Railroad Town

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There is a town where railroad tracks were laid closely between people’s homes. The train doesn't run any longer but the town is bustling with visitors who are in search of nostalgic memories. Follow us to this special place in today’s close up.

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Here is the Gyeongam-dong railroad alley where train tracks pass between the houses. This railroad was a 2.5 kilometer long track running from the former Gunsan train station.

[Soundbite] Kim Si-baei(Tourism Promotion, Gunsan City Hall) : "The train first ran in 1944 to carry raw materials to a paper factory. Service stopped in 2008 and just the tracks remain today."

Homes were so close to the railway that trains slowed down to a speed of 10 kilometers per hour when passing through this area.

[Soundbite] Kim Won-gon(Town Resident) : "When the train passed, the conductor came out, waved a flag and oversaw the passage. People used to lay peppers and other greens on the roads to dry. Neighbors came out to help bring them in when the train passed."

The trains are long gone but the railroad has been reborn. The town has been a popular filming site including for an animated film about school year memories and a feature-length motion picture. This is why the rail alley is also a tourist destination for couples and friends.

[Soundbite] "To walk on the road that appeared in a movie, I feel I've become the movie character."

Here you can find a shop that lends school uniforms from the 1970s and '80s. Visitors try them on and walk down memory lane. Middle aged women also time travel to high school years, albeit briefly. Along the rail road, there are a number of intriguing, charm-filled little stores. A stationery store is filled with old toys. Another shop sells snacks of bygone days. People get excited grilling the snacks over briquet fire just like the old days.

[Soundbite] "I enjoyed this snack in my school days. To have it here is so much fun."

Here at this store, dolls are sold which are made by the owner. On the second floor, customers can look out and enjoy the railroad view, drink tea and also blow soap bubbles.

[Soundbite] "I hope these old tracks can be well preserved for many people to come and see."

[Soundbite] "Strolling around a railway town away from the hectic city has soothed my mind. There are more things to see than I expected. I had fun."

How about a trip to this serene railroad town alley to revisit some good old memories of the bygone era?