A three-year transnational research project funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), titled "Representing Rail: Railway Heritage in Transnational Contexts,” has brought international academic focus to Taiwan. From July 14 to 16, 2026, project member Dr. Carolyn Holbrook, an Associate Professor from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Deakin University, along with heritage specialist Sophie Butler, conducted a three-day intensive field study along the Alishan Forest Railway. This prominent visit was highly recommended by Mr. Tim North, Chairman of the Puffing Billy Railway Board, who previously led a delegation to Taiwan in 2019 and hosted the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) in Australia in 2023. The fieldwork aims to explore how a century-old railway fosters deep-rooted connections with local community life through historical and social lenses.From Engineering Feats to Place-Based Education: Rooting Cultural Heritage in Youth and SchoolsAccompanied by the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office (AFRCHO) team, the two scholars boarded the Alishan train to examine its unique engineering features designed to overcome steep terrains, while observing the changing natural landscapes. The itinerary included in-depth visits to various forest railway stations, historic streetscapes and local communities, Linsen Primary School, Yuanchong Primary School, the Alishan Youth Ambassadors, Luman Community Development Association, and Hinoki Village.After learning about the railway-themed curriculum integrated at Linsen and Yuanchong schools, the scholars gained a profound understanding of how local schools weave a century of railway history into place-based education, allowing students to appreciate their hometown heritage from an early age.Engaging with the “Alishan Youth Ambassadors,” Associate Professor Carolyn Holbrook noted with admiration: “What we have seen during our study tour is quite unique in an international context. The Alishan Forest Railway demonstrates a powerful ‘bottom-up’ energy, rooted deeply among youth and the wider community. Having local youth uncover and promote their own hometown stories, which in turn influences their families and local communities, represents an incredibly moving form of cultural transmission.”Furthermore, Professor Holbrook expressed immense appreciation for the original tracks played before trains enter the stations—composed by local musicians—as well as the station story broadcasts recorded by local school children. She praised how each piece of music blends seamlessly with the scenery outside the window, calling it an exemplary fusion of railway heritage and local artistic creation that offers travellers a wonderful, immersive experience of listening to local history.Community-Led Co-Management and Heritage Restoration: Transforming Stations into Vibrant Community SpacesIn terms of revitalizing railway assets, the two experts highly commended AFRCHO's initiative to lease the historic Lumanchan Station space to the local community association. They emphasized that this community-led co-management model not only successfully reactivates railway heritage but also creates tangible local employment opportunities.At Hinoki Village, guided by the English commentary of railway volunteers, the scholars explored the restoration journey of the Forestry Club and the T09 Official Residence. Heritage specialist Sophie Butler remarked: “AFRCHO has been very fortunate to have strong state support at a time when cultural heritage preservation concepts have fully matured, allowing these precious historical assets to receive the most appropriate restoration and adaptive reuse.”Deepening Transnational Collaboration to Bring Alishan onto the Global StageBefore concluding their journey, the two scholars shared that while the Alishan Forest Railway possesses the rich history, breathtaking natural landscapes, and railway charm typical of world-class heritage lines, what made their visit truly unforgettable was the vibrant community residents and the warm, hospitable railway staff along the route. They eagerly look forward to future in-depth exchanges regarding further research insights and working together to showcase the outcomes of this transnational study to the world.Mr. Jau-Pao Wang, Director of AFRCHO, expressed that he felt deeply honoured that the Alishan Forest Railway was being featured as a key case study in this international research. This recognition underscores that Alishan's rich cultural substance and dynamic conservation achievements are highly valued by international heritage scholars.Director Wang emphasized that AFRCHO will continue to deepen its partnerships with communities along the line through diverse approaches. This ensures that domestic and international travellers can not only appreciate the magnificent dynamic heritage and natural scenery but also profoundly experience the warmth, hospitality, and everyday cultural depth interwoven along the railway.Concurrently, Director Wang reiterated that AFRCHO will continuously strengthen its collaboration with Australia's Puffing Billy Railway. The office hopes to foster more substantial dialogues and transnational cooperation opportunities between these two world-renowned heritage railways on the shared foundation of tourism development and heritage preservation, shining brightly together on the international stage.
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