Step back in time on Hong Kong’s historic cross-border train

The MTR Corporation will feature the historic cross-border intercity “KTT” train in its Station Rail Voyage exhibition starting Thursday (Jan 23).

The exhibition, launched in April last year, attracted about 70,000 visitors by the end of last year and will now be reopened until the end of 2025 with new exhibits.

The Kowloon-Canton Railway Through Train, known as the KTT intercity train, began service in 1988 as the first double-decker train running between Hung Hom, Dongguan and Guangzhou, which was later replaced by the high-speed rail. 

The retired KTT train will be the headliner of the exhibition, stopping at its original through train platform at Hung Hom Station.

Visitors will have the opportunity to board the train, explore its facilities, and view numerous displays, including old uniforms and accessories, to gain insight into railway culture and the evolution of intercity railway growth. 

Meanwhile, three retired trains will also be on display: the first generation electric train “Yellow Head”, the midlife restoration train “MLR” of the East rail line and the diesel electric locomotive No.56 “I.B. Trevor”, as well as a collection of 100 railway items.

Jacob Kam Chak-pui, chief executive officer of the MTR Corporation, hopes that the exhibition will share and preserve inspiring railway stories to the public through railway artifacts from various eras. 

The exhibition will be open for free entry upon reservation from January 23 until the end of 2025.

Guided tours are available Tuesday through Sunday, as well as on holidays, with sections lasting 75 minutes each.