Taiwan Railway Corp’s (TRC) “presidential train,” which includes carriages used by former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), is to open to the public for special trips in eastern Taiwan next month and in November, the state-owned company announced yesterday.
The “presidential train” would operate between Hualien City and Fuli Township (富里) next month and between Rueisuei Township (瑞穗) and Taitung City in November, the company said in a statement.
Limited tickets are to go on sale at 10am on Wednesday, it said.
Photo courtesy of the Taiwan Railway Corp
The “presidential saloon car,” SA32820, is Taiwan’s most valuable piece of railway heritage and has never been seen by the public, the TRC said.
The car was built in 1967, but did not complete its first trip until 1991 after the South Link Line was finished, it said.
In a landmark trip that year, the train carried Lee as he inspected the country’s railway system, it said.
The South Link Line was the last railway segment needed to encircle Taiwan proper.
The “presidential train” features two carriages Lee used — the “presidential saloon car” and the living room car. The saloon car has a conference room, reception room, two bedrooms and a bathroom.
Passengers can also ride in three Chu-Kuang Express carriages and visit the cars Lee once used, it said.
The program would include several two-day tour packages, including a standard package and an upgraded version. Travelers choosing the latter would get to sample local delicacies and stay in the presidential suite of a six-star hotel.
The two-day, one-night trips would be priced from NT$3,990 per person, it said.
For detailed itineraries and the cost of the trips, people are advised to visit the ezTravel Web site at www.eztravel.com.tw, it added.
The packages include special tour leaders, historical and cultural commentary, business card-style train tickets and vintage railway box meals, the TRC said.
The company also collaborated with the Tourism Administration to arrange local agricultural events, music performances and indigenous dance performances at train stations, it said.
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