Book now for the "Mountain Village Themed Train Tour" to visit the home of Taiwan’s highest-altitude trains

By MOOK Scenic Spots Home, compiled report
 
In response to the peak summer travel season, the Forestry Bureau’s Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Assets Management Office launched the “Forest Railway Fun Summer” themed train in August, taking passengers along the Shuǐshān Trail, experiencing how track workers replace sleepers, and seeing how they safeguard the tracks’ safety, as well as visiting the home of Taiwan’s highest-altitude trains — the Alishan Depot, to learn about locomotives and maintenance procedures.

The event specially arranges rides in hinoki wood carriages modeled after Japanese imperial VIP cars, and a trip to Mt. Ogasawara to enjoy 360-degree mountain views. The entire journey is enveloped in the elegant and fragrant scent of hinoki, accompanied by professional guides offering insightful commentary, making it perfect for family trips during the summer vacation.

The “Forest Railway Fun Summer” train takes the daily life of railway workers as its theme. Through exhibitions on international exchanges at Zhàopíng Station and the daily life of railway workers, it introduces the scenery of the nine sister railways connected to the forest railway. Participants can also experience the daily routines of railway personnel — operations, mechanical, and engineering staff — who work tirelessly day and night, in all weather, to maintain track safety and enhance service quality.

Walking out from Zhàopíng Station, the timber skidding pillars under the blue sky offer a geographical perspective on the history of the forest railway and forestry culture. The Shuǐshān Trail, lined with cedar trees that wind alongside the railway, is a top choice for hikers and professional photographers. Through demonstrations of sleeper replacement carried out cooperatively by track workers, visitors can learn how railway personnel maintain the century-old tracks while adapting to the challenging terrain and environment.

This event takes participants to the rarely opened home of Taiwan’s highest-altitude trains, where they can explore diesel locomotives from different eras and get an up-close look at the antique No. 31 steam locomotive. Maintenance staff demonstrate regular servicing, and amid the whistle of the train, visitors can feel the vitality of a century-old steam engine.