Alishan Forest Railway was Invited to Germany for the Full Line Opening Ceremony of the Hermann-Hesse Railway. Engaging in International Professional Exchange on Tunnel Engineering and Cultural Governance

202602/02
The Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office (the AFRCHO), under the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, was invited to Germany from January 28 to January 31, 2026, to attend the full line opening ceremony of the Hermann-Hesse-Bahn (Hermann Hesse Railway). During the visit, the delegation engaged in multiple exchanges with German local governments, railway professionals, and civil railway organizations, sharing experiences in mountain railway restoration and governance practices.

The opportunity for this exchange originated in 2025, when recipients of the Life Contribution Award, invited by the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation, visited Taiwan and conducted on-site visits to the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area and the AFRCHO. During the visit, Dr. Clemens Götz (former Mayor of Althengstett, Germany) and Mr. Ryyan Alshebl (Mayor of Ostelsheim, Germany) were deeply impressed by the Alishan Forest Railway's integration with its nature and the environment. Through the English edition of “Echoes along the 2421 m ascent: travelogue of the Alishan Forest Railway” they further gained insight into the engineering challenges, ecological considerations, and decision-making processes behind the restoration of Tunnel No. 42.

After returning to Germany, the award recipients shared their observations with professionals of the Hermann Hesse Railway. Those professionals found that both the Alishan Forest Railway and the Hermann Hesse Railway achieved full line operation through critical tunnel projects, and both faced similar challenges in addressing ecological conservation and environmental coexistence during planning and construction. Based on this shared professional understanding and resonance, the German side extended a special invitation to AFRCHO as an international guest to attend the opening ceremony, marking a reciprocal exchange of railway expertise.

The AFRCHO delegation was led by Director Wang Jau-Pao. In addition to attending the opening ceremony, the delegation was formally received by Mr. F. Kling, Mayor of Calw, and learned how the city integrates railway development with the literary landscape of Nobel laureate Hermann Hesse. Through exhibitions and themed travel programs, the railway has become an important medium for cultural governance and public communication. During the visit, the delegation also met with Director Chao Yen-Ching of the Taipeh Vertretung in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, expressing appreciation for the office's assistance in facilitating the Taiwan–Germany railway exchange and itinerary arrangements.

The opening ceremony of the Hermann Hesse Railway was officially hosted by Mr. Winfried Hermann, Department Manager of the Minister of Transport of the State of Baden-Württemberg, and attended by Mr. Helmut Riegger, District Administrator of Calw, as well as several mayors, members of parliament, and public affairs representatives. This event demonstrated strong support from both state and local governments for regional railway revitalization and sustainable transportation policies, and provided a solid public foundation for Taiwan–Germany railway cooperation.

During the exchange program, both sides conducted site visits and technical discussions on the Tunnel-in-Tunnel engineering approach, sharing experiences on balancing operational safety with ecological conservation, cultural preservation, and public communication. These experiences offer valuable reference for forest railways facing frequent natural disasters and stringent regulatory environments.

In addition, the AFRCHO team held discussions with the Friends of the Württemberg Black Forest Railway, introducing the recent restoration and transformation of the Alishan Forest Railway. Through “Echoes along the 2421 m ascent” and related audiovisual materials, the team shared the process of building trust with local communities throughout the railway restoration. During the visit, the Chanson Ensemble performed “Alishan Forest Railway Musical Journey” at the Ostelsheim City Hall, using music and art to engage local residents and present the contemporary cultural, natural, and railway landscape of Alishan and its stations.

Director Wang Jau-Pao remarked, “Whether in Alishan or in Germany, tunnel engineering is a true test of determination and resilience. Completing these projects is not merely about structural restoration, but about rebuilding public trust in the railway as something worthy of long-term commitment.” He noted that the exchange demonstrated how forest railways in different countries, despite facing distinct natural conditions and regulatory systems, share common challenges and values in engineering decisions, cultural responsibility, and social communication.

The AFRCHO stated that it will continue to maintain contact with German counterparts on tunnel engineering, railway governance models, and cultural exchange, with the aim of gradually expanding long-term and substantive international cooperation based on professional dialogue.