Fast High-speed Railway

Less air resistance and lower weight

Both ends designed after the shape of the dolphin

In order to reduce air resistance, the front of the train’s motive power unit is designed after the streamlined shape of a shark with a traditional Korean touch. Also, all of the equipment mounted under the train is hidden, and even window sills and the small gaps between cars are minimized for less air resistance.
Power of 18,200 horsepower

12 traction motors

The source of power that enables the train to run at 300km/hr is 12 traction motors of 1,130kW. The total power of motors adds up to 13,560kW, which is equivalent to 18,200 horsepower, meaning that it is the same as 18,200 horses pulling the train.

Streamlined front resembling the cherry salmon

The KTX-Sancheon has a streamlined front shaped like the cherry salmon to minimize air resistance.

With an optimized energy efficiency and reduced air resistance, the time needed for the KTX-Sancheon to reach the speed of 300km/hr has been reduced to 316 seconds, compared with from 365 seconds for the KTX. Its car body is built with aluminum alloy to make a lighter and more robust train, improving energy efficiency and performance at the same time.
The power of 11,796 horsepower

8 traction motors

The KTX-Sancheon uses induction motors (not having slip rings and exciting circuits) as the traction motor generating the propulsion to facilitate maintenance, while the KTX uses synchronous motors. The KTX-Sancheon uses 8 traction motors of 1,100kW that generate 11,796 horsepower (or 8,800kW) in total.

Articulated bogie

Non-articulated bogie

Lighter articulated bogies While conventional trains have two bogies for each train car, high-speed trains have only one articulated bogie between cars. This is one of the many devices incorporated to reduce the weight of the train.