Blast from the past

Ayra Wang

Hundreds of railway enthusiasts cheered as a themed train featuring decorative elements of a first-generation MTR passenger train set off yesterday.

The eight-car "white-head train," which was modified from a British-made Modernization Train, departed at 2pm yesterday from platform 3 in Choi Hung station.

In celebration of MTR's 45th anniversary, the train features a red-and-white front, ball-shaped straphangers, an orange-yellow ceiling and old-school lighting.

"My father always told me he misses that train so much. He cannot be here today due to work so I will take videos and photos to share with him," said Fung, 16, who was among the early batch of passengers.

Secondary student Tse, who came all the way from Tuen Mun, said he waited over four hours for the train. "Totally worth it. I never thought I would see this classic running on rails," Tse said.

First-generation trains were put into operation in 1979 and later replaced by M-trains in the late 1990s.

Aaron Kei Chun-on, 30, said the nostalgic decorations evoked childhood memories.

"I felt like I was traveling back in time to my childhood the moment I walked into the car. The decorations are historically accurate, especially the ball-shaped straphangers," Kei said.

Excited fans also sang the famous line by train enthusiast Jason Law Zit-sum, who became an online sensation after he sang about being "so excited the Tuen Ma Line is open" in 2021.

Law, now a university student, also showed up to celebrate.

Apart from the retro setting, some carriages had posters showcasing the city's metro development through characters from the classic Hong Kong comic My Boy.

Undersecretary for Transport and Logistics Liu Chun-san said that the first-generation train was a "precious collective memory" for Hongkongers. He hoped the themed train will bring surprising and diverse experiences for passengers of all ages.

MTR chief executive officer Jacob Kam Chak-pui said his company has gone from operating one line with nine stations in 1979 to covering all 18 districts in Hong Kong over the past four decades.

The MTR will continue to organize more community activities to celebrate its anniversary.

The themed train will run on selected urban lines until the end of the year and will be showcased at platform 2 in Choi Hung station from 10.45am to 12pm tomorrow.