Taiwan Today

China's railroad history reached the century mark in June. The line from Tangshan to Hsu­kehchuang (10 kilometers) was built in 1881 as the primitive mainland beginning. It is a long way from there to Taiwan Railway Admin­istration electrification of the track from Keelung-Taipei to Kaohsiung in the late 1970s and expected completion of the round-Taiwan system in the mid-1980s. From 1881 to 1949, the Central Government built 29,000 kilometers of railway, including 1887-1891 construction of the first Taiwan system linking Taipei with its port of Keelung 28.6 kilometers to the northeast. Planning is under way fur a super­ train that would cover the 365 kilometers from Keelung to Kaohsiung in an hour and one-half.

 

 

These two pages present a capsule history of the Taiwan Railway Administration's locomotives, Opposite page: Top, first steam engine used in Taiwan in 1888 and still to be seen at Taipei's New Park, Bottom left, steam engine No, 9 dating to 1895, Bottom right, EK900, suitable for use on mountain lines and in use in the years after 1915.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This page: Top, CT230 steam locomotive built in 1929, Second from top, DT650, one of the last of the steam engines, dating to 1940s and 50s, Third from top, R150 diesel-electric built in 1973 and still in use on the North Link line connecting Suao and Hualien on the east coast. Fourth from top, electric-multiple-unit car made in 1976, Bottom, electric locomotive also made in 1976 by GE of the United States, One of TRA's electric trains is shown on the preceding page, Although Taiwan now has a north-south freeway on the heavily populated west coast, the railway system continues to be the island's lifeline for moving heavy freight and is an important people mover for suburban as well as long-distance trips, Expresses running on the west coast are tourist attractions. Accommodations are comfortable, dining car service is available and the scenery is exceptional. The North Link line to Hualien tunnels through the rugged Central Range.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRA observed the centennial of Chinese rail-roading with celebrations and special services to passengers. Above: Left, souvenir medals, key holders and tray marking the occasion. Right, set of 10 tickets depicting the history of Chinese trains; the cost is only NT$100 and the tickets can be used for transportation, then kept as a remembrance. Center left, train making the inaugural run after the west coast electrification. Center right, interior of one of TRA's expresses connecting Taipei with Kaohsiung in four hours. Bottom left, Kaohsiung railway station with a sign saluting completion of electrification. Bot­tom right, interior of the Taipei railway station, which soon will be rebuilt as part of a project placing downtown tracks underground. When the round-the-island system is completed a few years hence, TRA will offer one of the most spectacularly scenic rides in the world.