Sugar Railroad in Taiwan

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Train with Diema diesel locomotive near Maguang (TuKu)

The sugar railways in Taiwan consisted of an extensive network of narrow-gauge railways with a gauge of 762 mm (two and a half feet). This network was particularly focused on the southern and central parts of Taiwan . Today a small part of the network is still in operation. In many cases, three- rail tracks (762 mm and 1067 mm) were laid, so that the freight trains could be transferred from the sugar factories directly to the main lines of the state railway. Because of its narrow gauge compared to the standard gauge (1435 mm), this railway is also popularly known in Taiwan as the "50% railway" (Fifty percent rail).

The railways carried the sugar cane from the fields to the sugar factories ; In some cases, there was also restricted passenger traffic - especially for the employees of the sugar factories, but also for schoolchildren.

Most of these narrow-gauge railways were also connected to the main lines, so that in some cases there was also a transfer of people. Until the 1970s, the lines were served by steam locomotives . Then there was a change to diesel operation . Diesel locomotives from the German company Diema were and are still being used in some cases .

The sugar railways were mainly created during the Japanese occupation (1895–1945) in the early years of the 20th century. During the heyday, Meji Sugar Co. Ltd. over a rail network of over 3000 kilometers. In 2003, the network operated was only 240 kilometers long. Regular passenger traffic ceased in 1982. Since then, sugar cane transport by truck has dominated.

The Taiwanese sugar factories were also affected by the global drop in sugar prices, so they were gradually closed. After sugar was Taiwan's top export for decades, sugar became an import commodity. The existing sugar factories were gradually closed. Only the factories in Huwei and Tainan are still in operation. Rail traffic still takes place here today. The route between the sugar factory in Huwei and the city of Maguang was still in operation during the harvest season from December to mid-April 2015. In 2015, trains can still be observed on the route all day with up to four pairs of trains per day. It is currently not intended to discontinue this last line in service.

Some other short stretches have also been preserved and are now used for tourist purposes.

The Xihu Sugar Factory was one of the first to receive approval to operate tourist trains. Today, the trains travel a remaining distance of around seven kilometers through factory premises and fields. In the meantime, Xihu has become a popular weekend excursion destination.

photos

  • Steam locomotive SL 346 (built in Tubize) of the sugar factory in Xihu

  • former station building of the sugar factory in Xihu

  • Xihu Sugar Factory Tourist Train

  • Loading station for sugar cane at Maguang (TuKu)

  • Sugar factory in Huwei

  • Route to the sugar factory through Huwei

Literature / sources

  • Gu Ren-Rong: Unlimited feelings for trains . Railway Cultural Society, 2003
  • Rail Travel Magazine - published in Taiwan in twelve volumes
  • Taiwan Railways Annual Report - Annual reports from the Taiwan Railways Association
  • Website of the Tourism Bureau, Republic of China (Taiwan) - see link below.

Web links

Commons : Sugar railways in Taiwan  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files