The train began operations in 2007 and transports tourists along the eastern coast of South Korea.

[2][3] The train began running on July 25, 2007,[4][5] and travels 58 kilometers (36 miles) through Gangneung, Donghae, and Samcheok all in Gangwon-do, providing views of the Sea of Japan.

These three communities, along with Korail, developed the rail trip, with Korail contributing the passenger train service and the railroad, and the communities investing money to modify ordinary passenger cars into ones with seats that faced the sea.

[3][5][6] Sometimes called the "ocean train", it was one of the industrial-era train renovations and part of Korail's Tourism Development initiative in the mid-2000s to change existing coal industry railway lines, where service had declined, into tour lines.

[5][7] One of the train stops is at Jeongdongjin station, which was made famous by a popular 90's Korean drama, The Hourglass.