Line 3
Seoul Metro 3000-series
Before reading this section, it is recommended to read the "Brief Intro to Numbering" section on the Trains page.
Wide-Width Chopper Control Train
In the run-up to the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Olympics, Seoul was seeking an all-new, modern train design for "sister lines" 3 and 4. So, in 1981, they held a competition, with both domestic and international groups submitting their designs. Eventually, the contract was awarded to a collaboration between GEC and Daewoo Heavy Industries.
.png)
A promotional poster for the new trains.
The overall design of the trains took much inspiration from typical European commuter trains at the time, with the car getting gradually wider as it gets down to floor level. True to its name, the cars were wider than the other Metro trains, measuring 3.16 meters (around 10.4 feet) at its widest point, compared to 3.12 meters (around 10.2 feet) for other Metro trains. The emergency door assembly in the front was taken from the Tokyo Metro 6000-series.
All trains used chopper controls from GEC.
The trains were initially planned as six-car trains. The plan was for 67 trains to be constructed for both Lines 3 and 4, totaling 402 cars. 32 of these trains would run on Line 3.
However, a increase in ridership in Line 2 required more trains that were simply not available to build at the time. So, it was decided that some Lines 3 and 4 trains would not be produced, and the resources would be used to produce more trains for Line 2. In June 1982, seven trains were taken out from the planned 32 for Line 3.
These cancelled trains would become part of 2000-series trains 2-61~2-75.
The 25 remaining trains were built and numbered 3-31/32~3-79/80. The car numbering was as follows:
30XX-Tc (Unpowered leading car with cab)
32XX-M (Main controller, main motor, air compressor, battery, towing motor)
35XX-M' (Pantograph, transformer, main rectifier, auxiliary power supply, towing motor)
32YY-M
35YY-M'
30YY-Tc
Train 3-21 (since retired).
By 원곡군(talk / Contributions) at the Korean Wikipedia - File:Seoulmetro series3000.jpg from the Korean Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.0 kr, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4396650
Many of these trains were extended to ten cars from 1990 to 1993. Some trains remained at six cars.
The ten-car numbering at the time was as follows:
30XX-Tc
31XX-M
32XX-M'
33XX-M
34XX-M'
35XX-T1 (Unpowered car)
36XX-T (Unpowered car)
37XX-M
38XX-M'
39XX-Tc
In 1993, the introduction of new rolling stock on Line 4 meant that the trains on that line were no longer needed. At that point, 41 ten-car trains were running on that line, numbered 4-01~4-41. All trains were transferred to either Line 3 or 2.
Trains 4-16~4-27 were transferred in 1993. 4-16~4-23 were split up and combined with Line 3 cars to form new trains 3-16~3-33 and 3-36~3-40. Trains 4-24~4-27 were renumbered into 3-41~3-44.
From 1993 to 1994, trains 3-39~3-47 were transferred to Line 2 and renumbered to 2-76~2-84. In 1994, trains 4-01~4-15 were renumbered to 3-01~3-15.
All the Line 4 trains were completely transferred by 1995, when trains 4-36~4-41 were renumbered to 3-34, 3-35, and 3-45~3-48.
_ar.jpg)
Train 3-48.
By Mtattrain - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40795880
In 2002, all trains had CRT monitors fitted for the Korea-Japan World Cup. Two were fitted per car.
Trains 3-01~3-33 and 3-36~3-44 were retired from 2009 to 2010. Trains 3-34, 3-35, and 3-45~3-48 were newer trains built in 1989, so they remain in service. Two cars in train 3-48 were built by Hanjin Heavy Industries in 1991.
All remaining trains have been retrofitted with LED destination signs. Train 3-45 has LED run number displays.
In 2010, the newer cars built from 1990 to 1993 were rebuilt and reorganized into nine new ten-car trains. These trains featured a revised front end. In the interior, the CRT monitors were replaced with overhead LCD monitors (all the unmodified trains have since been fitted in the same manner). They are numbered 3-16~3-20 and 3-41~3-44. These trains remain in service today.
