Creating a Cultural Park Reproducing the Old Songdo Station of the Suin Line Closed in 1995

Restoration of Electric Locomotive Depot, Water Tower, and Passenger Cars; Steam Locomotive Replication
Dioramas and Immersive Content... Opening in June Next Year

Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, is set to actively promote a project to create a cultural park by recreating the old Suin Line station and steam locomotive, which was closed in 1995. On the 27th, the district announced that it will begin the restoration project of the Suin Line Songdo Station on the site of the Okryeon-dong Songdo Station area urban development project.

The district plans to restore the old Suin Line Songdo Station building on a 2,630㎡ site in Okryeon-dong 302 area and install replicas of the steam locomotive (narrow-gauge train) to develop the area into a cultural park.

In November last year, the narrow-gauge train turntable (rotating facility) and nearby water tower, excavated near the project site, were preserved and will be placed within the cultural park. A replica model of the Hyeogi steam locomotive, which actually operated on the Suin Line, will be produced and exhibited. The Hyeogi steam locomotive will not only be replicated in appearance but also made into an experiential content by enabling the wheels, related equipment (such as SIDE ROD), and locomotive steam to operate in place.

Inside the restored Songdo Station, a diorama (scale model) showing the use of the steam locomotive turntable will be created to allow visitors to reminisce about the old Suin Line.

Old Suin Line narrow-gauge train turntable (rotating facility) excavated in November last year [Photo provided by Yeonsu-gu, Incheon]

The district will soon complete the detailed design of the Songdo Station building and start park construction in the first half of this year, aiming to open the park to the public by June next year. Originally, this project was planned as part of the Yeonsu-gu value recreation project in 2016, and the first Songdo Station restoration project promotion committee was held in 2019. However, delays in the urban development project and changes in the implementer postponed the project until it resumed under the 8th local government administration.

The Suin Line was a narrow-gauge railway narrower than the standard gauge, established by Japan in 1937 to transport salt and grain, operating between Nam Incheon and Suwon Station. Initially operated by steam locomotives, diesel railcars were introduced in 1965, and the line operated until December 1995.

Songdo Station became the terminus when Nam Incheon Station was closed in 1973, shortening the operation to the Songdo?Suwon Station section. Currently, the turntable used for steam locomotive direction changes and the water tower for replenishing water have been confirmed.

Lee Jae-ho, mayor of Yeonsu-gu, said, "We plan to develop the Songdo Station area not only as a tourist resource but also as an educational place for children and a nostalgic space for the older generation." He added, "We also plan to link this project with downtown tourism and regional economic revitalization."