bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

quizIds

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

paywallTypes

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Sammy Heung

Around 1,400 Hong Kong railway lovers and residents took a trip down memory lane on Saturday on a train redecorated in a retro style reminiscent of the city’s first-generation carriages from 1979.
Once the clock struck 10.45am, a horde of railway fans armed with cameras rushed into the train sporting a signature red stripe across its white front and vintage interiors at Choi Hung station.
The platforms and train were teeming with visitors who wove around the carriages snapping pictures of fixtures such as the ball-shaped hand straps, orange-yellow ceilings and amber lighting.
Many took along their prized train memorabilia, while parents brought their children for an educational outing to learn about the railway operator’s history.

For younger fans, the visit marked the first time they stepped into a train whose vintage design replicates the original carriages built by the British train manufacturer Metro-Cammell, which closed in 2005.
The design passed into history after the MTR Corporation modernised its trains between 1997 and 2001.
Felix Cheng, a 20-year-old railway fan, was one of the first to enter the train along with his friends.

He said he was not yet born when the first-generation carriages retired and was thrilled to experience what it was like commuting by train in the 1970s and 80s.
“We are so excited!” he shouted at the top of his lungs. “We must cherish it!
“It has been 45 years since the first ‘white front’ train was commissioned in 1979. There is finally a ‘white front’ train displayed for railway fans to visit.”

After being displayed for about an hour, the train departed the station at 12pm to Tiu Keng Leng.
The train will run until the end of the year on some urban lines – the Kwun Tong, Island, Tseung Kwan O and Tsuen Wan lines – as part of a celebration drive for the MTR Corp’s 45th anniversary.
Oxygen Chan, 40, who works in the education sector, was doing a sketch of visitors.
“I am not a railway lover, but I would like to document the happiest moments experienced by the fans,” he said.
“I feel that I have returned to the golden age of Hong Kong when the atmosphere used to be very lively … Groups of people would swarm into the train very happily and joyfully.
“Such scenes are a rarity, with everyone boarding and looking tired while they await the start of their workdays.”

Alan Cheung Siu-man, a 55-year-old artist, brought an old newspaper clipping on the launch of the MTR’s service on October 1, 1979.
He said he and his dad took the first train that day and were captured in one of the photos of the news coverage.
“The most memorable items were the ball-shaped hand straps, which have already been retired. I used to play with them, even talking to them,” he said, referring to how the feature looked like a communication device.
Memorabilia collector Juston Tam was showcasing a display panel of an old MTR entry gate and signage from a first-generation carriage.
“I am very happy that the MTR Corp made an effort to refurbish the train,” he said.
“We always say we have to attract tourists. The response today is amazing. Old trains and cars can attract many enthusiasts from around the world.”



Rise in mainland applications for Hong Kong driving licences fuels test calls

Greater Bay Airlines cancels Hong Kong-bound flight from Taipei after bird strike

Some commuters call for new Hong Kong’s Light Rail service for pets to be expanded

Bus driver arrested, 21 passengers taken to hospital after Hong Kong crash

Hong Kong transport

All aboard the retro express: vintage MTR train delights 1,400 railway fans in Hong Kong

A father introduces his son to old-style hand straps in one of the carriages. Photo: Edmond So

The 45th anniversary themed MTR train arrives at Kowloon Bay Station. Photo: Edmond So

Fans bring along their prized train memorabilia and cameras for a journey down memory lane. Photo: Edmond So

Many parents brought their children along for an educational outing to learn about the railway operator’s history. Photo: Edmond So

Alan Cheung, a 55-year-old artist, displays an old newspaper clipping covering the launch of the MTR’s service on October 1, 1979. Photo: Edmond So

Felix Cheng, a 20-year-old railway fan, was one of the first to board the themed train. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong’s MTR Corp celebrates 45th anniversary by launching train in retro design

Fans crowd the platform in a bid to get onto the themed train for its first trip. Photo: Elson Li

The opening ceremony of the MTR Corp’s 45th anniversary themed train. Photo: Elson Li

Railway fans in the MTR Corp’s 45th anniversary themed train, which features ball-shaped straphangers, orange-yellow ceilings and amber lighting. Photo: Elson Li

Harlem Lam worked for the rail operator for 39 years and has fond memories of the trains, including taking wedding photos on a first-generation carriage. Photo: Elson Li

Hongkongers aged 60 or above will need personalised JoyYou Cards for HK$2 fare from Sunday

Passengers aged 60 to 64 will need to pay the full fare without a JoyYou Card. Photo: Elson Li

The application process for JoyYou Cards can take about four weeks, the MTR Corp has said. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong MTR Corp’s profit rises 45% to HK$6 billion as ridership recovers strongly

The rail giant has reported a robust recovery in ridership  Photo: Jelly Tse

CEO Jacob Kam says the operating environment is challenging. Photo: Edmond So

Tung Chung East station takes shape on Lantau Island. Photo: Elson Li

News

Hong Kong

Transport

Rail operator launches train designed in the style of city’s first-generation carriages from 1979 as part of 45th anniversary celebration


Rail operator launches train designed in the style of city’s first-generation carriages from 1979 as part of 45th anniversary celebration.
