Jiji Line fully resumes service 2-1》Taiwan Railway’s Jiji Branch Line will add more services and "Tie Ma Ga Railway" will take the lead in sightseeing
The Taiwan Railway's Jiji branch line has resumed service on its entire line, and the Japan Railway Administration Office and the Mountain Touring Office will plan a "dual-rail" itinerary that combines iron horses and railways to promote sightseeing along the line. (Photo by reporter Liu Binquan)
At the end of June this year, the Taiwan Railway's Jiji branch line announced that it was resuming service after the painted trains slowly drove into the final station of Checheng Station. This gave a boost to the tourism on the branch line that had been dormant for nearly five years. The number of passengers increased by nearly 50% in the first month of the resumption of service. As the number of trains increases in the future, the new "double rail" method of using railways and iron horses with various scenic area management offices will connect the scenic spots along the line and take the lead in the rush for sightseeing, which is expected to set off a tourism trend.
The Jiji branch line was opened to traffic in 1922 during the Japanese occupation. It was originally built to transport materials for the construction of the Sun Moon Lake Power Plant. The route runs from Ershui, Changhua County to Checheng, Nantou County, with a total length of 29.7 kilometers. After its opening to traffic, it promoted the development of towns along the line. In 1986 It was facing suspension due to serious losses. After local efforts and transformation into tourism, it became a pioneer of Taiwan's tourist railways. The Jiji Station made of cypress along the line is a highlight. The nostalgic mountain city style of the Checheng Station at the end is even known as the last secret garden of the branch line.
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In 2021, the Jiji branch line was suspended due to slope collapse and subsequent slope improvement and railway upgrade construction. It was not until the completion in June this year that the entire line resumed service.
The Taiwan Railways said that the Jiji Line currently has 23 trains a day, with a train interval of about 80 minutes. After the train rendezvous function of Shuili Railway Station is activated next year, the number can be increased to 28 trains, and the interval is shortened to 60 minutes. In addition, 60 new branch line carriages are purchased and are expected to be delivered by the end of the year. They will be put into operation after testing next year. In the future, the new carriages will also provide bicycle parking spaces.
The Management Office of Canshan National Scenic Area pointed out that the "Two Railways and Branch Lines" event was launched on World Bicycle Day in June this year. Tourists ride bicycles from Ershui, Changhua, along "the most beautiful railway green corridor in Taiwan", passing through Nantou Zhuoshui Station, the lush Jiji Green Tunnel, and finally arriving at Jiji Station. They patrol around the nostalgic station and then take the branch train back to Changhua to appreciate the scenery along the line from a railway perspective. The activity has been well received and will continue to be implemented in the future.
The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Management Office said that during the suspension of the branch line, the old iron sheet vendor area next to Jiji Station will be demolished and rebuilt. In the future, it will become a semi-outdoor market with a "mountain-shaped" image, providing better leisure and shopping space. Next year, it will consider combining the Sun Moon Lake Fireworks Festival and planning a railway with an iron horse tour to allow tourists to swim in Shuili and Checheng Station, driving the development of local tourism.
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Jiji Line resumes full operation 2-2》Jiji Railway connects small towns and integrates Taiwan’s good transportation and low-carbon travel
The Taiwan Railway's Jiji branch line connects Nantou and Changhua. A "double railway" tour is provided at the mountainous area, allowing tourists to ride iron horses in the Jiji Green Tunnel and travel on the Taiwan Railway. (Picture provided by Shenshan Department)
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