Binhang Old Railway Station Introduction
Taitung Bailing Station was established in 1922 during the period of Japanese colonial rule in Taiwan, known as a train greeting station. The narrow-gauge trains at that time ran along the old Beinan River, passing through Bailing, Dongcheng, Chulu, Jiafeng, Zhongxing to Luyun Station. In 1943, Bailing Station was upgraded to a train station, and after Taiwan's restoration, it was renamed Bailing Station. With the completion of the eastern railway widening project, Bailing Station, along with Jiafeng, Dongcheng, Chulu, and three other stations, was declared closed in 1982. Bailing Station is a mini train station but also plays a crucial role in the north-south train passing operations. The station features a Japanese-style wooden station building, built in two levels due to the terrain elevation: the upper level houses the ticket office, station building, and waiting room, while the lower level serves as the station staff's residence, rich in history. Located between Luyun and Taitung Stations, Bailing Station's biggest feature, like Jiafeng Station, is its uncommon return-style station design due to a gradient exceeding 2.1%. Regularly scheduled trains often need to stop and wait here before being allowed to depart after the opposing single-track train has entered the station. Bailing Station is the last remaining Japanese wooden train station along the eastern railway line that was closed. Its wooden station building's basic structure remains solid, and the adjacent cement ticket office, wooden toilet, and water tower for steam locomotives are all well-preserved. However, the main station building has gradually fallen into disrepair, while the surrounding old trees provide shade, unexpectedly hiding the Bailing old station. This creates a dreamlike atmosphere for those seeking a glimpse of nostalgia from the past.
