Checheng Recreation Area Introduction
Checheng Station is the terminal station of the Jiji Branch Line. After the last train arrives at Checheng, the train conductor and railway staff take a rest in the staff dormitory before departing the next day. The train stops at the maintenance depot for servicing and repairs. The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration has renovated the former railway warehouse, which stored miscellaneous items, into an office and visitor center for Checheng. This has created a railway cultural park with surrounding railway facilities and businesses. 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 aesthetic living. The site of the maintenance depot has also been preserved, enabling visitors to feel the atmosphere of that era. Old rolling stock introduced: 1. **Car No. S301~321:** The American GM-EMD-S300 type diesel-electric switcher was purchased by Taiwan Railways in 1966. It was a lightweight switcher locomotive, and the most numerous model among diesel-electric switchers. Its top speed was 70 km/hr, with a horsepower of 950 HP and a total weight of 54 tons. Originally there were 21 units, but due to its smaller engine, it was gradually phased out as it could not match the performance of the S200 model, with most being scrapped in favor of new DHL100 model locomotives. Only S316 remains here, and S318 is located at the Changhua Depot. 2. **Car No. 10R104 Refrigerated Car:** Manufactured in 1928 in Japan, this specially made freight car was used during the Japanese colonial era to transport frozen and preserved meat, fresh fish, and seafood. It is characterized by a "+" sign on the car, indicating it lacks a pneumatic brake system, connecting only to adjacent cars with brake pipes. It has a braking mechanism to prevent movement when stationary, and it was retired on June 30, 1984. Due to its unique shape, it has significant preservation value and is designated as a railway heritage vehicle, restored by the Kaohsiung Depot for permanent preservation. 3. **Car No. 10C1216 Covered Car:** Manufactured in 1920 in Japan, this wooden covered freight car used to transport 10 tons of goods during the Japanese colonial era. It bears the "+" mark to indicate no pneumatic brake system, has brake pipes connecting adjacent cars, and features a braking mechanism to prevent rolling. It was retired on August 26, 1992, and is now restored for permanent preservation as a railway heritage vehicle. 4. **Car No. 10EW11 Water Tank Car:** Manufactured in 1931 in Japan, this car was modified from prior coal and water cars used behind steam locomotives. Its unique feature is its short body, with dimensions of 6,286 mm x 2,100 mm x 2,863 mm, serving as a supply car for steam locomotives. It retired on November 7, 1995, and is now preserved as a railway heritage vehicle. 5. **Car No. 10K524 Livestock Car:** Manufactured in 1967 in Japan, this car was used for livestock transport during the agricultural era when rail transport was the only long-distance option. The only difference is that most livestock were transported in livestock cars to urban areas for delivery to slaughterhouses. The car's design is surrounded by horizontal railings for ventilation while confining the animals. It retired on August 25, 2005, and is preserved as a railway heritage vehicle. 6. **Car No. 15V2016 Ventilated Car:** Manufactured in 1970 in Japan, this ventilated car was essential for transporting fresh produce from rural areas to urban markets during the era without highways. Its appearance resembles that of a covered car, distinguished by 16 ventilation holes for carrying fresh vegetables. It was notable during the peak of banana exports to Japan in 1972 and retired on June 16, 2005. It is now a designated railway heritage vehicle. 7. **Car No. 25C10056 Covered Car:** Manufactured in 1940 in Japan, it was introduced to quickly transport troops from Japan during the Japanese colonial era. It has sliding windows and is equipped with horse restraints for transporting military horses. Post-war, it served as a temporary passenger car and later as baggage transport in the 1980s, retiring in 1997. This unique car is preserved as a railway heritage vehicle. 8. **Car No. 35GF6061 Replacement Flat Car:** Manufactured in 1958 in Japan, this car was modified from an open car to a flat car in the 1970s. Its side beams are equipped with side pillar holes for transporting timber and long materials. It retired on July 8, 2008, being preserved as a railway heritage vehicle. 9. **Car No. 35F20133 Flat Car:** Built in 1975 by Tangrong Machinery Factory in Taipei, this flat car, which has only one platform, can carry various long items, containers, and military vehicles. It is noteworthy for being an open freight car without side panels, suitable for loading large freight items. It also retired on September 10, 2008, and is designated as a railway heritage vehicle. 10. **Car No. 3CK1573 Guard Car:** Manufactured in 1967 in Japan, this car is attached to the front and rear of freight trains, carrying the train conductor and attendant staff. Its unique feature includes a conductor's compartment and a handbrake to control the entire train during emergencies for safety. It retired on March 3, 2009.
