Taiwan railway systems were constructed in the early years of the Kuang Hsu period of the Ching Dynasty from a request by the Taiwan Governor Liu Ming Chuan 109 years ago.
In the 20th year of Guang Shue (1894 A.D. ), the Ching Empire severed Taiwan and the island became a colony of Japan. Used railway materials were dismantled from Japanese domestic lines and shipped to Taiwan to extend various lines to exploit natural resources. Therefore, the loading capacity of bridges along the lines differed from place to place. Railway cars could not continue through the full length of the line.
After the restoration of Taiwan from the war with the Japanese, the railroads in Taiwan were in ruins and there was privation everywhere owing to the bombardment by the allied forces. Furthermore, with the scarcity of materials plus damage by typhoons and floods, the railroads were in serious need of repair. At the time, the Japanese TRA personnel returning to Japan said the Taiwan railway would be paralyzed within six months. This was not far from the truth. Fortunately, the railway personnel from Mainland China with locals overcame all of the obstacles and maintained service on the railway. Later on the railway systems were gradually trimmed and extended according to priorities.
More recently, with the prosperity of society and the fast growth of industry and business, the TRA saw great progress and improvement; from steam to diesel to electrical locomotives and other modernization.
●Service Hot Line of Each Station
http://www.railway.gov.tw/en/service/service-1.aspx
●Toll Free Service Hot Line
http://www.railway.gov.tw/en/service/service-2.aspx
●Train Ticket Information
http://www.railway.gov.tw/en/ticket/ticket-1.aspx
●Contact info.
Taiwan Railways Administration http://www.railway.gov.tw/en/index/index.aspx
Address: No.3, Beiping W. Rd., Jhongjheng District, Taipei City 100, Taiwan
TEL: 886-2-2381-5226