_leaving_O.jpg)
Rebuilt train 3-20.
By Mtattrain - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40795879
The unmodified trains (3-34, 3-35, and 3-45~3-48) will be retired on December 31, 2020. The rebuilt trains (3-16~3-20, 3-41~3-44) will be retired on February 28, 2022. The unmodified trains are stored at the Suseo Depot, while the modified trains are stored at both Suseo (3-41~3-44) and Jichuk (3-16~3-20).
Second Generation
The second generation of 3000-series trains were built from 2009 to 2010 by Hyundai Rotem. 34 trains were built, numbered 3-01~3-15, 3-21~3-33, 3-36~3-40 and 3-49. All trains are ten cars long.
These trains are identical in design to the second generation 2000-series trains. However, they include features from both batches. The cars feature ribbed sides, with two orange stripes running along the length of the car. The doors are electric-powered. The trains feature TCMS, but not ATO.
In the interior, the overall setup matches the second batch, but with LCD monitors both overhead and on the sides, above the doors.
The propulsion system is identical to the second generation 2000-series trains, a Mitsubishi VVVF-IBGT unit with an IPM from Hyundai Rotem.
Car numbering is as follows:
30XX-Tc (Cab, SIV, air compressor, battery)
31XX-M (Inverter, main controller and converter)
32XX-M' (Pantograph, transformer, inverter, controller)
33XX-T (Unpowered car)
34XX-M'
35XX-T1 (SIV, air compressor, battery)
36XX-T
37XX-M
38XX-M'
39XX-Tc
Trains 3-01~3-15 are stored at the Jichuk Depot. The rest are stored at Suseo.
Train 3-01.
By Subway06 - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6767563
Third Generation
A third generation will be built by Dawonsys. 15 trains will be built, replacing the wide-width chopper trains. They will be numbered 3-16~3-20, 3-34, 3-35, and 3-41~3-48.
After votes on several concept designs were taken at Gyeongbokgung Station in June 2019, the final design was announced to be interior and exterior concept 1.
Although planned to be manufactured from 2020 to 2022, production has been delayed indefinitely.
Full-size mock-up, seen in December 2019
Korail 3000-series
The Korail 3000-series were built from 1995 to 1997 by Hyundai Precision, with the opening of the Ilsan Line section of Line 3. 16 trains were built, numbered 3x71~3x86.
These trains are operated by Korail, but are managed and maintained by Seoul Metro. Hence, they have not been renumbered to Korail's six-digit numbering system.
The basic specifications and design are identical to the second generation Seoul Metro 1000-series and 4000-series trains. These trains, unlike the others, were equipped with TGIS and ATO. Another difference is in the gear ratio, which has been adjusted slightly to better resemble feedback and acceleration from other Korail trains.
These trains use the same Mitsubishi VVVF-GTO propulsion systems as the 1000-series and the first batch 4000-series trains.
The trains were originally delivered with paper roll destination signs, along with a livery of blue and red stripes.
Train 3x71 in its original paint scheme.
From https://gramho.com/explore-hashtag/%EC%A0%84%EC%B2%A0%EC%82%AC%EC%A7%84
The car numbering was as follows:
30XX-Tc (Leading car with cab, SIV, air compressor, storage battery)
31XX-M (Pantograph, main controller, inverter, main converter)
32XX-M
33XX-T (Unpowered car)
34XX-M
35XX-T1 (SIV, air compressor, storage battery)
36XX-T
37XX-M
38XX-M
39XX-Tc
During commissioning, trains 3x74 and 3x77 collided near Samseong Station. Both trains were repaired and entered service without any further incident.
These trains were refurbished in 2005 with fire-resistant interiors and other improvements. Along with the interior refurbishment, these trains also received a new orange and blue paint scheme, along with LED destination signs on the front and sides.
Train 3x84 with the current paint scheme.
By Subway06 - 자작, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4839070
These trains remain in service today. They are stored at the Jichuk Depot.
Back to Trains
Back to History
Back to Seoul Metro