Alishan Forest Railway Establishes a Significant Partnership with Australia's Zig Zag Railway

202512/10
The Alishan Forest Railway (AFR) and Australia’s Zig Zag Railway in New South Wales—two century-old mountain railways renowned for their switchback alignments—were officially twinned today (9 December) at Beimen station in Chiayi.

This new partnership highlights the engineering ingenuity that enabled both railways to overcome steep terrain and reflects their shared dedication to preserving mountain railway heritage. It also marks AFR’s first formal international collaboration in Oceania, further expanding its global network. With this agreement, AFR now has 10 sister railways across 6 countries—Japan, Switzerland, India, the United Kingdom, Slovakia and Australia.

Shared Histories and a Common Spirit of Resilience
Both AFR and the Zig Zag Railway originated as early transport routes—AFR supporting forestry operations and the Zig Zag Railway serving passengers and goods. Over time, each evolved into a heritage railway valued for tourism and cultural preservation.

The two railways have also faced and overcome significant natural disasters. AFR suffered extensive damage during major typhoons, while the Zig Zag Railway experienced severe bushfires and floods before being restored through the efforts of dedicated volunteers. Both have achieved full-line reopening in recent years, showcasing a shared resilience that forms the foundation of today’s partnership.

Following the resumption of international exchanges in 2023, AFR’s first post-pandemic overseas visit was to the Zig Zag Railway in the Blue Mountains. Technical discussions on steam locomotive maintenance, mountain railway safety, operations and volunteer management strengthened mutual understanding and paved the way for formal cooperation.

A Symbolic Ceremony and Future Collaboration
The sister railway partnership was inaugurated with a symbolic rail-fastening ceremony, representing the long-term friendship between the two railways. Director Wang Jau-Pao of the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office welcomed the visiting delegation, noting that the Australian team had shared their operational and maintenance practices with exceptional openness during AFR’s technical visit in October. This foundation of trust now supports further cooperation.

During the ceremony, Chiayi Mayor Huang Min-Hui remarked that the Alishan Forest Railway has long shaped Chiayi’s cultural identity and development. She added that today’s partnership links two heritage railways with unique histories and engineering significance, and expressed her hope that deeper cultural and technical exchanges will strengthen ties between Taiwan and Australia.

Director General Lin Hua-Ching of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency highlighted the strong similarities between the two railways—from the use of switchback alignments to the challenges posed by natural disasters. He emphasised AFR’s enthusiasm for future collaboration, particularly in working together on the restoration of AFR’s Shay locomotive, drawing upon the Zig Zag Railway team’s well-recognised expertise in steam locomotive and boiler maintenance and inspection.

Daniel Zolfel, Chief Executive of the Zig Zag Railway, stated that the partnership will advance on both technical and cultural fronts, covering areas such as steam locomotive restoration, heritage preservation, tourism promotion, linked ticketing and commemorative merchandise.

Echoes Across Borders to Mark New Chapter
The ceremony also marks the start of AFR’s seasonal programme. With this new partnership, the Alishan Forest Railway aims to strengthen international visibility and deepen cultural and technical cooperation. AFR looks forward to working with global partners to further heritage preservation and sustainable development.