The Munch'ŏnhang Line, or Munch'ŏn Port Line, also known as the Koam Line, is a non-electrified railway line of the Korean State Railway in Kangwŏn Province, North Korea, connecting Ongp'yŏng on the Kangwŏn Line with Tapchon.[1]

Munch'ŏn Port Line
Overview
Other name(s)Koam Line 고암선 (庫岩線)
Native name문천항선 (文川港線)
StatusOperational
OwnerChosen Anthracite Co. Railway (1943–1945)
Korean State Railway (since 1945)
LocaleKangwŏn
Termini
Stations3
Service
TypeHeavy rail, Freight rail
Regional rail
History
Opened17 December 1943 (Ongp'yŏng–Koam)
? (Koam–Sinhŭngri)
25 May 2018 (Sinhŭngri–Tapch'ŏn)
Technical
Line length14.8 km (9.2 mi)
Number of tracksSingle track
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Route map

14.8
T'apchon
(tunnel appx 245 m (804 ft))
(causeway appx 400 m (1,300 ft))
(bridge appx 600 m (2,000 ft))
11.3
October 3 Factory
10.3
Sinhŭngri
Closed
Sinhŭng-ri
(tunnel appx 120 m (390 ft))
Kosŏng-ri
Kangwŏn Line towards Kowŏn
7.4
Koam
0.0
Ongp'yŏng
(bridge appx 65 m (213 ft))
Kangwŏn Line towards Wŏnsan
Munchonhang Line
Chosŏn'gŭl
문천항선
Hancha
Revised RomanizationMuncheonhang-seon
McCune–ReischauerMunch'ŏnhang-sŏn

History

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The line was originally opened by the Chosen Anthracite Company (Japanese: 朝鮮無煙炭株式会社, Chōsen Muentan Kabushiki Kaisha, Korean: 조선 무연탄 주식회사, Chosŏn Muyŏnt'an Chusikhoesa) on 17 December 1943 as a privately owned railway from Munch'ŏn Station on the Hamgyŏng Line (now called Ok'pyŏng Station) to Wŏnsanbukhang Station (now called Koam Station).[2] Later, the line was extended some time after the Korean War from Koam to Sinhŭng-ri.

An extension from Sinhŭng-ri to a newly developed fishing community at T'apchol-li on the Sŏngjŏn Peninsula, via a causeway and the 600 m (2,000 ft) Sŏkchon Bay Bridge (석전만다리), was opened on 25 May 2018; the opening ceremony included an inspection of the line by Kim Jong-un.[3]

Services

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This line serves the May 27 Fishery Station at Koam, the October 3 Factory at Sinhŭng-ri, and the fishing community at Tapch'ŏl-li.

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 Ongp'yŏng 옥평 (玉坪) Munch'ŏn 문천 (文川) Kangwŏn Line
7.4 7.4 Koam 고암 (庫巖) Wŏnsanbukhang
(Wŏnsan North Port)
원산북항
(元山北港)
10.3 2.9 Sinhŭngri 신흥리 (新興里) Closed
11.3 1.0 October 3 Factory 10.3 공장 (10.3工場)
14.8 3.5 Tapch'on 답촌 (畓村)

External Media

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Video report on the opening ceremony and inaugural train across the Sŏkchon Bay Bridge (in Korean)

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. ^ 朝鮮総督府官報 (The Public Journal of the Governor-General of Korea), Shōwa No. 5070, 27 December 1943
  3. ^ Kim Jong Un Inspects Completed Koam-Tapchon Railways