The Kangan Line, also spelled Kang'an Line, is a non-electrified standard-gauge freight-only secondary line of the Korean State Railway located entirely within Sinŭiju-si, North P'yŏngan Province, North Korea, running from Sinŭiju on the P'yŏngŭi Line to Kang'an.[1]

Kang'an Line
Map of the area circa 1930; much of the current
Kang'an Line can be seen along the south side of the river
Overview
Native name강안선 (江岸線)
StatusOperational
OwnerKorean State Railway
LocaleSinŭiju-si, North P'yŏngan
Termini
Stations2
Service
TypeHeavy rail, Freight rail
Operator(s)Korean State Railway
History
Opened1911
Technical
Line length1.8 km (1.1 mi)
Number of tracksSingle track
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

Sinŭiju University of Light Industry
Locomotive depot
0.0
Sinŭiju Ch'ŏngnyŏn
Sinŭiju Port
1.1
Pinjŏng
Closed
Sinŭiju Customs Office
1.8
Kang'an
Passenger car shops
Coal yard
Sinŭiju Streptomycin Factory
Kangan Line
Chosŏn'gŭl
강안선
Hancha
江岸線
Revised RomanizationGanganseon
McCune–ReischauerKangansŏn

History

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For the original line's history and other information prior to 1945, see Gyeongui Line (1904–1945).

In 1911, the Yalu River Railway Bridge was completed across the Yalu River between Sinŭiju and Andong (now Dandong), China, connecting the Kyŏngŭi Line to the Anfeng Line of the South Manchuria Railway. Work to convert the Anfeng Line from 762 mm (2 ft 6.0 in) narrow gauge to standard gauge was completed at the same time, thus connecting the capitals of Korea and China with a continuous railway line via and Manchuria.

As a result, Sentetsu opened a new station in Sinŭiju (on the site of today's Sinŭiju Ch'ŏngnyŏn Station), with the original station, located 1.8 km (1.1 mi) northwest of the new station, being renamed Lower Sinŭiju Station.[2]

On 1 November 1935, Sentetsu opened Pinjŏng Station between Sinŭiju and Lower Sinŭiju stations,[3] but closed it again on 15 November 1941.[4]

On 1 June 1936, Lower Sinŭiju station was renamed Sinŭiju Kang'an Station, and the 1.8 km (1.1 mi) line from Sinŭiju Station to Sinŭiju Kang'an Station was detached from the Kyŏngŭi Line to become the Kang'an Line.[5]

Passenger service on the Kang'an Line was discontinued on 31 March 1943,[6] with general (public) freight traffic being relocated from Sinŭiju Kang'an to Sinŭiju station on 20 December of that year.[7]

Services

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View of Sinŭiju Port from the river.

The Kang'an Line is used to serve the various industries in Sinŭiju, such as the Sinŭiju Streptomycin Factory and the Sinŭiju Chemical Fibre Complex (called the "Chōsen Paper Mills, Ltd." prior to 1945[8]). There is also a large workshop for maintenance of passenger cars at Kang'an Station.

Route

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A yellow background in the "Distance" box indicates that section of the line is not electrified.

Distance (km) Station Name Former Name
Total S2S Transcribed Chosŏn'gŭl (Hanja) Transcribed Chosŏn'gŭl (Hanja) Connections
0.0 0.0 Sinŭiju Ch'ŏngnyŏn 신의주청년
(新義州靑年)
Sinŭiju 신의주 (新義州) P'yŏngŭi Line
1.1 1.1 Pinjŏng 빈정 (濱町) Open 1 November 1935
to 15 November 1941.
0
1.8 1.8 Kang'an 강안 (江岸) Sinŭiju Hagŭpso (1911−1936)
Sinŭiju Kang'an (1936−1945)
신의주하급소
(新義州荷扱所)
신의주강안
(新義州江岸)

References

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  1. ^ Kokubu, Hayato, 将軍様の鉄道 (Shōgun-sama no Tetsudō); ISBN 978-4-10-303731-6
  2. ^ 朝鮮總督府官報 (The Public Journal of the Governor-General of Korea), Meiji, 24 November 1911
  3. ^ 朝鮮總督府官報 (The Public Journal of the Governor-General of Korea), Shōwa Nr. 2631, 19 October 1935
  4. ^ 朝鮮總督府官報 (The Public Journal of the Governor-General of Korea), Shōwa Nr. 4416, 11 October 1941.
  5. ^ 朝鮮總督府官報 (The Public Journal of the Governor-General of Korea), Shōwa Nr. 2785, 28 April 1936.
  6. ^ 朝鮮總督府官報 (The Public Journal of the Governor-General of Korea), Shōwa Nr. 4845, 29 March 1943
  7. ^ 朝鮮總督府官報 (The Public Journal of the Governor-General of Korea), Shōwa Nr. 5065, 20 December 1943.
  8. ^ Official Guide to Eastern Asia vol. 1 Chōsen & Manchuria, Siberia, p. 138, Department of Railways, Tokyo, 1920