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KTX-Eum whisks travelers to Andong with lower emissions

Published: 18 May. 2022, 19:12 Updated: 18 May. 2022, 19:54

Seats on KTX-Eum, Korea's first domestically-developed high-speed train utilizing power distribution system [CHO JUNG-WOO]

Korea has introduced a high-speed train that employs a relatively new way of distributing power with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency.

The KTX-Eum is the country’s first domestically-developed high-speed train utilizing a power-distribution system.

Unlike the other high-speed trains, such as the KTX and the KTX-Sancheon, which are power-concentrated, the KTX-Eum distributes power evenly to each unit, enhancing the train’s ability to accelerate and decelerate.

In high-speed trains with power-concentrated units, power is concentrated at the head and tail of the train, meaning cars at either end serve as motor cars.

With the distributed power units and the absence of heavy motor cars, KTX-Eum is much lighter than other trains. This extends the operational lifetime of the railway and increases energy efficiency.

It is also capable of operating when one of the cars malfunctions since the locomotion is distributed in each unit.

“The power distribution units are now a worldwide trend in the railway industry,” said a spokesperson for Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail).

KTX-Eum is an electric multiple unit (EMU) manufactured by Hyundai Rotem and operated by Korail. EMUs are trains with self-propelled carriages run by electricity.

The train’s carbon emissions are low.

In line with the country’s 2050 carbon-neutral strategy, Korail is planning to reduce the number of diesel locomotives from 237 (according to 2021 data) to about 40 and replace them with EMUs, which will reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 70,000 tons per year.

KTX-Eum, which runs along the central line that connects North Gyeongsang and North Chungcheong, started operating in January 2021.

On May 17, the Korea JoongAng Daily took the KTX-Eum and toured the cultural city of Andong in North Gyeongsang, a city where the culture and history live.

KTX-Eum had a variety of features for a train.

Each seat has a wireless charger and a USB port for phones.

A wireless charging station, in particular, is a unique feature of KTX-Eum, as passengers can fully charge their phones during the ride without the need for a separate charger.

Wide and comfortable seats are accompanied by luggage space in each coach, as opposed to other KTX trains that have the space outside the coach.

The interior of the train has a window for each row unlike KTX-Sancheon, which has a window in between two rows of seats.

The wide window placed next to each seat allows passengers to enjoy the beautiful landscape outside on the way to Andong.

Outside view from KTX-Eum near Danyang, North Chungcheong. [CHO JUNG-WOO]

The 219.4-kilometer (136.3 miles) trip from Cheongnynagni station in Seoul to Andong station in North Gyeongsang took only 2 hours and 3 minutes, which is significantly reduced from the previous 4-hour trip, according to Korail.

The service has been used by 1.79 million passengers since the date of its opening in January 2021.

The central line is currently planned to be further developed, shortening the travel time even more once the railway from Dodam in North Chungcheong to Yeongcheon in North Gyeongsang opens.

Despite having many tourist spots, like Imcheonggak and Hahoe Village, Andong was not able to attract many tourists due to its difficult accessibility from Seoul.

With the new transportation and the lift of social distancing measures, the city expects many more visitors to come to the place to learn about the history and traditional cultures of Korea.

After social distancing measures were lifted, the number of tourists to Hahoe Village increased by 123.2 percent in the week of May 2 compared to that of the week of April 11.

According to the Andong Metropolitan Government, the number of tourists to Andong increased by 95 percent after social distancing measures were lifted.

The KTX-Eum now travels the newly opened railway to the new Andong station.

Imcheonggak is one of many sprawling jongga (traditional homes of aristocrats) in Andong, North Gyeongsang and was once the home of Seokju Lee Sang-ryong, a Korean independence fighter. [CHO JUNG-WOO]

With an inheritance of the culture and history of the city, Kweon Young-sae, mayor of Andong, shared expectations of more visitors in the future and the city’s plan to adopt smart technologies in order to become a more sustainable and futuristic city.

“By taking the low-carbon train, tourists can come from Seoul to Andong in just two hours. Also, with the support of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, we are planning to adopt information communication technology and build a futuristic city using smart technologies by implementing infrastructures such as smart crosswalks and eco-friendly houses,” he said during the tour.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [[email protected]]