PHOTOGRAPHY – When the MTR Was New


The MTR is 35 years old this year and is often hailed as one of the world’s best mass transportation systems. American photographer Leroy W. Demery Jr took photos of the MTR and KCR system in 1980 – a year after it opened. Leroy used a Canon TX SLR camera with Kodachrome colour slide film – he bought it in 1976 and still uses it today.

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The opening day was October 1st, 1979…

The Island line opened in 1985 and the eastern harbour MTR tunnel was opened by Prince Charles in 1989…

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via Apple Daily

Tickets from the 1990s…

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A video from 1993…

The original MTR map…

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Argyle is now Mong Kok, Waterloo is Yau Ma Tei and Chater is now Central. Prince Edward station opened with the Tsuen Wan Line in 1982. An public information video (in Chinese) from 1979 was produced to show people how to use the new system…

The MTR today is undergoing a major expansion – click here for construction photos from Time Out…

MTR Construction

via Time Out, Hong Kong – click for more.

New stations will include Ocean Park MTR…

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Click here to see in full how the MTR may look in 2020. Click here for more.

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Admiralty Station is currently being deepened to accommodate the new lines…

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The SCMP revealed that, in the future, Wan Chai may become home to 3 MTR stations…

Future Wan Chai MTR stations

via SCMP, click to enlarge

Until March 7th, visitors to Central Station can view a replica of a 1979 train carriage.

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Marking the MTR’s 35th anniversary at the Chinese New Year parade

See also:

Blog posts celebrating and critiquing development in the City of Lights…



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