Checheng Recreation Area Introduction
Checheng Station is the starting and ending station of the Jiji Line. After the last train arrives at Checheng, the conductor and railway staff rest in the staff dormitory before departing the next day. The train is parked in the depot for maintenance and repairs. The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration renovated the former railway warehouse, which stored miscellaneous items, and created a railway culture park with surrounding railway facilities and businesses. The Japanese-style staff dormitory has been restored to its original architectural appearance, recreating the living scenes of the railway station master and staff, allowing visitors to experience Japanese aesthetic life. At the same time, the depot site has been preserved, enabling tourists to feel the historical atmosphere. Old carriages introduction: 1. American GM-EMD-S300 type shunting diesel-electric locomotive was purchased by Taiwan Railways in 1966. It is a lightweight locomotive for shunting and the most numerous type of such locomotives, with a maximum speed of 70 km/h and 950 HP. The total weight is 54 tons, with numbers from S301 to S321. Originally, there were 21 units, but due to their smaller engines and lower performance compared to the S200 type, they were gradually phased out, with most being scrapped, replaced by the new DHL100 type locomotives. Only S316 remains here and S318 at the Changhua train depot. 2. Carriage 10R104 refrigerated car was manufactured in 1928 in Japan, specifically designed during the Japanese occupation to transport frozen and fresh meat, fish, and seafood. It features a '+' marking indicating no air brakes, only air brake pipes connecting to adjacent vehicles, with a foot brake device to prevent slipping while stationary and as a braking aid while descending. Another characteristic is its all-white body, standing out among the many black freight cars. It was retired on June 30, 1984, and due to its unique shape, it has significant preservation value and has been designated as a railway relic, restored by the Kaohsiung depot for permanent preservation. 3. Carriage 10C1216 tarpaulin car was manufactured in 1920 in Japan, a wooden tarpaulin car for transporting 10 tons of goods during the Japanese occupation. It also has a '+' marking and similar brake features as the refrigerated car, retiring on August 26, 1992. It has been designated as a railway relic, restored by the Kaohsiung depot for permanent preservation. 4. Carriage 10EW11 water tank car was produced in 1931 in Japan, converted from the coal-and-water car behind steam locomotives. It is distinctive for being the shortest, with dimensions of 6,286mm x 2,100mm x 2,863mm, serving to supply steam for steam locomotives, retiring on November 7, 1995. It has been designated as a railway relic, restored by the Kaohsiung depot for permanent preservation. 5. Carriage 10K524 livestock car was made in 1967 in Japan. In the old agricultural society, railway transportation was the only option for long-distance journeys, with animals also needing transport. Distinguished by its surrounding horizontal railings, it could confine animals while providing ventilation, retiring on August 25, 2005. Due to its unique shape, it has been designated as a railway relic, restored by the Kaohsiung depot for permanent preservation. 6. Carriage 15V2016 ventilated car was manufactured in 1970 in Japan, designed for transporting fresh vegetables and fruits from rural areas to city markets before the era of highways. Its appearance is similar to tarpaulin cars but with 16 ventilation holes for loading fresh produce. It was notably in use during the peak banana export period to Japan in 1972, retiring on June 16, 2005. It has been designated as a railway relic, restored by the Kaohsiung depot for permanent preservation. 7. Carriage 25C10056 tarpaulin car, made in 1940 in Japan, was used to transport troops quickly from Japan during the Japanese occupation. Its distinct feature is its windowed design, equipped with rings for transporting horses. It served as a substitute passenger car in the early post-war period and for luggage in the 1980s, retiring in 1997. It has been designated as a railway relic, restored by the Kaohsiung depot for permanent preservation. 8. Carriage 35GF6061 substitute flatcar was made in 1958 in Japan and converted from a boxcar in the 1970s. Its distinguishing feature is the side beams equipped with side pillar holes, used for transporting logs and long materials, retiring on July 8, 2008. It has been designated as a railway relic, restored by the Kaohsiung depot for permanent preservation. 9. Carriage 35F20133 flatcar was manufactured in 1975 by Tangrong Manufacturing Company in Taipei. This freight car has a single platform for loading various types of long materials, containers, and military vehicles. Though it is an uncovered freight car similar to a boxcar, it lacks the side panels for general oversized cargo loading. It retired on September 10, 2008 and has been designated as a railway relic, restored by the Kaohsiung depot for permanent preservation. 10. Carriage 3CK1573 guard carriage was made in 1967 in Japan, situated at the front and rear of freight trains to carry the conductor and train personnel. Its unique feature is the conductor's room and handbrake system for emergency stops to maintain operational safety, retiring on March 3, 2009. Due to its distinctive design, it has significant preservation value and has been restored for permanent preservation.
