Ride a Steam Train in the “Train Hospital” – The Railway Culture Festival Kicks Off on September 27

▲ The EMU100 series electric multiple unit, dubbed the “British maiden,” can be seen at the Taipei Railway Workshop. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong, the same below)

Reporter Chen Ruizhong / Taipei

Train enthusiasts and those curious to see the Taipei Railway Workshop are in for a treat. Co-organized by the Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs and the Taiwan Railways Administration, the Taipei Railway Culture Festival will be held at the Taipei Railway Workshop from September 27 to October 26, showcasing “Glamorous Beichang – Taipei Railway Culture Festival.” During the event, visitors can enjoy a variety of art pieces inspired by railway culture and also get an up-close look at the Taipei Railway Workshop, known as the “train hospital.”

▲ The Railway Culture Festival also displays many historical artifacts related to trains.

Established in 1935, the Taipei Railway Workshop spans approximately 19 hectares and was once a key hub for train maintenance and repair. It is usually not open to the public, but during the one-month event period, it will be open daily.

▲ The massive assembly workshop, which stands 20.4 meters high, is spectacular inside.

The Taipei Railway Workshop is divided into four major work zones and 12 workshops. Among them, the assembly workshop, forging workshop, power room, and bathhouse have been designated as municipal historic monuments of Taipei, while the general office, passenger car workshop, and diesel workshop are registered as historic buildings. With the transformation of railways underground and the changes brought by high-speed rail, the workshop was gradually relocated to the Taoyuan Fugang Workshop by the end of 2012. However, the site still preserves relics such as a steam hammer dating back to the Liu Mingchuan era of 1889. In the new passenger car workshop, you can also see the EMU100 series electric multiple unit, known as the “British maiden.”

See more photos from the Railway Culture Festival＜＜＜Click here

▲ The steam hammer left over from the Liu Mingchuan era is one of the important historical artifacts of the Taipei Railway Workshop.

Taipei City MayorHau Lung-pinsaid at the opening press conference that this year marks the 130th anniversary of Taipei’s founding, and the city’s development has a deep connection with railways. He hopes the public can experience the history and culture of railway development during the Railway Culture Festival. Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs DirectorLiu Wei-kungalso said that Taipei hasn’t had a large-scale museum in a long time, and he hopes this event, along with stories from many veteran Taiwan Railways employees, will help turn the Taipei Railway Workshop into a world-class museum.

▲ Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-pin also attended the opening ceremony aboard a small steam train.

The Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs stated that the Railway Culture Festival is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The site has planned a series of activities including factory tours, storytelling sessions by seniors, and workshops. Free mini train rides are also available on weekends. The public is welcome to come and appreciate the beauty of railways.

Glamorous Beichang – Taipei Railway Culture Festival
Location: Taipei Railway Workshop
Address: No. 48, Section 5, Civic Boulevard, Taipei City
Event Period: September 27 – October 26, daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM