The KTX-Cheongryong (KoreanKTX-청룡; HanjaKTX-靑龍, formerly known as EMU-320) or Korail Class 160000 is a South Korean high-speed electrical multiple unit train manufactured by Hyundai Rotem and operated by Korail and SR Corporation.

KTX-Cheongryong
KTX-Cheongryong at Seoul station
ManufacturerHyundai Rotem
Built atChangwon, South Korea
Family nameKTX
Constructed2020–present
Entered service2024
Number under construction31 sets
Number built16 vehicles (2 sets)
Number in service16 vehicles (2 sets)
Formation8-car sets
TC-M'-M-M-M-M-M'-TC
  • TC - Trailer Control car
  • M - Motor car
  • M' - Motor car with Pantograph
Fleet numbers601–619
Capacity515 passengers
OperatorsKorail
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Train length199.1 m (653 ft 2+916 in)
Car lengthTC 26.25 m (86 ft 1+716 in)
M, M' 23.50 m (77 ft 1+316 in)
Width3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
Height4.0 m (13 ft 1+12 in)
Doors2 per side per end car, 1 per side per intermediate car
Maximum speed
  • Service:
  • 305 km/h (190 mph)
  • Design (commercial speed):
  • 320 km/h (200 mph)
  • Design (max speed):
  • 352 km/h (220 mph)
Traction systemIGBTVVVF
Traction motors24 × 380 kW asynchronous 3-phase AC
Power output9,120 kW (12,230 hp)
Acceleration2.0 km/(h⋅s) (1.2 mph/s)
Electric system(s)25 kV 60 Hz AC overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classification2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′
Braking system(s)Eddy current, regenerative, rheostatic, disc, pneumatic
Safety system(s)TVM 430 (ATC), ATP, ATS
Coupling systemScharfenberg
Multiple workingYes (2 sets)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

History

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In September 2016, Korail held a contest for the public to decide the design of the new models.[1][2][unreliable source?] After the development of HEMU-430X, Hyundai-Rotem and Korail signed an agreement in December 2016 for supplying high speed trains that are electric multiple units, the first of its kind in South Korea in commercial service (the HEMU-430X is also an electric multiple unit, but it is not for service and mass production). The order was for two variants: 2 eight-car EMU-320 units (with an operating speed of 320 km/h) and 19 six-car EMU-260 units, to be delivered around 2020–2021.[3][4][5] In 2017, a mockup of the chosen design was exhibited to the public to promote the sister train (EMU-260) and receive feedback.[6]

On March 28, 2022, it was reported that the EMU-320 consisting of 25 units for Korail and 19 units for SR Corporation were scheduled to be delivered from December 2023.[7] Elements of the EMU-320 had to be re-designed due to serious concerns about excessive noise levels in the cab and passenger compartments, a key reason for its delay. Measures including improving the pantograph's shape and adding sound insulation to the ceiling and floor have been taken to reduce noise levels. Hyundai-Rotem paid 19 billion won in damages for the delay in delivery.[8] In November 2023, Korail was to take deliveries and begin operations in 2024.[9]

Hyundai Rotem built 2 pre-series sets following a 2016 contract, which are undergoing testing. The 17 trainsets ordered by Korail are scheduled to be delivered between April 2027 and March 2028.[10]

The model was officially renamed "KTX-Cheongryong" (KTX-청룡) in April 2024.[11][unreliable source?]

On May 1, 2024, the train entered service on the Gyeongbu high-speed railway and Honam high-speed railway.[12]

Design

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Technology incorporated in these trains is derived from the experimental HEMU-430X train previously tested by Korail. The EMU-320 will feature the same design as KTX-Eum trains, however the formation will consist of eight cars as opposed to six cars.[1][2] Unlike the previous generation of KTX trains, the EMU-320 uses distributed traction with driving revenue cars at each end and six powered intermediate cars as opposed to a TGV-style power car-unpowered trailer configuration.[4][13]

Aerodynamic changes to the front of the train are claimed to offer 10% lower resistance compared to previous high speed trains in South Korea. Trains will be equipped with sliding steps to cater for high and low platform heights. Seats in both first and second class will be capable of being rotated to face the direction of travel from a single control unit.[10]

The train can accelerate from 0 to 300 km/h (0 to 186 mph) in 212 seconds, in contrast to 316 seconds for the KTX-Sancheon.[14]

Interior

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Unlike KTX-I and KTX-Sancheon, the seats on KTX-Cheongryong feature more leg room, wider armrests, USB ports, wireless charging pads, and entertainment displays similar to the inflight entertainment system found on aircraft.[4] In addition, every seat is aligned with a window.[4]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Notice - Power Dispersion High Speed Vehicle Design Preference Survey (~9.15)". Korail (in Korean). November 6, 2019. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  2. ^ a b 국내 최초로 동력분산식 고속열차 도입?. Naver (in Korean). November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  3. ^ "Korail to receive distributed power E320 EMUs in 2019". Railway Gazette International. September 19, 2018. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d 시속 421km로 달리다! 동력분산식 고속차량 '해무' HEMU-430X. Hyundai Rotem Blog (in Korean). November 8, 2017. Archived from the original on November 4, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  5. ^ 적자 허덕이는데...코레일에 고속열차 강매한 국토부. SBS News (in Korean). October 8, 2017. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  6. ^ 2020년 도입되는 차세대 고속열차! 출고식을 앞둔 EMU-250. Hyundai Rotem Blog (in Korean). August 29, 2019. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  7. ^ Geum, Jun-hyuk (March 28, 2022). 탄소중립 바람타고 친환경 열차 달린다...속도는↑ 탄소배출은↓ [Eco-friendly trains run on carbon-neutral winds... The speed is ↑ The carbon emission is ↓] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2022 – via Naver.
  8. ^ [단독] "청력장애 생길 수준" 차세대 KTX '이음-320' 굴욕 [[Exclusive] "Level of hearing impairment" Next-generation KTX 'EMU-320' humiliation]. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 17, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  9. ^ [시승기] 내년부터 운행될 3.5세대 KTX... 'EMU-320' 타보니. ChosunBiz (in Korean). November 7, 2023. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Zelki, Benjámin (September 11, 2023). "South Korea: Next-generation high speed trains on test". Railway Gazette International. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  11. ^ Woo, Jae-yoon (April 2, 2024). "New High Speed Train Name KTX-Cheongryong Starting May, Gyeongbu and Honam lines will be introduced". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Preston, Robert (May 3, 2024). "Korail launches KTX-Cheongryong high-speed train". International Railway Journal. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  13. ^ 고속열차 더 빨라진다...코레일, 300km/h 넘는 차세대 차량 구매. ET News (in Korean). October 25, 2016. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  14. ^ Robert, Preston (May 3, 2024). "Korail launches KTX-Cheongryong high-speed train". International Railway Journal. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
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