Line 2
Seoul Metro 2000-series
Before reading this section, it is recommended to read the "Brief Intro to Numbering" section on the Trains page.
First Generation (Rheostat)
The first generation of Seoul Metro 2000-series trains were delivered starting in 1980 by Daewoo Heavy Industries. The initial batch, built from 1980 to 1982, produced 14 four-car trains.
The design of these trains are reminiscent of the Korail Class 1000 and Seoul Metro 1000-series trains, the major difference being he absence of the large center door in the front of the cab. Original plans for the subway would have seen multiple trains linked together, with the center door providing access between trains. Soon, however, this plan was abandoned, and this design feature was no longer necessary.
These trains used newer, more powerful Hitachi rheostatic propulsion units, compared to the ones installed on Korail Class 1000 and Seoul Metro 1000-series trains.
The car numbering was as follows:
20XX-Mc (Cab, Auxiliary power supply, air compressor, battery, towing motor)
21XX-M' (Pantograph, main controller, main resistor, propulsion controller, towing motor)
23XX-M'
25XX-Mc
The trains were numbered 2-01~2-14.
A rheostat-powered 2000-series train (number unknown, could be assumed 2-01), making its maiden journey in the opening of Line 2 on October 31, 1980.
In 1986, trains 2-01~2-08 received two unpowered cars each to become six-car trains. Train 2-09 was extended in the same manner in 1990.
The car numbering was now as follows:
20XX-Mc
21XX-M'
26XX-T (Unpowered car)
27XX-T
23XX-M'
25XX-Mc
In 1993, trains 2-01~2-05 received another four cars each to become ten-car trains. The ten-car numbering was as follows:
20XX-Mc
21XX-M'
26XX-T
27XX-T
22XX-M'
24XX-M (Auxiliary power supply, air compressor, capacitor, towing motor)
28XX-T
29XX-T
23XX-M'
25XX-Mc
In 2005, trains 2-06~2-09 and 2-12~2-14 were renumbered to 2-45~2-48 and 2-58~2-60, respectively.
These trains were retired starting in 2005. 2-01~2-11 were retired in 2005, and 2-12~2-14 in 2007. The newer cars were kept for later use. Train 2-01 was preserved.
Current train 2-56. The rebuild featured LED destination signs and run numbers, along with an updated front end. This seemed to be the "standard" front end design for Seoul Metro trains during the 1990s to early 2000s.
By LERK, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2450510
The newer cars were rebuilt and used to from 5 new trains, 2-45~2-48 and 2-56. 2-45~2-48 are six cars long, and 2-56 is four cars long.
All trains use powered cars built in 1993. Train 2-45 uses two unpowered cars built in 1990 from train 2-09. Trains 2-46~2-48 originally used 1986-built unpowered cars from trains 2-01, 2-04, and 2-05. In 2008, those cars were replaced with 1993-built cars from trains 2-64~2-66 when those trains were retired.
The car numbering was updated once again. Equipment remains the same:
Four cars:
20XX-Mc
21XX-M'
22XX-M'
23XX-Mc
Six cars:
20XX-Mc
21XX-M'
22XX-T
23XX-T
24XX-M'
25XX-Mc
The leading cars on train 2-45 have had their doors retrofitted with ones from first generation 1000-series train 1-01/02. You can see the old doors that train 2-45 had on train 1-01/02 in this video.
These trains remain in service today. Trains 2-45 and 2-56 will be retired on December 31, 2020; 2-46~2-48 will be retired on September 17, 2021. Trains 2-45~2-48 run on the Sinjeong Branch of Line 2, while train 2-56 runs on the Seongsu Branch. 2-45~2-48 are stored at the Sinjeong Depot, while 2-56 is stored at the Gunja Depot.
First Generation (MELCO Chopper)
In 1983, 25 more trains were built, numbered 2-15~2-39. All trains were four cars long, with the exception of train 2-39, which was six cars long.
These trains were powered with chopper controls from MELCO (Mitsubishi Electric).
Other than the propulsion system, everything else about these design-wise was the same as the rheostat trains. The numbering system was also shared.
