Friday, August 23, 2024 For 45 years, the MTR has been a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s transit infrastructure, evolving in tandem with the city’s growth. On 22 August 2024, the MTR Corporation marked this milestone by unveiling the “45th Anniversary Themed Train” on its urban lines, designed to evoke fond memories of its long-standing service. This special train melds the design of the original passenger trains with contemporary touches, featuring the iconic red-and-white exterior and the vintage MTR logo, rekindling nostalgic feelings among commuters.
The train is divided into two themes: “Memories” and “Togetherness”. In the “Memories” section, four cars are styled to reflect the features of the early models, such as the spherical straphangers and the classic orange-yellow ceilings, complemented by old-style lighting and interesting railway facts. These elements are thoughtfully blended with modern amenities like priority seating and features for the visually impaired to meet current passenger needs.
The “Togetherness” theme is expressed through another four cars, which are adorned with characters from the beloved 1970s-80s “My Boy” comics, revitalized by local artist Mr. Li Chi-tak and officially licensed by the son of the original cartoonist, Mr. Wong Sze-ma.
These characters morph into passengers and staff, representing various eras, and symbolize the shared journey of the railway and Hong Kong’s residents throughout the decades. Dr Jacob Kam , Chief Executive Officer of MTR Corporation and Mr Liu Chun San , Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics officiated at the kick-off ceremony of the themed train today in the presence of MTR colleagues across different eras. “The first generation passenger train holds precious memories for me and many people in Hong Kong.
I believe this themed train will bring excitement and create memoriesforrailway fans and passengers of different generations. While the appearance of the train has evolved and railway operations have advanced in technology, the dedication of the MTR Corporation to provide passengers with world class quality service remains unchanged,”said Mr Liu Chun San , Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics. Dr Jacob Kam , Chief Executive Officer of MTR Corporation said, “When MTR metro service first commenced in 1979, we operated just one line with nine stations.
Over the past 45 years, MTR has upheld the mission to ‘Keep Cities Moving” to connect and grow the community. Today, the railway network has extended to all 18 districts in Hong Kong and also offers High-Speed Rail service that connects to the high speed rail network in Mainland China. I hope passengers can revisit our railway development as they board the themed train and continue to journey with us into the future.
” Starting today, 22 August 2024, and continuing until the end of the year, the MTR 45th Anniversary Themed Train will travel along selected urban routes. This coming Saturday, 24 August 2024, a special event at Choi Hung Station will allow the public to explore the train and create memorable photographs. For updates on this and other events, please follow MTR’s social media channels.
2024 marks the 45th anniversary of the MTR’s operation, pivotal in knitting together communities and expanding the rail network across Hong Kong. Throughout the year, the MTR Corporation has curated various events that highlight its integral role in urban development and social connectivity. Notable events include the “Station Rail Voyage” Exhibition at Hung Hom Station and the “Railscape Reminiscence” display near Central Station’s Exit J, tracing the historical trajectory of Hong Kong’s metro services.
Earlier this year, events like the “Green T Baby Fun Day” and “MTR Volunteering Month” kicked off a series of festivities, with more planned to spread cheer and positively impact the community as the anniversary celebrations continue..
