Railway administrations in Taiwan and Hokkaido, Japan, are set to sign a letter of intent in March to promote tourism with old steam locomotives, Taiwan Railways Administration Director-General Frank Chih-ku Fan told local newspapers Feb. 5.
Thanks to an initiative promoted by train buffs from both countries, the tourism exchange will see old locomotives operating in summer in Taiwan and in winter in Japan.
Hokkaido operates its C11 locomotive every winter, attracting tourists and railway enthusiasts to see the train whistling through the snowy wetlands on the northernmost of the main Japanese islands.
For its part, the TRA has since 2010 sought to boost train tourism by bringing the 70-year-old locomotive CK124 back to the tracks every summer on the old mountain line between Miaoli County’s Sanyi Township and Houli District in greater Taichung City.
Fan said Japan’s locomotive revival project combining transportation with tourism has inspired the TRA in its local efforts, and he hopes the cooperative exchange will help boost tourism for both countries.
The Hokkaido C11 will make a special run March 20, far past its usual closing date at the end of February, to welcome officials and tourists from Taiwan, while the TRA is planning special activities for June 9, National Railroad Day. (THN)