Hamasen Railway Cultural Park Introduction
The Hama Star Railway Cultural Park, located near light rail and MRT stations, has preserved the old railway branch lines and vintage trains from the past. Whether you are a railway enthusiast or a traveler, you can ride on the "Hama Star Train" and step onto the nostalgic "Dudu Train" to experience the prosperous century-long history of the railway port city. You can also visit other attractions such as the Pier-2 Art Center and the Warehouse No. 2, allowing you to fully appreciate Kaohsiung's rich cultural and artistic heritage. The history of Hama Star dates back to the Japanese colonial period. With the development of Kaohsiung Harbor and the flourishing of railway transportation, this area became an important freight base in the south. In 1900, the Taiwan North-South Railway was first opened to Tainan, establishing a temporary "Dagou Station," initiating the connection between the railway and the port. To meet the growing demand for port transportation, reclamation projects began in 1904, expanding the new port area and railway facilities, and Hama Star was born on this newly formed land. In 1908, Dagou Station (now the Old Dagou Station Story House) was officially completed, becoming the first train station in Kaohsiung. The "Coastal Line" and "Commercial Port Line" closely connected the port and the city, with the Japanese pronunciation of the Coastal Line being "Ha-Ma-Sen," hence the name "Hama Star." A must-visit for railway enthusiasts! The Old Dagou Station Story House, located within the Hama Star Railway Cultural Park, is the original station of the early Dagou Station and has witnessed the rise of Kaohsiung Harbor and the glorious history of railway transportation. Dagou Station was officially opened in 1908, but it suffered extensive bombing during World War II and was almost completely destroyed. The existing station structure is from the reconstruction in 1947 and continued to operate as the Taiwan Railway Kaohsiung Port Station until it ceased operations in 2008. As Kaohsiung's railway transportation entered a new era, this century-old station transformed into today's Old Dagou Station Story House, allowing people to look back at the golden age of railways. For more information, please refer to: Old Dagou Station Story House. Reviving the Coastal Line – The "Hama Star Train" is back! To ensure that railway culture is not limited to static displays, the park will launch the "Hama Star Train" coastal sightseeing train in November 2024, bringing the train back to this historic railway. This short journey of only 540 meters is not just a nostalgic trip but also a time-traveling tour of railway culture, allowing visitors to ride on a freight train and feel how the railway has influenced Kaohsiung’s development over the past century. Hama Star Train boarding information: Departure times: 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM / 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM, departing every half hour (every Saturday, Sunday, and national holidays) Ticket purchase: Online booking or at the "Hama Star Train" ticket window next to the Old Dagou Station Story House. Dudu Train – Memories and rebirth of Kaohsiung Harbor. The Dudu Train, remodeled from Taiwan Railway's Diesel Multiple Unit train, operated on the Kaohsiung Port Line between 2003 and 2006 and became a shared memory for the residents of Kaohsiung. At that time, these trains were painted in colorful designs with dining tables and a bar inside, making them one of the few tourist-oriented modified trains of Taiwan Railway. After being preserved and saved by the Kaohsiung City Government's Cultural Bureau, and with the introduction of unique businesses, the Dudu Train has been reborn in the Hama Star Railway Cultural Park, becoming a part of cultural history and bringing people new memories and experiences. Experience the diverse integration of history and art. In addition to the exhibition of a century-old railway and vintage trains, the Hama Star Railway Cultural Park also features large-scale installation art, with oversized luggage and gramophones made of iron sculptures on the grass, attracting visiting travelers to pause and appreciate—every corner is the best photo opportunity. Detailed transportation information for visiting Hama Star.
