Alishan Railway

[david.hill64]

Yesterday brought an unexpected business trip to the Alishan mountain railway in Taiwan. This railway was originally built during the Japanese period (1895-1945) to carry high quality timber from the forests of mount Ali to the plains at the town of Chiayi. It's narrow gauge and used Lima shay locos. Most of these still exist and three of the three cylinder versions 25, 26 and 31 have been restored for tourist trains at the mountain end of the line. The main line is currently closed due to landslides but will reopen later this year. The line has had a precarious existence for many years and only just survives. One reason is that it takes about 2 hours to get from Chiayi to Alishan by bus and about 5 hours by train. The rail journey though is quite an experience. You start from the subtropical jungle at sea level and as you rise over 3000m pass through different zones with changing flora and fauna until you reach the main forest area.One the way you go through the famous mount Duli spiral and a couple of z-switchbacks to gain altitude. I always thought that the spiral could be the focus of an interesting model.

 

 

 

The main depot is at Beimen (north gate) station in Chiayi, which also houses the 'railway garage'. This is open to the public. Before our meeting my colleague and I had a chance for a quick look round.

 

Number 25 was oiled up and smelling nice!

 

 

Diesels are the mainstay of the line.

 

 

Number 23 is on static display. Shays look boring on one side!

 

 

 

 

The turntable is used for turning the diesels as well as the steam locos.

 

 

There is a solitary European diesel built bu Orenstein and Koppel. A strange looking beast with outside frames and inside bogies. It fell out of use as the bogies hit the frames on curves...........

 

 

Parked behind was a two cylinder shay.

 

 

One of the original diesel locos is present, parked with a coach from the Lotung forest railway.

 

 

One of the original DMU's is also there, restored but not operational.

 

 

If this job happens, then I have the chance of getting up close and personal with a live shay: could be interesting.

Edited May 15, 2018 by david.hill64