Super Rapid Train Explained

Box Width:30em
Super Rapid Train (SRT)
Status:Operating
Locale:South Korea
First:[1]
Operator:SR Corporation
End: or
Access:Fully accessible
Catering:Trolley service
Entertainment:Yes
Baggage:Yes
Gauge: standard gauge
El:25 kV/60 Hz overhead catenary
Speed:Up to 305kph

The Super Rapid Train,[2] often known as SRT, is a high-speed rail service operated by SR Corporation. The service starts at Suseo station in southeast Seoul and terminates at either Busan station or Mokpo station.

Around 86% of the train service runs 50 meters underground between Suseo and Cheonan-Asan stations. Dongtan station, the first station after departing from Suseo, is the first underground high-speed railway station in Korea. The SRT runs the Seoul–Busan route 8 minutes faster than KTX as it travels exclusively on dedicated Suseo–Pyeongtaek, Gyeongbu and Honam HSR lines.[3] The Suseo-Pyeongtaek HSR line was built exclusively for this service.[4]

Branding

Before official announcement by SR, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport used tentative term called Suseo High-speed Railway (수서고속철도).[5]

On October 12, 2015, SR proposed three candidate name for new high-speed rail service – SRT (Super Rapid Train), HSR (High-speed train of SR), SRH (SR High-speed train) in which SRT (Super Rapid Train) was chosen.[6]

Electrification

The SRT operates 25 kV AC on the entire line and interconnection with Korail is 1.5 kV DC. At Suseo Station, the power comes from rigid overhead lines before transitioning to a 1500mm overhead catenary wire after leaving the station.

Route

Legend

All trains stop
Some trains stop
Few trains stop

Suseo–Busan

StationDistance (from Suseo)Stopping
kmmi
0.00.0
32.620.2
53.633.3
78.748.9
107.366.6
142.588.5
216.3134.4
269.4167.3
318.4197.8
348.4216.4
400.1248.6

Suseo–Mokpo

StationDistance (from Suseo)Stopping
kmmi
0.00.0
32.620.2
53.633.3
78.748.9
107.366.6
151.193.8
197.1122.4
239.2148.6
289.7189.0
305.5189.8
356.5221.5

Rolling stock

KTX-Sancheon

See main article: KTX-Sancheon.

The train service is operated using 22 KTX-Sancheon Class 120000 train sets and 10 KTX-Sancheon Class 130000 train sets. Class 120000 train sets was originally operated by Korail's KTX service before it was transferred to SR at the end of 2016, while Class 130000 train sets are new builds.[7]

Demand for extension

Since Super Rapid Train only has two routes, there are many local cities that only KTX serves. In November 2016, Jeonju and Yeosu urged the SR Corporation to run trains on the Jeolla Line.[8] In December 2016, the mayor of Pohang proposed running SRT service to Pohang station using the Donghae Line[9] In January 2021, the mayor of Changwon urged the SR Corporation to run SRT service to Changwon station using the Gyeongjeon Line.[10]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Suseo High Speed Railway Opens December 9. Korea Tourism Organisation. November 23, 2016. November 21, 2016.
  2. Web site: Bullet trains change large hospitals' bottom lines. Korea Biomedical Review. Lee Min-ju. July 11, 2017. January 20, 2021.
  3. Web site: SRT Train Korea Suseo High Speed Railway - Korea Trains . 2024-08-04 . www.koreatrains.com . en.
  4. Web site: SRT to start operation next month . November 2, 2016. The Korea Times. February 17, 2017.
  5. Web site: 2016.12.9, 드디어 「수서고속철도」가 개통됩니다. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. January 25, 2021.
  6. News: Seunghyeon. Kim. October 12, 2015. SR "새 고속열차명 'SRT·HSR·SRH' 중 골라주세요". SR says "Please choose name of the new high-speed railway - between SRT, HSR, SRH. Korean. NewsPim. Seoul. January 25, 2021.
  7. Web site: Korea opens Suseo high-speed line. Rail Journal. Andy Tebay. December 9, 2016. January 20, 2021.
  8. News: Jeonghwan. Lim. November 16, 2016. SRT 전라선도 운행하라… 전주·여수 등 7개 시군 한 목소리. SRT should also be operated on Jella Line. Korean. Newdaily Economics. Seoul. January 25, 2021.
  9. News: Jeongno. Park. December 23, 2016. 이강덕 포항시장, KTX 증편과 SRT 노선 건의. Mayor of Pohang proposed increasing KTX service and introducing SRT service in Pohang. Korean. No Cut News. Seoul. January 25, 2021.
  10. News: Wonjun. Ahn. January 12, 2017. 경남 창원시, 수서발 고속철도 및 KTX 연장 운행과 증편 요구. Changwon urged extension of Suseo High-speed Rail and increase of KTX service. Korean. Segye Ilbo. Seoul. January 25, 2021.