Checheng Recreational Area Introduction
Checheng Station is the terminal station of the Jiji Line. After the last train arrives at Checheng, the train crew and railway staff rest in the staff dormitory before departing the next day, while the train is parked in the maintenance facility for upkeep and repair. The management office and visitor center of the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration have renovated the former railway warehouse that stored miscellaneous items, transforming it into the Checheng Management Station, which, along with surrounding railway facilities and businesses, forms a railway culture park. The Japanese-style staff dormitory has been restored to resemble its original architecture, recreating the living scenes of the railway station master and staff, allowing visitors to experience Japanese aesthetic living. The maintenance facility ruins have also been preserved, enabling visitors to feel the historical atmosphere. Old train cars introduction: 1. The GM-EMD-S300 Type Shunting Locomotive was purchased by Taiwan Railway Administration in 1966 (Republic of China Year 55). It is one of the lightweight shunting locomotives used by the Taiwan Railway and the most numerous type. It has a maximum speed of 70 km/h, 950 HP of power, and a total weight of 54 tons, with numbers S301 to S321. Originally, there were 21 units, but due to smaller engines having less power and speed compared to other models, the S300 type has been gradually phased out as its service life ended. Currently, only S316 remains here and S318 in the Changhua locomotive section. 2. Railcar 10R104 Refrigerated Car, manufactured in 1928 in Japan, was specially built to transport frozen and fresh meat, fish, and seafood during the Japanese colonial period. Its distinctive feature is the "+" marking on the car which indicates the absence of air brake devices, relying solely on air brake pipes connecting the front and rear vehicles, with devices to prevent rolling while parked and serve as brakes when rolling. Another notable feature is its all-white body, making it stand out among black freight cars. It retired on June 30, 1984, and due to its unique design, it has substantial preservation value and has been designated as a railway heritage vehicle, restored by the Kaohsiung locomotive section of the Bureau for permanent preservation. 3. Railcar 10C1216 Covered Wagon, manufactured in 1920 in Japan, was a wooden cover car designed to transport up to 10 tons of goods during the Japanese colonial era. It features the "+" marking indicating no air brake devices and relies on air brake pipes. It retired on August 26, 1992, and has been designated as a railway heritage vehicle for preservation due to its unique design. 4. Railcar 10EW11 Water Tank Car, manufactured in 1931 in Japan, was converted from the coal and water car used behind steam trains. Its characteristics include being the shortest car with specifications of 6,286mm x 2,100mm x 2,863mm, serving equipment for supplying steam power to steam locomotives. It retired on November 7, 1995, and was designated as a railway heritage vehicle for preservation. 5. Railcar 10K524 Livestock Car, manufactured in 1967 in Japan, was used for transporting livestock in the old agricultural society where rail transport was the only long-distance option for animals. Animals were transported in livestock cars to urban areas for slaughter. The car is surrounded by horizontal railings to allow ventilation while keeping animals contained. It retired on August 25, 2005, and has been designated as a railway heritage vehicle for preservation. 6. Railcar 15V2016 Ventilated Car, produced in 1970 in Japan, was used for transporting fresh vegetables and fruits from rural areas to city markets before the era of highways. Similar in appearance to covered wagons but featuring 16 ventilation holes for loading fresh produce. This model was notably used during Taiwan's banana exports to Japan in 1972. It retired on June 16, 2005, and has been designated as a railway heritage vehicle for preservation. 7. Railcar 25C10056 Covered Wagon, manufactured in 1940 in Japan, was introduced during the Japanese colonial era to quickly transport troops. It features windowed freight space designed for transporting military horses. Initially used as an alternative passenger car, it served as a luggage car in the 1980s and retired in 1997. It has been designated as a railway heritage vehicle for preservation. 8. Railcar 35GF6061 Substitute Flat Car, manufactured in 1958 in Japan, was transformed from open cars into flat cars in the 1970s. It features side pillar holes designed for transporting logs and long materials. It retired on July 8, 2008, and has been designated as a railway heritage vehicle for preservation. 9. Railcar 35F20133 Flat Car, produced in 1975 by Tangrong Taipei Machinery Factory, has a single platform for loading various long goods, containers, and military vehicles. While it is an uncovered freight car, it has no side panels for general large cargo loading. It retired on September 10, 2008, and has been designated as a railway heritage vehicle for preservation. 10. Railcar 3CK1573 Guard Car, manufactured in 1967 in Japan, is attached to both ends of freight trains to carry the train crew and staff. It features a crew compartment and manual brake system so that in emergencies, the crew can control the entire train's stop for safety. It retired on March 3, 2009.