In 1989, 13 more trains were built under this specification, 2-40~2-52. They were all built as six-car trains.
Train 2-13, formerly 2-52.
By skinnylawyer from Los Angeles, California, USA - Seoul Subway Line 2 서울지하철 2호선, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17907450
In 1986, trains 2-15~2-38 received two unpowered cars each to become six-car trains. In 1991, trains 2-28~2-38 and 2-40~2-52 received another four cars to become ten-car trains. Trains 2-15~2-27 and 2-39 were extended in the same manner in 1992.
The 1983-built trains were retired from 2007 to 2008. Once again, the newer cars were kept for later use.
The newer cars were rebuilt and reorganized into eight new trains, numbered 2-32~2-39. All trains were ten cars long. Trains 2-37~2-39 use cars built in 1991, and trains 2-32~2-35 use cars built in 1992. Train 2-36 uses a mix of 1991 and 1992-built cars.
The 1991 trains feature older, two-piece sliding side windows. The 1992 trains have three-piece retractable side windows. Train 2-36 features both designs.
Also during this time, trains 2-45~2-52 were renumbered to 2-06~2-13.
Train 2-33. Once again, the "standard" Seoul Metro front end can be seen.
By Mtattrain - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69578580
Initially, the ten-car numbering was the same as the rheostatic trains listed above. Today, however, this is the current setup:
20XX-Mc (Cab, auxiliary power supply, air compressor, capacitor, towing motor)
21XX-M' (Pantograph, propulsion controller, towing motor)
22XX-T (Unpowered car)
23XX-T
24XX-M'
25XX-M (Auxiliary power supply, air compressor, capacitor, towing motor)
26XX-T
27XX-T
28XX-M'
29XX-Mc
Trains 2-12 and 2-13 were retrofitted with LED destination signs.
In 2011, all trains received overhead LCD monitors in the interior.
On May 2, 2014, trains 2-12 and 2-39 collided at Sangwangsimni Station, causing 238 injuries. Four cars were salvaged from train 2-12 and replaced the four wrecked cars on 2-39. This train was retired in June 2016.
Video of the repaired train 2-39 in January 2016
The 1989-built trains were retired from 2018 to 2019. Rebuilt train 2-36 was also retired in 2019, with 2-32 and 2-34 following in April 2020. Train 2-38 was retired in July 2020. The rest remain in service. Train 2-37 will be retired on September 1, 2020, while trains 2-33 and 2-35 will be retired on October 1, 2020. These trains are stored at Sinjeong.
The Sangwangshimni accident. Shown here is damage to train 2-12.
By Sim1992 - 자작, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32559185
First Generation (GEC Chopper)
From 1983 to 1984, 15 more trains were built, numbered 2-61~2-75. All were built as six-car trains.
These trains used chopper controls from GEC. They had a slight bit more overall power output than the MELCO units.
The numbering at the time of their introduction remained the same as the rheostat and MELCO trains, but the equipment per car was different:
20XX-Tc (Unpowered leading car)
21XX-M (Auxiliary power supply, battery, propulsion control device, towing motor)
26XX-M' (Pantograph, air compressor, propulsion control device, towing motor)
27XX-M
23XX-M'
25XX-Tc
These trains were extended to ten cars using newer cars built in 1991 and 1993. The car numbering was now as follows:
20XX-Tc
21XX-M
26XX-M'
27XX-M
22XX-M'
24XX-T1 (Unpowered car)
28XX-T (Unpowered car)
29XX-M
23XX-M'
25XX-Tc
These trains were retired from 2007 to 2008. Their newer cars were rebuilt and reorganized into five new ten-car trains, 2-73~2-77. Trains 2-73 and 2-74 use cars built in 1991, while 2-75~2-77 use cars built in 1993. Like the MELCO trains, the 1993 trains feature newer three-piece retractable side windows, while the 1991 trains have two-piece sliding windows.
At this point, car numbering had been updated to the more linear format (20XX-29XX).
All trains recieved overhead LCD monitors in 2011 in the same manner as the MELCO trains.
