Lo Wu station

Lo Wu is the northern terminus of the (Kowloon-Canton Railway) of Hong Kong, located in Lo Wu within the Closed Area on Hong Kong's northern frontier. The station serves as a primary checkpoint for rail passengers between Hong Kong and mainland China and vice versa, rather than serving a specific area. It is also the northernmost railway station in Hong Kong.

History

Initial opening

When the Kowloon–Canton Railway (KCR) first went into service, trains did not stop at Lo Wu, as there was no border patrol at the time. However, shortly after the People's Republic of China was created in October 1949, the KCR announced that trains would terminate at Lo Wu, and that passengers would be able to cross the border on foot.

After the economic reformation of China, through trains re-commenced running in 1979, and cross-border traffic increased substantially. During the 1980s, Lo Wu station was completely redeveloped. On 15 January 1987, the new Lo Wu station was formally opened.

Lo Wu Station Concourse 1997.jpg, Station concourse in 1997.

Refurbishment work

Refurbishment work of the station started in 2002, and new facilities such as a group waiting area and new ticket gates were introduced. Since 28 December 2004, this station also serves as the interchange station for the Shenzhen Metro Luohu station, which shares the same Chinese name.

In 2009, platform gap fillers were trialled on platforms.

Closure during COVID-19

Following the Government's measures to contain the outbreak of COVID-19, this station has been closed since 4 February 2020. This station now provides 30-minute-interval train services between Lo Wu and Sheung Shui stations for Lo Wu residents only.

Opening during Ching Ming and Chung Yeung Festivals

To make it easier to go to Sandy Ridge for grave sweeping, for a month around Ching Ming Festival and Chung Yeung Festival, some East Rail line trains operate to/from this station from the start of service until 7 pm every day.

Station layout

The station has three tracks. Two tracks serve the as its terminus. The other track serves intercity through train services which do not stop at this station and continues northward across the border into mainland China. The through trains do not have platforms on this station.

Platforms

The East Rail station features two tracks with two side platforms and an island platform arranged in a Spanish solution. The island platforms (2 and 3) serve alighting passengers, while the side platforms (1 and 4) serve boarding passengers. The island platform connects to the arrivals concourse at L1, and the side platforms are connected to the departures concourse at L2. Both concourses are connected to the Lo Wu Control Point, through the Lo Wu Bridge which has moving walkways.

Trains entering the station will first open doors facing the island platform to allow passengers to alight. After station staff has confirmed that all passengers have alighted, the doors will close and doors facing the side platforms (1 and 4) will be opened for boarding passengers.

Prior to the implementation of the Spanish solution, passengers on both tracks would use the island platforms for both boarding and alighting, resulting in the platform overcrowding. In 2004, platform 1 (which had previously been rarely used) was rebuilt and platform 4 was constructed to improve the passenger flow for boarding passengers.

Located inside the paid area of the arrivals concourse (L2) are two separate passageways providing access to escalators, lifts, and stairs to one of the two side platforms (1 and 4). Large glass sliding doors ahead of each passageway begin automatically closing around 5 minutes before the train is set to depart the station. This is done to control the number of boarding passengers allowed on each narrow side platform to prevent overcrowding and reduces the chance of passengers falling onto the tracks. Once a set of automatic doors are shut, the other set will open, allowing access to the other side platform.

Lo Wu Station 2019 04 part1.jpg, Platform 1 (left) and 2 (right) (April 2019)
Lo Wu Station 2019 04 part3.jpg, Platform 3 (left) and 4 (right) (April 2019)
Tracks north of Luohu Bridge (20190116162821).jpg, A locomotive heading towards a reversing siding. Lo Wu station in the background (January 2019)

Exits

The station has three exits:
* The Lo Wu Immigration Control Point, where passengers must go through the border checkpoint in order to enter mainland China. Passengers must have valid travel documents to use this exit.
* Two exits out to the Lo Wu area. These two exits are guarded by Hong Kong police officers. To use this exit, one must possess a Lo Wu Resident Card or a Closed Area Permit, which can be obtained at the Sheung Shui Police Station in Fanling.
** A1: Tak Yuet Lau, Liu Pok Village
** A2: Lo Wu Village, Sandy Ridge Cemetery

Lo Wu Station Restricted Passage.JPG, Passage restricted only to Lo Wu residents, featuring an itnercity througuh train in the background. (2013)
Exit faregates of Lo Wu Station (20190116145321).jpg, Exit fare gates for leaving Lo Wu station and towards the Luohu Port border checkpoint. On the left is Exit A, available only to permit holders of Lo Wu residents. (January 2019)

Incidents

On 2 February 2020, 2 explosive devices were found at Lo Wu station.

See also

* Lo Wu
* Lo Wu Bridge
* Lo Wu Control Point
* Luohu (Shenzhen side)
* Luohu station (Shenzhen side)

References

External links

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MTR stations in the New Territories
East Rail line
North District, Hong Kong
Closed Area
Former Kowloon–Canton Railway stations
Railway stations in Hong Kong opened in 1949
1949 establishments in Hong Kong