I was working in Korea from 2004 to 2008 and during my stay I tried to ride every line open to passengers. On one branch line trip from Jeongseon to Auraji I discovered that the line had a closed section extending approximately 7.2 kilometers to Kujulri station which had served a now abandoned coal mine. A railbike service now operated over this section.

Mary and I arranged to sample this service in April 2007 with the booking instruction was the request to go to Kujulri station to board our bike. Upon arrival we found the railbikes lined up beside a steam outline diesel locomotive and two semi open air passenger cars. Beside the station platform two old railway passenger cars had been re-imagined into a grasshopper shaped structure.

We were allocated a two person bike, others were for parties of four, and we were sent off at approximately one minute intervals. The majority of the route is downhill, passing down a winding river valley over bridges and though several tunnels. Great care had been taken to ensure safety with lighting in the longer tunnels and expanded metal laid between the rails on bridges to avoid trip hazards.

At about halfway there was a rest stop where everyone had a chance to stretch their legs and allow aching muscles some relief. Following this was a long tunnel with artistic lighting displays, it was curved so there was no “light at the end” until we came around the last bend. Arrival at Auraji revealed other passenger cars disguised as fish. The local train from Jeongseon had just arrived and while we were there the locomotive ran around the train ready to return.

After the last riders arrived the railbikes were all coupled together and when the steam outline diesel locomotive with the open cars arrived they were coupled to the railbikes. We boarded the open cars and returned to Kujulri station in fine style.

It was a very enjoyable day.