Trains 2-73 and 2-74 were retired in April 2020. Train 2-75 was retired in June 2020, and train 2-76 followed in July. Train 2-77 was retired later that month, ending the service life of the GEC trains.
Continuation Generation
With increasing ridership on Line 2 requiring the need for more trains, four more first generation-spec trains were built in 1993 and 1994: 2-53 and 2-93~2-95. Train 2-53 uses MELCO chopper units, while trains 2-93~2-95 use GEC chopper units. All trains were built with ten cars.
Train 2-14.
By Subway06 - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5138922
Train 2-53 was renumbered to 2-14.
All trains received overhead LCD monitors in 2011.
Train 2-94 was wrecked in a collision with 1000-series train 1-12 at the Gunja Depot in 2019 and was prematurely retired. Train 2-14 was retired in April 2020, due to its replacement train already being in service. The rest remain in service, and will be retired on December 31, 2021. They are stored at Gunja.
There is lots of speculation whether any of the chopper trains will be preserved. While the trains themselves have been modified significantly since their introduction and hold little preservation value, they hold a lot of significance. These trains have been the face of Line 2 for the majority of its history, and hold a special place with many citizens.
Second Generation
The second generation trains were introduced in two batches starting in 2005. They were built by Hyundai Rotem. As they were the first new trains to be designed for Line 2 in more than two decades, there were many new features compared to the first generation.
The car body is now made of stainless steel. The front end design was changed heavily. The side windows were changed to a single piece. The propulsion system is a Mitsubishi VVVF-IGBT unit, with an IPM from Hyundai Rotem. It came with TCMS (Train Control and Management System, a train-borne distributed control system) and ATO (Automatic Train Operation).
In the interior, there are overhead LCD monitors and LED maps above the doors.
First batch train 2-04.
By LERK, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2448468
The first batch of trains were built in 2005 and consisted of six trains. They were numbered 2-01~2-05 and 2-57. 2-01~2-05 are ten cars long, and train 2-57 is four cars long and runs on the Seongsu Branch.
These trains feature a large black stripe and a smaller green stripe running along the length of the car. The car body has ribbed sides and air-powered doors.
The car numbering and equipment distribution is as follows:
Four cars:
20XX-Tc (Cab, SIV, air compressor, battery)
21XX-M' (Pantograph, transformer, inverter, controller)
22XX-M'
23XX-Tc
Ten cars:
20XX-Tc
21XX-M (Inverter, main controller and converter)
22XX-M'
23XX-T (Unpowered car)
24XX-M'
25XX-T1 (SIV, air compressor, battery)
26XX-T
27XX-M
28XX-M'
29XX-Tc
Second batch train 2-27.
By LERK, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81073917
The second batch of trains were introduced from 2007 to 2008. This batch consisted of 32 trains, numbered 2-15~2-31 and 2-58~2-72. All trains are ten cars long except for trains 2-58~2-60, which are four cars long for the Seongsu Branch.
This batch features minor improvements and changes from the first batch. First, the ribbed sides and the large black stripe were removed. These trains feature a single green stripe and a smaller, darker green stripe running along the length of the car. The doors are electric-powered as opposed to air-powered. The interiors have been tweaked slightly, with revised gangway doors and cushioned seats.
The interior of a first batch train.
By Cfktj1596 - 자작, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62825077
The interior of a second batch train.
By Cfktj1596 - 자작, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62825078
Trains 2-23~2-31, 2-71, and 2-72 use first generation 2000-series cars as their unpowered cars. These cars are expected to be replaced with new cars in 2021.
With all stations on Line 2 now featuring screen doors, the side destination signs on all trains have been covered up.
Train 2-01 ran with a special Larva livery from November 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015. Larva is a very popular animated TV show in South Korea.
Currently, the operating program on the overhead LCD monitors predominately feature various advertisements, with appropriate station information displayed via single-line subtitles. It is planned for all second generation trains to have this operating program updated to either the newer program used on subsequent 2000-series generations or the ones used on the SMRT.
