Text / Compiled and reported by the Editorial Department of MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network
During the summer vacation, Taiwan Railways specially launched the "Midsummer Formosa" CT273 steam train service on the Hualien-Taitung Line. On August 5, it conducted its first trial run between Hualien and Heren, attracting a large number of railway enthusiasts to take photos and watch, also successfully warming up for the special train journey between Yuli and Taitung from July 7 to 9.
The Midsummer Formosa will resume service between Yuli and Taitung from August 7 to 9. (Image source / Taiwan Railways Administration)
To celebrate the second anniversary of the SL Midsummer Formosa, Taiwan Railways has, for the first time this summer, moved the steam train journey to the Hualien-Taitung region.It will operate a steam train service between Yuli and Taitung for three days from August 7 to 9 (Thursday to Saturday).The service includes four air-conditioned SPK ordinary express cars (totaling 240 seats) and two non-air-conditioned DR2511-2512 diesel railcars (totaling 80 seats). Passengers can disembark at stations such as Chihshang, Guanshan, and Shanli to enjoy the scenery of the Hualien-Taitung area.
Through the steam train journey between Yuli and Taitung, passengers can fully appreciate the scenery of the Hualien-Taitung region. (Image source / Taiwan Railways Administration)
The Midsummer Formosa special train combines steam locomotives with the tourism resources of the Hualien-Taitung area, taking passengers to popular attractions and smaller stations along the railway.Visitors can stop at stations such as Chihshang, Guanshan, and Shanli to visit attractions including the Chihshang Lunch Box Cultural Story Museum, the old Guanshan Station and surrounding former staff quarters, and the white chapel at Shanli Station. Taiwan Railways’ CT273 steam locomotive was refurbished and returned to service in June this year. It is part of the CT270 class of steam locomotives, similar to Japan’s C57 type. This speed king of Taiwan’s railways during the Japanese colonial period, an iconic express train of historical significance, had a designed top speed of 100 km/h, with a maximum steam pressure of 16 kg per square centimeter. The total operating weight of the locomotive is 115.25 metric tons, and it provides a tractive effort of 12,820 kg.
On August 8, Taiwan Railways Administration held a Father’s Day event at Taipei Railway Station. To complement and enrich this event, it also issued 888 sets of commemorative platform tickets in the first-floor multifunctional exhibition hall of Taipei Station (following the station’s designated queue route). (Image source / Taiwan Railways Administration)
Additionally, to create a warm and harmonious atmosphere at the station and in response to the government’s promotion of filial piety and emphasis on family values,Taiwan Railways Administration specially held the “I Love My Family ‘Big Hand Holding Little Hand’ Father’s Day Gratitude – A Guided Tour of Taipei Railway Station” event starting at 1:40 p.m. on Friday, August 8, in the Taipei Station Multifunctional Exhibition Hall.This event encourages fathers to bring their children to visit Taipei Railway Station together, while also hoping to instill in children a deep appreciation for the hard work their fathers put into caring for the family, thereby strengthening familial bonds.
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