Nanjing Station Introduction
Nanjing Railway Station was established on April 20, 1901, at Shuijue Head in Shuishang Township (now Shuishang Station). In 1910, it was relocated to its current site in conjunction with the establishment of Nanjing Sugar Factory for sugar transportation. It was renamed Shuishang Station in 1920. During the earthquake in December 1941, the station building collapsed, and reconstruction was completed in 1943, when it was renamed Nanjing Station. The station was built with cement in 1942; the main entrance is notably recessed, and the restroom on the right has an interesting design that complements the station building. The waiting room inside the station is entirely wooden, with wooden ticket counters, benches, and even windows that reflect a charming vintage style after years of use. The expansive station yard speaks of its glorious past. Inside the yard, there is a siding railway that leads to the Nanjing Sugar Factory. However, the Taiwan Sugar Railway operates on a gauge of 76.2 cm, while the TRA uses a gauge of 106.7 cm, making the dual-gauge operation quite inconvenient. As a solution, a three-track railway design was implemented, where the outer tracks accommodate TRA freight cars, and the inner narrow tracks are suitable for the sugar factory’s small trains. Many railway stations in southern Taiwan near sugar factories, such as Douliu, Dalin, and Xinying, feature this three-track design. However, the once-thriving sugar industry is now a thing of the past, and the small trains from the sugar factory have ceased operations, replaced by motor vehicle transport. The prosperity of Shuishang Township can be gauged by the existence of "three stations in one township." The flourishing business of the Nanjing Sugar Factory led to overcapacity at Shuishang Station, prompting the expansion of Nanjing Station to alleviate the issues. Later, the excavation of the Beihui Mine further increased the demand for transportation, resulting in the construction of Beihui Station, painting a picture of bustling activity. It’s no wonder that this remains a topic of fond reminiscence among the local elders. This old station, which witnessed the rise and fall of the sugar industry, is the only remaining station along the Chiayi County trunk line that preserves its original appearance. Its charming nostalgic allure is certainly worth a visit.
