Nanjing Railway Station Introduction
Nanjing Railway Station was established on April 20, 1901, at Shuijiao Tou in Shuishang Township (now Shuishang Station). In 1910, it was relocated to its current site to facilitate the transportation of sugar from the Nanjing Sugar Factory. In 1920, it was renamed Shuishang Station. The station building collapsed during a major earthquake in December 1941, and reconstruction was completed in 1943, at which point it was renamed Nanjing Station. Built of concrete in 1942, the station features a recessed main entrance, and the design of the restroom on the right interestingly matches the station building. The waiting area inside the station is entirely wooden, including the ticket counter, benches, and windows, which have aged beautifully. The spacious station yard narrates a glorious history from the past. Inside the yard, there is a siding railway leading to the Nanjing Sugar Factory. However, the Taiwan Sugar Railway operates on a narrow gauge of 76.2 cm, while Taiwan Railways uses a gauge of 106.7 cm, making the operation inconvenient; thus, a three-track design was created. The wider outer tracks are suitable for Taiwan Railways' freight trains, while the narrower inner tracks are meant for the factory's little trains. Many railway stations in southern Taiwan, such as Douliu, Dalin, and Xinying, feature this three-track design as they are located near sugar factories. However, the sugar industry has long declined, and the little trains have ceased operations, replaced by truck transportation. The prosperity of Shuishang Township in the past can be seen in the fact that "one township has three railway stations." Due to the thriving business of the Nanjing Sugar Factory, Shuishang Station became overcrowded, prompting the expansion of Nanjing Station to relieve the pressure. Later, with the excavation of the Beihui Mine, the need for transportation led to the construction of Beihui Station, and the bustling scene is easy to imagine. No wonder it remains a popular topic among the local elders to this day. As a witness to the rise and fall of the sugar industry, this old station is the only one along the Chiayi County trunk railway that retains its original appearance. Its charming nostalgic appeal is worth a visit.
