Taebaek Line

Taebaek Line
Overview
Native name태백선(太白線)
StatusOperational
OwnerKorea Rail Network Authority
LocaleNorth Chungcheong
Gangwon
Termini
Stations21
Service
TypeHeavy rail, Passenger/Freight
Regional rail
Operator(s)Korail
History
OpenedStages between 1955-1973
Technical
Line length104.1 km (64.7 mi)
Number of tracksDouble track(Jecheon–Ipseok-ri)
Single track(Ipseok-ri–Baeksan)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification25 kV/60 Hz AC Catenary
Route map

km
0.0
Jecheon
5.0
Jangnak
9.8
Songhak
13.1
Ipseok-ri
17.7
Ssangyong
25.3
Yeondang
Pyeongchang River
31.0
Cheongnyeongpo
34.1
Yeongwol
36.8
Tanbu
41.7
Yeonha
48.4
Seokang
51.5
Yemi
58.1
Jodong
62.5
Jamiwon
69.2
Mindungsan
75.2
Sabuk
79.8
Gohan
Jeongam Tunnel
88.8
Chujeon
94.8
Taebaek
97.8
Mungok
102.3
Dongbeaksan
103.5
Baeksan

signal box
Taebaek Line
Hangul
태백선
Hanja
太白線
Revised RomanizationTaebaekseon
McCune–ReischauerT'aebaeksŏn

Taebaek Line is a single-track electrified railway mainline connecting Jecheon station to Baeksan station in South Korea. At its two ends, the Taebaek Line connects to the Jungang Line and Yeongdong Line. The line was originally two spur lines, which were built across difficult mountainous terrain in stages, before a connection was built. The line includes the steepest section of the South Korean network, a short parallel line that is operated as a second track on the section includes South Korea's longest spiral tunnel. The centerpiece of the last-built section west of Taebaek, is a tunnel that was the longest in South Korea at the time of its construction, and Chujeon Station at the eastern end of the tunnel is the highest altitude in South Korea at 855 m (2,805 ft). In passenger traffic, the line is served by cross-country passenger trains connecting the capital Seoul with Korea's east coast. In freight traffic, while coal transport declined, the line carries significant cement transport. In the winter, regular special trains take tourists along the scenic route.