All trains remain in service today. Trains 2-01~2-31 are stored at the Sinjeong Depot, while trains 2-57~2-72 are stored at Gunja.
Two of the rebuilt first generation 2000-series cars. They can be differentiated by their two -piece side windows and a slightly lighter gray paint tone (brought on by their aluminum construction, as opposed to stainless steel)
CC BY-SA 3.0, https://ko.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=243307
Third Generation
The third generation of 2000-series trains were built from 2017 to 2018 by Dawonsys. 21 trains were built, all ten cars long. They are numbered 2-06~2-13, 2-39~2-42, and 2-85~2-92.
With this new manufacturer came a completely different design. These trains were made of aluminum, painted white with a single green stripe. The front end design is nothing like the previous generation. Only the first and last cars feature side destination displays.
The interior design has also changed, with leather seats and door warning lights. The number of seats per row have been reduced from seven to six, and there are no overhead shelves. The LCD displays have been moved to the sides of the car, above the doors. Two additional LED monitors are installed on the front and back of each car. There are no gangway doors altogether. The seats themselves are engraved with names of major stations on Line 2: City Hall, Sinchon, Wangshimni, Gangnam, Jamsil, Seongsu, Sindorim, and Sadang.
The propulsion system is a Dawonsys VVVF-IGBT unit.
Lately, the destination displays on these trains have gone away from specifying the direction it is circulating (내선순환=Inner Circle Line, 외선순환=Outer Circle Line) to just simply saying "순환," or Circle Line.
Trains 2-06~2-13 and 2-39~2-42 are stored at Sinjeong, while 2-85~2-92 are stored at Gunja.
Fourth Generation
The fourth generation of trains have been built and delivered since 2019 by Hyundai Rotem. In total, 22 trains are expected to be delivered. They will be numbered 2-14, 2-32~2-38, 2-56, 2-73~2-84, and 2-93. All trains will be ten cars long except for train 2-56, which will be four cars long.
Several changes were made from this generation compared to the previous. The car body has reverted to the stainless steel, ribbed design. The front end has been completely redesigned again. They have updated LED displays, white in color. Side destination displays are only found on the leading cars.
Everything else, including the interior, is more or less the same as the previous generation. One interesting detail is that the handles on these trains are oriented vertically, as opposed to horizontal on all previous trains. Recent studies have discovered that horizontal handles are harder on the wrist than ones oriented vertically.
The sound of the horn is...interesting, to say the least.
These trains are propelled with Hyundai Rotem's latest VVVF-IGBT (IPM) unit.
Train 2-14.
By Mtattrain - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85464261
So far, trains 2-14, 2-32~2-38, and 2-73~2-79 are in service. The rest will enter service in 2020. 2-14 and 2-32~2-38 are stored at Sinjeong, while 2-73~2-79 are stored at Gunja.
Fifth Generation
The fifth generation will be built by Dawonsys. Four trains will be built, 2-45~2-48. They will be six cars long and will run on the Sinjeong Branch, replacing the rebuilt rheostat trains that are running there.
Although these trains were planned to be built from 2020 to 2022, production has been delayed indefinitely.
Wide-width GEC Chopper Trains
These trains were not originally built for Line 2; they were transferred from Lines 3 and 4. I will go into more detail into these trains in the Line 3 section.
In total, 17 trains of this type were transferred starting in 1993, numbered 2-76~2-92. Trains 2-76~2-84 were originally Line 3 trains 3-39~3-47. Trains 2-85~2-92 were originally Line 4 trains 4-28~4-35.
All trains were built by Daewoo Heavy Industries. Trains 2-76 and 2-77 were built in 1985, 2-85~2-91 were built in 1989, and 2-78~2-84 and 2-92 were built in 1991.
Six cars in trains 2-78~2-84 were built in 1991 by Hanjin Heavy Industries.
Train 2-85 was retrofitted with LED destination signs in 2005.
All trains were retrofitted with overhead LCD displays in 2011.
Trains 2-76 and 2-77 were retired in 2009. 2-78~2-92 were retired from 2017 to 2020. All trains were stored at the Gunja Depot.
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