Following a restoration project lasting more than one year, on Thursday last week the scaffolding finally came down on the nearly 100-year-old Sanjia train station, revealing its new look to visitors. Washed granolithic finish columns and wooden eaves showcase the fusion of Western and Japanese architecture that forms the building’s style. Sanjia station, which is full of the quirks and details of a small railway station, is expected to become a popular new tourist destination in New Taipei City’s Shulin District.
The station, now a New Taipei City-designated historic site, was originally constructed in 1903. Its primary function was for the transport of coal from the Sanjia mountain area. Starting in 1928, the line was used to transport ferroconcrete and wood for use in the construction of buildings. Over the years, the station’s superstructure gradually fell into disrepair and became riddled with termites. After a new station building was opened in 2011, the old building was boarded up and shrouded in tarpaulin.
In 2015, the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) set aside NT$21 million to carry out a restoration of the old station. Sanjia is now the only surviving Japanese colonial-era train station, preserved in its original form, on Taiwan’s west coast mainline between Cidu station in the south and Taoyuan in the north. As such, Sanjia holds a special place in the history of Taiwan’s railways.
Photo: Chang An-chiao, Liberty Times
照片：自由時報記者張安蕎
The TRA says the station’s roof was reconstructed using Chinese cedar, and windows and doors were matched to the originals by using Taiwanese cedar. After replastering the walls, straw was rubbed onto the outer surface to produce a special textured effect, restoring the building to its original form, just as it was when it was first built in 1928.(LIiberty Times, translated By Edward Jones)
近百年歷史的山佳火車站歷時一年多的修復工程，上週四終於拆除圍籬，以嶄新的姿態呈現在旅客面前，洗石子廊柱與木造屋簷，呈現日式與西洋混和的建築風格，極富小站風情，預料將成為樹林觀光新亮點。
現為新北市市定古蹟的山佳火車站，原興建於一九０三年，主要功能是運輸山佳地區的煤礦。一九二八年以鋼筋混凝土與木構造重建，歷經歲月的洗禮，站體逐漸變得殘破失修、長滿白蟻，二０一一年新站房啟用後，舊站便以帆布、圍籬封存。
Photo: Chang An-chiao, Liberty Times
照片：自由時報記者張安蕎
二０一五年底，台鐵局斥資兩千一百萬元展開修復工程，成為西部幹線七堵以南、桃園以北之間唯一保存日治時期原貌的的車站，在台灣鐵路建築史中具有特殊意義。
台鐵指出，車站屋頂以杉木重建，門窗以台灣檜木仿舊，牆面重新粉刷後，以稻稈拓模，製造具粗粒感的特色外壁，致力恢復其一九二八年的日治原貌。(自由時報記者張安蕎)
A: Hard rock band Guns N’ Roses is touring Taiwan tomorrow. What about pop diva Lady Gaga? B: Unfortunately, Singapore has once again exclusively secured Gaga’s concerts in Asia, just like Taylor Swift’s exclusive Asian shows last year. A: The Singaporean government reportedly paid up to US$2.2 million to secure Swift’s shows. B: And the shows did boost its economy and tourism. A: But I’m angry about this approach, so I’m not going to Gaga’s shows this time. A: 硬式搖滾天團槍與玫瑰明天即將來台，流行天后女神卡卡呢？ B: 真可惜，新加坡再度取得卡卡亞洲巡演的獨家主辦權，就像去年泰勒絲的亞洲獨家演出一樣。 A: 據報導新加坡政府付出高達220萬美元，取得泰勒絲的亞洲獨家主辦權。 B: 而她的秀也的確提振了該國的經濟和旅遊業。 A: 但我對此還是很不爽，所以不去新加坡看卡卡了！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）
If you could nominate any toys for the Toy Hall of Fame, what would they be? Iconic playthings like yo-yos, toy cars, or video games seem like obvious __1__. Classic toys such as jacks, playing cards, and board games like Chess, Monopoly, and Uno have brought endless joy to generations. Overall, there are countless toys that __2__ in the Toy Hall of Fame. The National Toy Hall of Fame was __3__ in 1998 at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. The Toy Hall of Fame aims to __4__ items that have been cherished for generations, and several
After the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the Vatican’s papal conclave on May 8 elected a new leader for the Catholic Church. Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost, who chose to be called Leo XIV, became the 267th pope, spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. But what exactly does a pope do? Here is a rundown of his main responsibilities. CATHOLIC LEADER The word pope comes from the Greek “pappas,” meaning “father, patriarch,” which is why believers call him the Holy Father. He is considered the successor of St Peter, to whom Jesus Christ is said to have entrusted
Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日） https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang However, not every toy has its moment. Some fans were __8__ that simple classics like balloons—a universal symbol of celebrations—haven’t made the cut yet. With their lightweight charms and transformative puffs of air, balloons have __9__ millions for decades and will have to wait at least another year for a chance to be inducted. As the Toy Hall of Fame continues to celebrate toys that __10__ creativity and joy, we can only wonder which treasures will earn a spot next. Will the widely adored balloon finally take its place in 2025? Only time will tell, but one thing is
RSS