Editing Janghang Line (section)

==History==

The original Janghang Line was opened along its full length running between Cheonan and Janghang by the [[Chosen Gyeongnam Railway]] on June 1, 1922.<ref name="lineop">{{cite web|url=http://info.korail.com/2007/kra/ope/ope08000/w_ope08606.jsp |title=경영원칙 > 경영공시 > 영업현황 > 영업거리현황 |publisher=Korail |access-date=2010-12-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722192217/http://info.korail.com/2007/kra/ope/ope08000/w_ope08606.jsp |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref>

===Upgrade===<!-- [[Korea Train Express#Further upgrades of connecting conventional lines]] links here-->

The entire Janghang Line is being electrified, double-tracked, and upgraded for higher speeds with a straighter alignment. Work started in 1997 from Cheonan.<ref name="rgi-korailplans">{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/south-koreas-growing-network.html |title=South Korea's growing network |date=2008-09-08 |publisher=[[Railway Gazette International]] |access-date=2010-08-29 |archive-date=2012-12-05 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205072403/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/south-koreas-growing-network.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> By the end of 2008, the new alignment was in service from Cheonan via Asan and Hongseong to Sinseong, from Jupo to Nampo, and from Ganchi to Janghang,<ref name="hani2010">{{cite web |url=http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/area/425930.html |script-title=ko:장항선 타면 ‘곡선이 주는 여유’ 절로 |language=ko |date=2010-06-16 |publisher=[[The Hankyoreh]] |access-date=2010-10-19 |archive-date=2011-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614160711/http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/area/425930.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and electrification was put in service on the first {{Cvt|19.4|km}} between Cheonan and [[Sinchang station|Sinchang]], after Asan, on December 15, 2008.<ref name="electrification">{{cite web |url=http://www.epic.or.kr/cont/yearbook/download/yearbook_chap07_3.pdf |title=Electricity Almanac 2009 |publisher=Korea Electric Association |access-date=2010-10-27 |archive-date=2012-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314033522/http://www.epic.or.kr/cont/yearbook/download/yearbook_chap07_3.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The {{Cvt|17.1|km}} section near Janghang, opened in December 2007, also linked up the Janghang Line with the previously isolated Iksan-Gunsan line via a new bridge over the [[Geum River]], with alignment built for two tracks but initially only one track was laid.<ref name="rgi-korailplans"/> In 2010, the remaining sections were slated to be completed by 2018, but complete double-tracking and electrification was no longer planned on the short term due to expected low demand.<ref name="hani2010"/> The realigned {{Cvt|14.2|km}} Nampo-Ganchi section, including the relocated Ungcheon station, was opened on January 5, 2021.<ref name="baekje2021">{{cite web |url=http://www.ebaekje.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=103794 |script-title=ko:보령시, 장항선 웅천역 신역사 5일 운영 개시 |language=ko |date=2021-01-06 |publisher=Baekje News |access-date=2023-09-27}}</ref> As of April 2023, the double-tracking of the Sinchang-Hongseong section was 85% completed and expected to be opened in the second half of 2024.<ref name="REN2023">{{cite web |url=https://www.redaily.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=5663 |script-title=ko:철도공단 충청권 사업단, 8개 철도사업에 올해 7082억 투입 |language=ko |date=2023-04-27 |publisher=Rail Economy News |access-date=2023-09-29}}</ref> Also as of April 2023, the double-tracking of the Hongseong-Daeya section, including the {{Cvt|18.8|km}} Sinseong-Jupo realignment that was scheduled to begin construction in 2023, was in advanced planning, with a 2027 completion targeted.<ref name="REN2023"/>

The Janghang Line will link up with the [[Seohae Line]] at [[Hongseong station]]. The Seohae Line will connect Hongseong to Hwaseong in Gyeonggi-do when it opens in the second half of 2024.<ref name="REN2023"/> It will be connected to southern extension of the [[Sosa–Wonsi Line]] and [[Sinansan Line]]. Seohae Line will serve {{Cvt|250|km/h|4=0}} speed, which will dramatically reduce travel time between Seoul and Hongseong.

Sinchang-Hongseong section will be double track electrifed when [[Seohae Line]] open.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.redaily.co.kr/news/articleViewAmp.html?idxno=6873 | title="장항선 신창-홍성 간 복선전철화 곧 마무리된다" &#124; }}</ref>