Mugunghwa-ho explained

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Mugunghwa-ho
Type:Regional rail
Status:Operating
Locale:South Korea
First:January 1, 1984
Operator:Korail
Distance:Up to 8 hours
Seating:Economy Class (2+2)
Catering:Minicafe Vending Machine (on some trains only)[1]
Stock:Various carriage configurations including regular cars built between 1998 and 2004 and older cars built in the late 1980s~1990s
Rr:Mugunghwaho
Mr:Mugunghwaho

The Mugunghwa-ho is a class of train operated by Korail, the main railway operator of South Korea. Mugunghwa trains are Korail's slowest tier of trains stopping at a number of towns and villages, and operating over a number of lines that are not served by other trains. Journey times are generally twice that of KTX trains and 25% longer than ITX express trains.[2]

Along rural lines such as the Gyeongbuk Line, Mugunghwa-ho remain the only class of passenger train operating. They (and in some cases the Tonggeun) are the only trains to stop at many stations not served by Saemaeul-ho or KTX trains.

Mugunghwa are built to accommodate large numbers of standing passengers, and frequently have many more standees than sitting passengers during high season.

History

In 1980, new express train, named Udeung (우등, literally meaning Premium), was introduced. It was renamed Mugunghwa-ho, which was the name of an express train formerly operating in the 1960s. Today, all long-distance train classes that were formerly below Mugunghwa have been retired, thus Mugunghwa trains are now the cheapest class of trains to operate cross-country.

The Mugunghwa-ho takes its name from the hibiscus syriacus, the national flower of South Korea.

It is scheduled to be replaced by ITX-Maum in the future.

Carriages and equipment

Services

Since the retirement of Tongil-ho and Bidulgi-ho services, some of those trains are upgraded to Mugunghwa-ho trains, although they rather stop more stations. Although some of stations are closed from the retirements, stops of Mugunghwa-ho vary for each train. Listed below are lines & stops which are served by Mugunghwa-ho trains:

Note: Stops in bold are required stops.

Gyeongbu Line

Seoul, Yongsan, Yeongdeungpo, Anyang, Suwon, Osan, Seojeongni, Pyeongtaek, Seonghwan, Cheonan, Jeonui, Jochiwon, Bugang, Sintanjin, Daejeon, Okcheon, Iwon, Jitan, Simcheon, Yeongdong, Hwanggan, Chupungnyeong, Gimcheon, Gumi, Yangmok, Waegwan, Sindong, Daegu, Dongdaegu, Gyeongsan, Namseonghyeon, Cheongdo, Sangdong, Miryang, Samnangjin, Wondong, Mulgeum, Hwamyeong, Gupo, Sasang, Busan

Honam Line

Seodaejeon, Gyeryong, Yeonsan, Nonsan, Ganggyeong, Hamyeol, Iksan, Gimje, Sintaein, Jeongeup, Baegyangsa, Jangseong, GwangjuSongjeong, Naju, Dasi, Hampyeong, Muan, Mongtan, Illo, Imseong-ri, Mokpo

Jungang Line

Cheongnyangni, Deokso, Yangpyeong, Yongmun, Jipyeong, Seokbul, Ilsin, Maegok, Yangdong, Samsan, Seowonju, Wonju, Bongyang, Jecheon, Danyang, Punggi, Yeongju, Andong, Uiseong, Tap-ri, Hwabon, Sinnyeong, Bugyeongcheon, Yeongcheon, Ahwa, Singyeongju

Jeolla Line

Iksan, Samnye, Jeonju, Imsil, Osu, Namwon, Gokseong, Guryegu, Suncheon, Yeocheon, Yeosu Expo

Chungbuk Line

Daejeon, Sintanjin, Jochiwon, Osong, Cheongju, Ogeunjang, Cheongju Int'l Airport, Jeungpyeong, Eumseong, Judeok, Chungju, Samtan, Bongyang, Jecheon

Gyeongjeon Line

Samnangjin, Hallimjeong, Jinyeong, Jillye, Changwonjungang, Changwon, Masan, Jung-ri, Haman, Gunbuk, Banseong, Jinju, Wansa, Bukcheon, Hoengcheon, Hadong, Jinsang, Gwangyang, Suncheon, Beolgyo, Joseong, Yedang, Deungnyang, Boseong, Myeongbong, Iyang, Neungju, Hyocheon, Seogwangju, GwangjuSongjeong

Yeongdong Line

Yeongju, Bonghwa, Chunyang, Imgi, Hyeondong, Buncheon, Yangwon, Seungbu, Seokpo, Cheoram, Dongbaeksan, Dogye, Singi, Donghae

Taebaek Line

Jecheon, Yeongwol, Yemi, Mindungsan, Sabuk, Gohan, Taebaek, Dongbaeksan

Janghang Line

Cheonan, Asan, Onyangoncheon, Dogooncheon, Sillyewon, Yesan, Sapgyo, Hongseong, Gwangcheon, Cheongso, Daecheon, Ungcheon, Pangyo, Seocheon, Janghang, Gunsan, Daeya, Iksan

Donghae Line

Bujeon, Centum, Sinhaeundae, Gijang, Namchang, Taehwagang, Bugulsan, Singyeongju, Seogyeongju, Angang, Pohang, Wolpo, Jangsa, Ganggu, Yeongdeok

Gyeongbuk Line

Gimcheon, Oksan, Cheongni, Sangju, Hamchang, Jeomchon, Yonggung, Gaepo, Yecheon, Yeongju

Gwangju Line

GwangjuSongjeong, Geungnakgang, Gwangju

Daegu Line

Dongdaegu, Hayang, Yeongcheon

Incidents

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mugunghwa-ho South Korean Regional Trains Reviews, Photos & More. 2020-10-16. trainreview.com.
  2. Web site: Mugunghwa-ho South Korean Regional Trains Reviews, Photos & More. 2020-10-16. trainreview.com.
  3. Web site: Mugunghwa-ho South Korean Regional Trains Reviews, Photos & More. 2020-10-16. trainreview.com.
  4. Web site: Jung . Woo Young . Mugungwaha train derailed . 24 April 2016 . Kukje Newspaper Korea . Kuje Newspaper.