Juche Electric Multiple unit - North Korea's High-speed train?

[Socimi]

This is the Juche EMU. Information is scarse.

What's known is that it's 4-car 3000v DC electric multiple unit built in 1976.

 

http://trains-worldexpresses.com/500/518-02as.JPG

 

Seems to be based off the Soviet-built ER200 (1974)

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ER200

 

As of today it operates local trains 311-312 / 313-314 between Pyongyang and Paesanjŏm, and according to this wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyongra_Line

"intended for commuter use by scientists"

 

Does someone has more info?

 

 

[Suica]

Well, all I found is a blog with an early photo and another stamp from 1976. Also a Japanese explanation text for that stamp:

 

Translation:

First of all, the first stamp is the first express train "North Korea" subject. It appeared in 1976, it seems that the name was attached from North Korean political thought "subject thought".

There are also a lot of mysteries, that the electrification system of North Korea is an alternating-used car despite the direct current, and there is no evidence that it ran across the country for the name of the "subject" number (in 1998 It was finally operated seriously.) There are.

There is a rumor that it resembles Japan's "Kodama", but let's cheat on there.

But it is somewhat sad that there is a rumor that there is no air conditioner.

By the way, there was a cooling device in the "Aji" which was running in Manchuria before World War II.

 

And another photo accompanied by a Korean text:

 

Translation:

It is a limited express train built in the 1970s with the motif of Russian ER200 type electric car. It is operated as a 4-unit one-piece system, and it is used for commuting from Pyongyang station to Baesan station starting from June 23, 1998.

 

Unlike the original plan, which was aimed at 'high-speed railway', it is said that the speed is about one hour in the 38km section of Pyongyang-Baesan point, and among the Japanese railroad enthusiasts, it is said that the design of the 485 train was inspired.

 

I got the glory to decorate the cover of the physical textbook of high school (..).

 

 

 

Edited July 15, 2017 by Suica

[kvp]

If it was really based on the soviet design, then imho it was closer technically to a jnr 101 series with the nose of an early tgv. Being a single set, there is not much to say, but imho the chance that this train is still operational is low. It did look cool though.

[Suica]

Being a single set, there is not much to say, but imho the chance that this train is still operational is low. It did look cool though.

This is my guess as well. As it only started operation in 1998, they probably just pulled it from some yard because they were in desperate need for rolling stock. It was also about that time they started converting the former East-Berlin and Chinese metro trains to 3000V DC overhead catenary to use them for regional services.

Edited July 15, 2017 by Suica

[Socimi]

Also found this tweet by user https://twitter.com/KPA_1953

 

https://twitter.com/kpa_1953/status/663718333657645057

 

It had some cool paintjobs too.

Edited July 15, 2017 by Socimi

[westfalen]

I just like "intended for commuter use by scientists".

[Suica]

I just like "intended for commuter use by scientists".

Yeah, I wonder what kind of "science" that would be... :^)

[Nick_Burman]

Yeah, I wonder what kind of "science" that would be... :^)

 

Rocket science, of course! :)

 

Cheers NB