Early Construction
The Tsuen Wan Line was one of the original lines of the MTR network. The initial plan for this line is somewhat different from what currently exists; especially in the names and the construction characteristics of the New Territories section. Original plans envisioned a terminus station in a valley further west of the present Tsuen Wan station terminus, named Tsuen Wan West. The station is different from the current West Rail Line Tsuen Wan West station located under reclaimed land. Furthermore, the line was supposed to run underground in Tsuen Wan, rather than the present line which was built on ground level.
The final route design allowed for a truncated line and construction to Tsuen Wan was approved in 1975 and commenced soon afterwards. While the main section of the line under Nathan Road in Kowloon started service in 1979, trains did not reach Tsuen Wan until 10 May 1982. All stations in the Sham Shui Po District (Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan, Lai Chi Kok and Mei Foo) opened a week later than the rest of the line. This was the only express service in the MTR, the journey time between Prince Edward and Lai King was shorter than a local service by two to three minutes.
Eight stations differ in names or location from the initial plan. Central, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok stations were originally named after the streets crossing or above the stations, Chater Road, Waterloo Road, and Argyle Street respectively, but the name of each station was later changed to represent the district of the station. Moreover, Mong Kok station was planned to be built a bit further north of its present location, which would have taken the place of Prince Edward Station; and Sham Shui Po was planned to be built a bit further south of its present location.
Mei Foo was originally named Lai Chi Kok, which was originally named Cheung Sha Wan, and Cheung Sha Wan was originally named So Uk, after the Ming dynasty tombs in the area of the station. Kwai Fong was originally named Lap Sap Wan, which means "rubbish bay" since the station is close to a now disused landfill in Gin Drinker's Bay, and was intended to be further south to its present site. Kwai Hing was originally named Kwai Chung.
Kwai Fong, Kwai Hing, Lai Chi Kok, and Cheung Sha Wan stations gained their present names before opening, and Mei Foo was also renamed from "Lai Chi Kok" to "Lai Wan" (荔灣). The other stations had their Chinese name changed when they opened, and were renamed in 1985 together with Mei Foo station.
Read more about this topic: Tsuen Wan Line, History
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