Taiwan Railway Corp’s (TRC) Jiji Line, a popular tourist railway, yesterday partially resumed services, with trains running again to Jiji (集集) Station in Nantou County after being suspended for more than four years due to damage from natural disasters.
The Jiji Line runs 29.7km from Ershui (二水) Station in Changhua County and crosses eastward into Nantou County, serving stops including Jhuoshuei (濁水), Jiji, Shuili (水里) and the terminal station, Checheng (車埕).
The first stage of service resumption covers the section from Ershuei Station to Jiji Station, TRC said.
Photo: Liu Pin-chuan, Taipei Times
Each day, 11 trains would run to Jiji Station, with 12 going in the opposite direction, supporting tourism and local commuting needs, TRC said.
Full services to Checheng Station, a popular tourism destination, are expected to resume around July after remaining work is completed, the company added.
In August 2021, the line was partially shut down after torrential rain and earthquakes triggered a major landslide along Provincial Highway No. 16. The collapse buried and damaged tunnels and tracks running parallel to the highway, forcing the suspension of rail services between Jiji and Checheng.
Several tunnels on the line, built more than 80 years ago, also had long-term issues such as water leakage, insufficient clearance and poor track alignment, prompting TRC to carry out a comprehensive safety overhaul.
Major repair and reinforcement work began in 2024 and was completed late last year, allowing the first-stage reopening ahead of the Lunar New Year next month.
To mark the resumption, TRC yesterday operated a special service to Jiji, drawing railway enthusiasts and visitors.
Once the remaining section reopens, the upgraded infrastructure would support safer operations and allow larger trains to run, helping revive tourism and bolster transportation links for communities along the line, TRC said.
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