2010 Old Mountain Line Railway Culture Festival: Vintage Steam Trains Return

The Old Mountain Line railway of the Taiwan Railways Administration winds from Sanyi in Miaoli County Government all the way to Houli in Taichung, and is one of the most distinctive sections of the trunk line. Along the route, Shengxing Station and Yutengping Broken Bridge are both designated as county-level historic sites in Miaoli, holding significant cultural and historical value. Originally named “16th Share Station,” Shengxing Station features seven tunnels and three bridges built along the line. The entire station structure — from ticket windows and waiting rooms, to the stationmaster’s office, platform, and tracks — still fully retains its original appearance. The Longteng Broken Bridge is another iconic site of the Old Mountain Line and also the highest bridge on the mountain line. It was damaged during the Guandushan earthquake, leaving its ten originally arch-shaped spans broken into six on the northern side and four on the southern side, with the remnants evoking a strong sense of nostalgia.

Even though the Old Mountain Line has been decommissioned and become history, the charm of its old train stations continues to grow. The local railway culture and surrounding historic sites have long attracted many visitors. To celebrate the 123rd Railway Day, the Taiwan Railways Administration has specially launched the “CK124 Old Mountain Line Scenic Half-Day Tour,” while the Miaoli County Government is also hosting the “2010 Old Mountain Line Railway Culture Festival.” The event kicks off with a lively start at 09:30 AM on June 5 at Sanyi Station, where the long-awaited CK124 steam train will make a comeback, inviting the public to experience the beauty of the Old Mountain Line and the warmth of Hakka hospitality.

One-day pass for the Old Mountain Line. Photo provided by Taiwan Railways Administration

The “2010 Old Mountain Line Railway Culture Festival” runs from June 5 to August 29. Celebratory events are held at Shengxing Station and Yutengping Broken Bridge according to the resumption schedule of the train services. On the afternoon of the opening day, from 15:00 to 18:00, there will be a parent-child painting competition at Shengxing Station. The CK124 steam train operated by the Taiwan Railways Administration will run on June 5 and 9, July 7, 14, 21, and 28, and August 4, 11, 18, 25, and 29. Diesel-electric locomotives will run every Monday and Friday from July 5 to August 27. A limited number of “one-day passes” are available for purchase. For booking and detailed schedule and fare information, please visit the Taiwan Railways Administration website.


Resumption of the Old Mountain Line Railway


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