Beimen Station Introduction
Beimen Station is the former starting point of the forest railway steam train and also served as the cargo distribution center for the Alishan Railway. Essential daily supplies for the Alishan area were transported from here, highlighting its significant role. The Alishan Forest Railway is one of the world-renowned mountain railways, possessing a unique charm. Beimen Station, constructed with Taiwan's red cypress wood, was completed before the full opening of the Alishan Railway in 1912. After the new station was built twenty years ago, the old Beimen Station was repurposed as the office for train car maintenance personnel. The station covers an area of about 28 ping and consists primarily of an office, ticket counter, and waiting room. The Alishan Forest Railway is internationally famous for its rare features, including "spiral tracks," "Z-shaped ascents," and a "62.5 per thousand gradient." Beimen Station serves as the starting station for the Alishan Railway, with all station buildings made from high-quality red cypress sourced from Alishan, characterized by a classic and simple design. During the Japanese colonial period, forestry development became the most important economic source, with offices, lumber storage pools, sawmills, train repair shops, and forestry clubs established near Beimen Station, making it a vital center for the lumber industry. Initially operated by the Taiwan Colonial Development Company before the war, it was later transferred to the Forest Bureau after the war. In October of the 62nd year of the Republic, the new Beimen Station was completed and put into operation, marking the end of the old Beimen Station's service. The timber transported down the mountain by the Alishan Forest Railway gathered near Beimen Station, leading to the proliferation of lumber yards, timber businesses, sawmills, and processing factories. This boosted business opportunities for lumber merchants traveling between the north and south, resulting in the rapid increase of the population and a thriving freight industry. The Alishan Forest Railway is one of the last three mountain railways in the world, distinguished by its unique charm. Although the old station lost its functionality in March of the 63rd year of the Republic due to the construction of the new station, its simple exterior and facilities hold significant cultural heritage value, and the Chiayi City Government has designated it as a city historical site. Beimen Station is a Japanese-style wooden station with a building area of 95.15 square meters, divided into a ticket counter, waiting room, and office. It is currently planned to serve as a railway heritage exhibition hall, with public art installations such as "Landmark of Calling," "Time and Space Corridor," and "Ecological Art Wall" set up in the square in front of the station and its surrounding area, aimed at fostering a collective consciousness of railroad culture.
