Taiwan Sugar Railways
The sugar railway in Taiwan consisted of an extensive network of narrow gauge railways with a gauge of 762 mm ( two and a half feet). This network focused particularly on the southern and central part of Taiwan. Today, even a small part of the network in operation. In many cases three-rail tracks ( 762 mm and 1067 mm) were laid, so that the freight trains were handed over by the sugar factories directly on the main routes of the state railway. Because of their small gauge compared to the standard gauge ( 1435 mm), this pathway ( Fifty percent rail) is in Taiwanese vernacular also like "50% -Bahn " called.
The railways transported the cane from the fields to the sugar factories; partly also found a reduced passenger traffic - particularly for the employees of the sugar factories, but also for the student movement - instead.
Most of these narrow gauge lines were also connected to the main lines, so that partially took place also a transfer of people. Until the 1970s, the lines of steam locomotives were serviced. This was followed by a switch to diesel operation. Were used or still partially Diesel locomotives of the German company Diema.
The sugar railways originated mainly during the Japanese occupation period (1895-1945) in the early years of the 20th century. During the heyday ordered the Meiji Sugar Co. Ltd.. a railway network of over 3,000 kilometers. In 2003, the network was operated only 240 kilometers long. The regular passenger services were discontinued in 1982. Since then, the cane transport with trucks dominated by the global decline in prices for sugar, the Taiwanese sugar factories were affected, so that they were gradually closed. After sugar export to Taiwan for decades, sugar has to import goods. The existing sugar mills were gradually closed. Only the factory in Huwei remained in operation. Here you will still take rail transport. On the route between the sugar factory in Huwei and the city Maguang operation took place during the harvest season from December 2009 to mid- April 2010 yet. 2011 will be likely to have driven all day with up to 4 pairs of trains / day at the track Huwei - Magung. However, the route will be 2011 19 further shortened because of the imminent planned expansion of its national road, so that trains can run only up to the loading station 13.
Some other short distances were also obtained and are now used for tourist purposes.
The sugar factory in Xihu was one of the first who received the permit for the operation of tourist trains. Trains depart today on a remaining distance of about seven kilometers through the factory grounds and fields. Meanwhile Xihu has become on the weekends a popular destination with driving.
Pictures
A former station building of the sugar factory in Xihu
Tourist train of the sugar factory in Xihu
Loading station for sugar cane at Maguang ( Tuku )
Sugar factory in Huwei
Route to the sugar factory by Huwei
Literature / Sources
- Gu Ren - Rong: Unlimited feelings for trains. Railway Cultural Society, 2003
- Rail Travel Magazine - published in twelve volumes in Taiwan
- Taiwan Railways Annual Report - Annual Reports of the Taiwan Railways Association
- Website of the Tourism Bureau, Republic of China ( Taiwan ) - Link su