Checheng Recreation Area Introduction
Checheng Station is the terminal station of the Jiji Line. After the last train arrives at Checheng, the train crew and railway staff rest at the staff dormitory and depart the next day. The train is parked in the maintenance yard for upkeep and repair. The management office of the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area renovated the former railway storage warehouse and other surrounding railway facilities and shops to form a railway cultural park. The Japanese-style staff dormitory has been restored to its original appearance, recreating the living scenes of the railway station master and staff, allowing visitors to experience Japanese aesthetics. The site also preserves the remnants of the maintenance yard, enabling visitors to feel the historical atmosphere. 1. **S300 Type Diesel-Electric Locomotive (Car No. S301~321)**: Purchased by Taiwan Railways in 1966. It is a lightweight shunting locomotive and is the most numerous shunting locomotive model with a top speed of 70 km/h and a horsepower of 950 HP. Weighing 54 tons, this model was gradually phased out due to underperformance compared to the S200 type. Only S316 is still preserved here, along with S318 at the Changhua Depot. 2. **10R104 Refrigerated Car**: Manufactured in Japan in 1928, this specially designed freight car was used during the Japanese occupation to transport frozen meat, fresh fish, and seafood. Notably, it features a "+" mark indicating the absence of air brakes, with only air brake pipes connecting to adjacent cars. Its all-white steel body stands out among the predominantly black freight cars. It was retired on June 30, 1984, and is now preserved as a railway heritage vehicle. 3. **10C1216 Covered Car**: Also manufactured in Japan in 1920, this wooden covered car carried up to 10 tons of goods during the Japanese occupation. It features a "+" mark indicating no air brakes. This covered car was retired on August 26, 1992, and is now preserved as a railway heritage vehicle. 4. **10EW11 Water Tank Car**: Built in Japan in 1931, this car was converted from a coal water car used behind steam locomotives. It is notably the shortest car, measuring 6,286mm x 2,100mm x 2,863mm, used for supplying steam power. It was retired on November 7, 1995, and is now preserved as a railway heritage vehicle. 5. **10K524 Livestock Car**: Manufactured in Japan in 1967, it served as the sole option for transporting livestock in the agricultural society of the past. The car features railings and ventilation for the animals. It was retired on August 25, 2005, and is now preserved as a railway heritage vehicle. 6. **15V2016 Ventilated Car**: Built in Japan in 1970, it enabled fresh fruits and vegetables from rural areas to be quickly delivered to urban markets prior to the construction of expressways. It shares a similar appearance with the covered car but has 16 ventilation holes for cargo. This model gained popularity during the banana exports to Japan in 1972 and was retired on June 16, 2005, being preserved as a railway heritage vehicle. 7. **25C10056 Covered Car**: Constructed in Japan in 1940, this car was designed for the swift transportation of military horses. It had large windows and was later used as a substitute passenger car and baggage car in the early days after the retrocession. It was retired in 1997 and is preserved as a railway heritage vehicle. 8. **35GF6061 Substitute Flat Car**: Built in Japan in 1958 and converted from a gondola in the 1970s, this flat car has side columns for transporting logs and long items. It was retired on July 8, 2008, and is preserved as a railway heritage vehicle. 9. **35F20133 Flat Car**: Manufactured in 1975 at Tangrong Taipei Machinery Factory, this flat car can carry various long items and military vehicles. As an open car without sideboards, it can accommodate large cargo. It was retired on September 10, 2008, and is preserved as a railway heritage vehicle. 10. **3CK1573 Safety Car**: Built in Japan in 1967, this car, used at the front and back of freight trains, is designed to carry crew members. It has a crew cabin and emergency brake controls. It was retired on March 3, 2009, and is preserved as a railway heritage vehicle. 11. **Signal Tower**: This is the first railway facility in the country successfully preserved. Originally located at Zhunan Station on the West Coast Line, it features Japanese National Railway's mechanical signaling equipment. Installed in 1943, it served as a control center for train movements. After the electrification of the railway, the towers were phased out, and this particular one was relocated to Checheng Station in Jiji County, where efforts to collect and preserve relevant railway facilities began. The site is now an outdoor railway exhibition area, open daily from 09:00 to 17:00.
