Tram No. 381 at the Seoul Museum of History

July 31, 2023 718 Views

The Seoul Museum of History has restored and put on display Tram No. 381, an iconic mode of transportation in Seoul that can no longer be seen in operation since its last run in 1968. This tram, exhibited in the outdoor display area, had been showcased in the Seoul Children’s Grand Park since 1973 after the complete suspension of tram operations in 1968. In 2007, it was relocated to the Seoul Museum of History.

Through the recent preservation efforts, it was revealed that the tram underwent modifications between 1966 and 1968. The joining method used in the production of metal parts was also newly uncovered through scientific analysis, and the exterior coating composition and colors were restored. Additionally, metal parts that hadn’t been restored before were reconstructed based on the data from the 1960s and attached. Now, visitors can see Tram No. 381 exactly as it appeared back then at the Seoul Museum of History.

“Encounter Tram No. 381 in Front of the Seoul Museum of History”

In front of the Seoul Museum of History, you can find Tram No. 381, one of only two trams remaining in Seoul. The other one, Tram No. 363, can be found at the National Seoul Science Museum.

Next to the tram, you can also find a sculptural representation of people. It depicts a scene of a mother who forgot her lunchbox and is passing it to her son outside the tram, while a young man is already on board, looking somewhat embarrassed. It captures a potentially common scene from the past, adding an interesting touch of everyday life.

“You Can Tour the Interior of the Tram.”

The tram displayed in front of the Seoul Museum of History allows visitors to tour its interior. However, please note that there are specific visiting hours, which vary by season. Detailed timings can be found below.

“March – October”