Contributing quietly to Taiwan for 48 years — The Final Graduation Tour of the Guanghua Express

▲ The Guanghua Express was once known as the “fastest train in Taiwan.” After 48 years of service, it retired in 2014. (Photo / from Wikimedia Commons, the same below)

Reported by Chen Rui-zhong / Compiled by HowToTrip

Once the fastest train in Taiwan, the Guanghua Express (DR2700 series diesel multiple unit), after shining for half a century, is about to retire with the completion and opening of the electrified railway in Hualien and Taitung.

The “Stainless Steel Samurai” Guanghua Express was the first high-speed train made of stainless steel operated by Taiwan Railways Administration. It began service on the Western Trunk Line in 1966, setting the then-fastest record of 4 hours and 45 minutes between Taipei and Kaohsiung. After the electrification of the Western Trunk Line in 1986, the “Stainless Steel Samurai” was reassigned to the eastern line as a regular passenger train. For nearly 30 years, it faithfully served the daily commuter transport between Hualien and Taitung. With the completion of the electrification project on the Hualien-Taitung railway line, Taiwan Railways Administration will replace the DR2700 trains with air-conditioned and more spacious electric multiple units starting from the adjusted timetable on July 16, 2014 (this year). The Stainless Steel Samurai will complete its historic mission and retire from regular train service.

The Taiwan Railways Administration has scheduled the final regular train serviceon Tuesday, July 15 (this year, 103),featuring the "DR2700 White Steel Samurai" as the lead locomotive. A plaque from the "Glorious Express" will be displayed on the front of the train as part of a graduation commemorative run. Limited-edition souvenirs (1,000 available, while supplies last) will be offered. The entire train will consist of six carriages, giving passengers one last chance to experience the White Steel Samurai.

Train number: 4677 (Yuli 17:20 → Hualien 19:27), all seats unreserved.