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Harvey Kong

A train refurbished in the iconic red-and-white style of Hong Kong’s first-generation carriages from 1979 has been launched as part of the MTR Corporation’s 45th anniversary celebrations, drawing scores of fans to the event.
The refurbished train – with a red stripe on a white front and interiors with retro fittings – was launched at Choi Hung station on Thursday and would be displayed for viewing at the stop on Saturday.
MTR Corp chief executive Jacob Kam Chak-pui said: “Everyone can once again reminisce about the past and experience old collective feelings and memories.”
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 – but the MTR Corp did not say which ones and when.

The 45th anniversary themed train has a design that hearkens back to the original carriages built for the rail operator by the British train manufacturer Metro-Cammell, which closed in 2005.
MTR Corp modernised its trains between 1997 and 2001 with new components and replaced its red-and-white front with a silver-grey one.
The interior of the refurbished carriages features elements from its first-generation antecedents, such as ball-shaped straphangers, orange-yellow ceilings and amber lighting, to recreate the feel of commuting in the earliest MTR trains.
Besides the retro decor, some carriages of the 45th anniversary train are decorated with posters showing the evolution of Hong Kong’s railway system, and also feature characters from the popular “My Boy” comics from the late 1970s to 1980s.

Railway fan Aaron Kei Chun-on, 30, said seeing the decor of the train transported him back in time to his childhood.
“Seeing the decorations and lighting that I remembered as a child, it’s very impressive,” he said.
“It’s as if time has gone backwards and I am back in the 90s, growing up as a child and just starting to become interested in the railway,” he added.
At Choi Hung station, where the train made its maiden voyage, railway fans packed the platform.
As the train approached the platform, fans cheered excitedly and rushed on board as soon as doors opened.
Many fans arrived early to secure a spot on the train, with some even revealing that they only slept several hours or went without sleep altogether.

One eager fan was 27-year-old Rheneas Choi, who arrived at the station at 12pm to secure a preferred spot on the platform.
“I could not sleep the entire night, as I was looking forward to the maiden trip,” he said.
Adrian Fung, a 15-year-old railway fan, said he was “extremely excited” for the maiden voyage of the anniversary train.
“I slept at 4am last night and woke up at 9am to come here from Tuen Mun,” he said, adding that he arrived at 12pm, two hours before the debut.
He said that he was most interested to use the ball-shaped strap holders and view the interior of the train.
While the trip provided a blast from the past for many passengers, the maiden voyage was particularly meaningful for 65-year-old former MTR maintenance worker Harlem Lam.
The retiree, who worked for the rail operator for 39 years, said that he did his wedding photography on the first-generation trains.
“We didn’t have money for a wedding at the time, so I had to be creative to win her over, I had to give her a surprise,” Lam said, proudly showing off the images to reporters.


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Hong Kong transport

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

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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

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

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News

Hong Kong

Transport

Refurbished train with iconic red-and-white design reminiscent of first-generation carriages from 1979 launched amid fanfare


Refurbished train with iconic red-and-white design reminiscent of first-generation carriages from 1979 launched amid fanfare.


MTR Corporation