V-Train (Baekdudaegan Canyon Train)

KORAIL (Korea Railroad Corporation), with themed operations by KORAIL Tourism Development Co., Ltd.
South Korea
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The Journey

Navigate from Yeongju Station (Gyeongsangbuk-do, origin of the V-Train canyon service) to Cheoram Station (Gyeongsangbuk-do, canyon terminus; transfer point to Donghae Santa Train) across a span of 27.7km.

Scenery Highlights
  • Nakdong River V-shaped gorge (the deepest canyon segment between Seungbu and Cheoram)
  • Baekdudaegan mountain ridgeline — Korea's mythical 'backbone dragon' range
  • Sangju Valley canyon viewpoint at Seungbu Station
  • Yangwon Station canyon overlook
  • Buncheon Santa Village junction scenery
  • Bonghwa County mountain transition between Yeongju and Buncheon
  • Chunyang Mungyeongsaejae scenic rail-bike connection
  • Late-October crimson-foliage canyon colour peak
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    1.5 hours

  • Distance

    27.7 km

  • Est. Price

    Adult 14,800 KRW one-way standard; 22,000 KRW first-class. Children 6–12 half fare; under-6 free.

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

Refurbished Nuriro 8100-series diesel multiple unit (DMU); heritage 1960s–1970s interior design

Track Gauge

1,435 mm (standard gauge) on Yeongju–Buncheon; 1,067 mm (Cape gauge) on Taebaek Line Buncheon–Cheoram — gauge change at Buncheon

Braking Technology

Air brake system

Route Engineering Challenges

  • Operation through Baekdudaegan V-shaped gorge (steep canyon walls)

  • Steep Nakdong River valley gradients (~15–20‰ sustained through canyon section)

  • Whistle-stop operation for canyon photography (10-minute stops at Yangwon and Seungbu)

  • Open-window operation through canyon section (passenger safety protocols)

  • Gauge change at Buncheon Station (1,435 mm to 1,067 mm) — the only scheduled passenger operation across this corridor

  • Winter ice and snow on Taebaek mountain grades (November–March)

  • Single-track corridor with limited passing loops

  • Heritage rolling-stock maintenance at KORAIL Motive Power Workshop, Seoul

Route type

Round-trip scenic excursion (4 daily train numbers: #2511, #2512, #2513, #2514)

Launch

April 12, 2013 (KORAIL's first themed-tourist train)

Number of cars

3 (two first-class + one standard-class)

Total seats

126 (84 first-class + 42 standard)

Lines used

Yeongju Line + Taebaek Line

Gauge change

At Buncheon Station (1,435 mm to 1,067 mm Cape gauge)

Closed days

Monday and Tuesday

Operating season

Year-round except Monday/Tuesday (suspended 2020–2022 for COVID; resumed 2023)

Status

Active — seasonal tourist service, 2026 timetable verified against letskorail.com

Average speed

~30 km/h on canyon section (sightseeing pace)

Elevation gain

~250 m from Yeongju to Cheoram (Taebaek ridgeline climb)

Connections

Buncheon and Cheoram → Donghae Santa Train (Gangneung–Buncheon corridor); Chunyang → Mungyeongsaejae rail-bike

Operator parent

KORAIL (state national railway) / KORAIL Tourism Development Co., Ltd.

Operator founded

KORAIL 2005 (succeeded Korean National Railroad); KORAIL Tourism Development 2010

Region

Gyeongsangbuk-do interior (Yeongju / Bonghwa / Cheoram corridor)

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    1.5 hours

  • Distance

    27.7 km

  • Est. Price

    Adult 14,800 KRW one-way standard; 22,000 KRW first-class. Children 6–12 half fare; under-6 free.

Official Booking Provider