Railway Park, from freight hub to theme park

The name Railway Park is familiar to many local commuters as it is a Metro station on Line 5 in Qianhai. However, there is another Railway Park in Shenzhen. It is the lesser known railway-themed park that has been transformed from a defunct train station in Luohu District.

This Railway Park, the former Shenzhen Gongye Station, used to serve as the last transit point on the Chinese mainland for freight trains transporting agriculture produce to Hong Kong. As Shenzhen underwent rapid development over the past few decades, the Shenzhen Gongye Station fell into disuse, and has now been converted into a theme park, adjacent to the Caopu Metro Station in Qingshuihe Subdistrict.

Upon arrival, visitors will be immediately drawn to the two out-of-service Dongfeng diesel locomotives on the rail tracks. The green locomotive, manufactured in 1967 by Dalian Locomotives Factory, was one of the earliest diesel locomotives in China, while the orange-painted locomotive was a significant mode of transportation in Qingshuihe at that time.

The Three Express Trains Museum, Shenzhen’s first train-themed museum, is a newly added attraction after the park’s recent facelift.

Its name pays homage to the three express trains that began operating daily from March 20, 1962. The three trains departed from Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Shanghai, or Changsha, ferrying fresh goods to Hong Kong via Shenzhen.

At the museum, visitors can watch a documentary on the train station and its historical significance. Other exhibits, such as photographs, cargo receipts and disused household items, carry the shared memories between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

The tranquility of the railway park sharply contrasts with the bustling Guangzhou-Shenzhen intercity rail line nearby. The photos under are taken by Shenzhen Daily photographer Liu Xudong.