Trains revived for Alishan railway anniversary

2014-12-24

Alishan Forest Railway in southern Taiwan’s Chiayi County is celebrating its 102nd anniversary Dec. 25 with a one-day revival of its original steam locomotives and antique wooden cars.

Running two separate routes, one between Alishan and Chaoping stations and the other between Beimen and Chiayi, the century-old trains will take passengers down memory lane on one of the highest railways in the world, according to an AFR official.

“Built as a logging railway during the Japanese colonial period (1895-1945), the AFR has gained worldwide fame as a tourist attraction for its unique Z-shaped switchbacks as well as 49 tunnels and 77 wooden bridges,” he said.

“The two steam engines to be put in service Thursday are both over a hundred years old and in perfect working condition. Made of indigenous Taiwan cypress, the four-car trains date from the same period and can each accommodate 200 passengers.”

Due to its historic significance and unique construction, the mountain railway is considered a national treasure, winning support from Australia-based Asia-Pacific Heritage and Tourist Rail Organization in May for being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Accompanying the revival of the legendary trains will be a special exhibition at Beimen Station on the forest line’s restoration after the devastation wrought by Typhoon Morakot in 2009, the official said. The celebration will showcase vintage train models and pyrography artwork made of Taiwan cypress, he added.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=225473&CtNode=413)