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202405/06
In 2017, the Alishan Forest Railway under the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA), Ministry of Agriculture, became a sister railway with the UK’s Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway (W&LLR), which has the same 762mm gauge. On November 22, 2022, the Alishan Forest Railway signed an agreement with the W&LLR to lend the DL-34 diesel locomotive to the W&LLR for operation for a three-year period. After traveling 9,971 kilometers and arriving in the UK in early 2023, the train made its maiden voyage in the Welsh Highland on May 4 after more than a year of preparations and necessary modifications. The classic red locomotive was adorned with Taiwan’s national flag, which waved in the wind as the train traveled through the verdant fields of the region.
Director General Lin Hwa-Ching of the FANCA, who facilitated the sister railway exchange between Taiwan and the UK, said that after the Alishan Forest Railway and the W&LLR became sister railways in 2017, they actively negotiated with the British side on follow-up exchanges and collaboration opportunities. Michael Reilly, the Secretary of the W&LLR, put forward the proposal to have the Alishan Forest Railway’s existing diesel locomotive run on their railway. After the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office under the FANCA evaluated the proposal and found it feasible, both sides began to prepare for the loan of the diesel locomotive for the cooperation program.
After overcoming many obstacles such as the COVID-19 pandemic and difficulties finding an available slot for international sea freight, the DL-34 locomotive was successfully delivered to Wales in February 2023. However, because its coupling and braking systems were incompatible with the existing train carriages of the W&LLR, the technical volunteers of the W&LLR and the Alishan Forest Railway technical staff had to overcome distance and language barriers to hold cross-national discussions on technical details. The Alishan Forest Railway technicians even produced bilingual videos on mechanical parts and operating instructions to help both sides confirm the adjustments to the train systems.
After over a year of preparations, this 50-year-old Alishan red locomotive in perfect running condition was finally able to carry passengers through the Welsh Highland. The red ambassador was designated to carry out the mission of railway heritage preservation and forest railway culture and history promotion in Taiwan and the UK. Traveling thousands of miles to Wales, the locomotive showcased the importance of maintaining and celebrating the cultural heritage of railways through bilateral efforts.
At the inaugural ceremony held at Caereinion Station, Steve Clews, Chairman of the W&LLR, praised the classic red hue of the Alishan locomotive, which is particularly eye-catching as it traverses the green hills and fields of Wales. He also voiced his admiration for Taiwan’s determination to facilitate cross-border exchanges and to overcome various challenges through the hard work of the team led by Lin Hwa-Ching, Director General of the FANCA. As the Alishan Forest Railway is set to re-open fully in July this year after 15 years of reconstruction work, the world will have an opportunity to witness Taiwan’s incredible resilience when facing challenges. Steve Clew added that the wonderful encounter between the W&LLR and the Alishan Forest Railway is the result of six years of ongoing discussions and hard work between the two sides, and it is also an important opportunity for the partnership to carry on into the future.
The DL-34 locomotive launched upon its maiden voyage in the Welsh Highland under the witness of Director General Lin Hwa-Ching of the FANCA; Director Chen Chi-Young of the Economic Division, Taipei Representative Office in the United Kingdom; W&LLR’s Chairman Steve Clews, Deputy Chairman Tony Thorndike, Trustee Helen Ashby, and Secretary Michael Reilly; Lord William Hague, former Foreign Secretary of the UK; local dignitaries Russell George (Welsh MP) and Craig Williams (Welsh MP); and members of the public.
In addition to the inaugural ceremony, “The Railway Journey”, a photo exhibition on the theme of Taiwan-UK exchanges, was also launched at the station on the same day, aiming to highlight the profound friendship that has been developed between the Alishan Forest Railway and the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway in the UK, mediated by the DL-34 locomotive. Michael Reilly, Secretary of the W&LLR, said that May to August was the peak season for them, and this photo exhibition was one of many activities planned for the DL-34. The exhibition will be open every day during this period with volunteer guides, and it will only be open on weekends from September onwards.
Lin Hwa-Ching said that the Alishan Forest Railway was the best business card for Taiwan to meet more friends from around the globe. He hoped that the Alishan Forest Railway’s DL-34 locomotive could become Taiwan’s eco-cultural tourism ambassador. Since the Alishan Forest Railway will be fully operational in July this year, he also invited friends from the W&LLR and the UK who are passionate about heritage railways around the world to come to Taiwan to witness the event together. He hoped that this convergence of paths forged in Wales could inspire more railway and mountain enthusiasts to come and explore the beauty of Taiwan’s forest railway.