Checheng Recreation Area Introduction
Checheng Station is the starting and ending point of the Jiji Line. After the last train arrives at Checheng, the train crew and railway staff rest at the staff dormitory and set off again the next day. The trains are parked in the maintenance depot for upkeep and repairs. The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration has renovated the railway warehouse that used to store miscellaneous items and transformed it into the Checheng Management Station office and visitor center, creating a railway cultural park alongside surrounding railway facilities and businesses. The staff dormitory, designed in the Japanese style, has been restored to its original architectural appearance, replicating the living scenes of the station master and staff from that time, allowing visitors to experience Japanese aesthetic living; at the same time, the remnants of the maintenance depot have been preserved so that visitors can feel the historical atmosphere. Old train car introductions: 1. **US GM-EMD-S300 type diesel-electric shunting locomotive**: Purchased by Taiwan Railways in 1966, this lightweight locomotive is the most numerous shunting diesel-electric locomotive model with a maximum speed of 70 km/h and a power of 950 HP. Originally, there were 21 units (numbers S301 to S321), but due to underperformance compared to the S200 type, these were gradually phased out as their service life ended, now largely scrapped. Only S316 remains here and S318 at the Changhua locomotive section. 2. **10R104 Refrigerated Car**: Manufactured in Japan in 1928, this special freight car was used in the Japanese colonial period for transporting frozen meat, fresh fish, and seafood. It’s notable for its "plus" marking indicating it lacks an air brake but has an air brake line connecting front and rear cars, and a braking mechanism. It features an all-white steel body that stands out among black freight cars and was set aside for preservation in June 1984 after its service ended. 3. **10C1216 Covered Car**: Built in Japan in 1920, this wooden car carries a ten-ton capacity and has similar "plus" markings indicating it lacks air brakes. It retired in August 1992 and has been preserved as a railway artifact due to its distinctive shape. 4. **10EW11 Tank Car**: Constructed in Japan in 1931 from former coal and water cars, this small tank car has specific dimensions and served steam engines. It was retired in November 1995 and preserved due to its unique design. 5. **10K524 Livestock Car**: Manufactured in Japan in 1967, it was used during the agricultural era for transporting livestock. Its design includes horizontal rails for ventilation. It retired in August 2005 and has been preserved because of its distinct form. 6. **15V2016 Ventilated Car**: This 1970 Japanese-made car transported fresh produce before express highways existed. It has 16 ventilation holes for loading and retired in June 2005, also preserved as a railway artifact. 7. **25C10056 Covered Car**: Built in Japan in 1940 for transporting military horses and used as a substitute passenger car post World War II, it retired in 1997 and is preserved for its unique design. 8. **35GF6061 Substitute Flat Car**: This car was manufactured in Japan in 1958 and modified from a gondola in the 1970s for transporting lumber. It was retired in July 2008 and is preserved due to its unique design. 9. **35F20133 Flat Car**: Manufactured in 1975, this car can load various elongated items and was widely used during the 1980s when container transport peaked. It retired in September 2008 and is preserved for its distinctive shape. 10. **3CK1573 Guard Car**: Produced in 1967, this car is attached to the front and rear of freight trains, carrying the train crew. It features a control cabin for emergency stops and retired in March 2009.
