Trams and trolleybuses in North Korea

The Pyongyang trolleybus system has been operating since 1962, with a large fleet serving several routes. Due to the closed nature of North Korea, the existence of trolleybus networks in other North Korean cities was generally unknown outside the country for many years, but it is now known that around 12 to 15 other cities also possess trolleybus systems, among them Sariwon, Wonsan, Chongjin and Pyongsong.[9] A few other places have private, very small (in some cases only one or two vehicles) systems for transporting workers from a housing area to a nearby coal mine or other industrial site—or at least did at some time within recent years, such as the city of Sangnong.[10][9] Trolleybuses include both imported and locally made vehicles but are mostly locally made, converted or rebuilt. There are a few local manufacturers of trolleybuses.

In 2020, NK News speculated that North Korea was likely to start a removal of its trolleybus systems;[11] however, with the revival of the network in Wonsan during 2018-19, Sinuiju in 2020 and the opening of a new system in Manpo in 2019 directly contradicts this article. It is also important to note, that according to the The Pyongyang Times, new trolleybuses are still being constructed.[12]

Product list and details

#	Description	Make	Fleet #	Year acquired	Year retired	Notes
	trolleybus	Hungary Hungarian Ikarus Bus 255/260/280 (Chollima 951)[13][14][15]				Converted from diesel, one model was solar powered demonstrator in Nampo.
2	articulated trolleybus	Hungary Hungarian Ikarus Bus 280T	1165, ?			Likely converted from diesel Ikarus 280 due to lack of roof equipment. Works in Sariwon and are the only two trolleybuses in service there.[16]
	trolleybus	Czech Republic Škoda Works		1950s
2	articulated trolleybus/ trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 011	411, 509	2002		Only two built. Articulated trolleybus scrapped (411). Other single unit (509) still in use.[17]
	trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 1/2/9.11	N/A	1961	Late 1980s
	articulated trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 9.25		1963		Only one preserved vehicle still operatable. Based on LAZ-695
	trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 70		1970		Mechanically based on Škoda 706 RTO.[18] Partially withdrawn.
	trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 72[19]		1972
	trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 74		1974		Another version built in 1975 exists. Has narrow doors unlike the original Chollima-74. Also operates in Nampo.[20]
	trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 82		1982		Some trolleybuses in Sinuiju are refurbished with new Mallima-312 based bodies.[21]
	trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 84		1984	Late 2000s	Mostly withdrawn.[22]
	articulated trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 862		1986		Mostly withdrawn.[23]
	articulated trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 90/903		1990		Both are similar and work in Pyongyang.[24][25]
	trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 901				Non-articulate variant of Chollima 90/903.[26]
	trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chongnyonjunwi/ Chollima 973		1996		Designation applies to derivatives of Karosa B731, B732, C734.[27][28] Has either two or three doors. Used in Pyongyang, Pyongsong and Sangwon.
	articulated trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 971/ Chongnyonjonwi/ Sonyon[29]		1997		Three axle articulated trolleybus, body from withdrawn Shenfeng KT4 trams. Mostly withdrawn. Trailer removed on some vehicle to become Chollima 961
	articulated trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima Kwangboksonyon		1992		Similar to the Chollima 971 but without front door. One door in front section and two in rear section.[30] Built in small numbers. Mostly withdrawn.
	articulated trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 961/ Sonyon[31]		1999		Body from withdrawn Shenfeng KT4 trams. Similar to Chollima 971, but as a single car.
	articulated trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 032		2003		Only a few were made
	articulated trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima 091		2009		Variant with flatter front exists.[32][33]
	trolleybus	Chongjin Bus Works Jipsan 74		1972		Some rebuilt with front section resembling Tatra T6.[34]
	articulated trolleybus	Chongjin Bus Works Jipsan 75		1985-90		Three axle articulated trolleybus.[35]
	articulated trolleybus	Chongjin Bus Works Jipsan 86		1986
	trolleybus	Chongjin Bus Works Jipsan 88		1988		Similar to the Jipsam 74. Some rebuilt with front section resembling Tatra T6.[34]
	trolleybus	Wonsan Rolling Stock (Locomotive) Factory Songdowon		Late 1970s	Mostly by 2019	Most likely entirely replaced by Chollima-321 sent to Kangwon Province as a gift by Kim Jong Un in April 2019.[36]
	trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Chollima-316		January 2018		First trolleybus with battery power storage, located under the floor, first trolleybus with LED display, 3 doors.[37]
	trolleybus	Pyongyang Trolleybus Works Cholliam-321[38]		July 2018		Has battery power storage, LED display, 3 doors.[39] Also used in Wonsan. Incorrectly named as Mallima-312 in other sources. Later production versions has longer and straighter side view mirror. Used in Pyongyang, Wonsan and Huichon. A body is used in Sinuiju using the chassis of a Chollima 84.
	trolleybus	Chongjin Bus Factory Jipsan		2019, 2020		In 2019, two variants were produced; both were painted in blue and white, with the main difference in the curvature of the front.[40] 2020 first series had three doors, bearing more resemblance to the Mallima-312. Another series of these trolleybuses were built in 2020; the differentiating feature to the first 2020 series was that it featured a 'y' shaped arch above the front wheel, similarly to the Chollima-321 which the earlier series lacked.
	trolleybus	Sinhungho[41] I/II/III		Late 1980s (I), Before 2016 (II), 2016-(III)	(I) largely replaced	Some rebuilt with newer bodies. Only operates in Hamhung-Hungnam region. Mistakenly called Chongnyonho.
3	trolleybus	Pyongsong 'Chollima'[42]	2161, 2166,2167	2019-		Built with assistance from Pyongyang Trolleybus Works. 2161 is more flat at the front than 2166-7.

• Pyongyang Metro
• Pyongyang Tram
• Transport in North Korea

• The Pyongyang Metro: Trams

• Media related to Trams in Pyongyang at Wikimedia Commons
• Media related to Trolleybuses in Pyongyang at Wikimedia Commons
• Recording of KCTV 28 December 20:00 news showing new trolleybuses in Chongjin
• Discussion on Chongnyonho