1912 Loco Shed (Aka Fenqihu Garage) 奮起湖車庫 @ Fenqihu Railway Town in Taiwan

Situated a stone's throw away, and right by the railway tracks of the historic railway town of fenqihu, was a building, made from cypress wood, that was closed for renovation when I first visited at the end of 2023. 

It had since reopened for "business" as the 1912 Loco Shed (Aka 奮起湖車庫 / Fenqihu Garage) and appeared to be like a large warehouse converted into an exhibition space from the outside! 

Closed in 1985, the loco shed was originally an "important hub for train changes, railroad repairs, and carriage maintenance and replenishment"although this original function might return given the increase in train frequencies along the Alishan Forest Railway. 

For now though, it housed a permanent exhibition showcasing the origins of Alishan Forest Railway, the landscape over the years, train components of the trains used, and even displays of real trains for the train afficiados! 

History buffs can consider scanning the QR code for the audio guide that came in Mandarin, English and Japanese. I am an impatient person and prefer reading, if required. 

Starting with the journey through forest memories, where you can see the original train route (in 1931) from Chiayi all the way up to the mountains. While the entrance for this loco shed appeared to be the one nearing the railway station, the recommended route was from the seemingly "back" of the building. 

Hand drawn map of Fenqihu Railway Town in 2024; according to the information, the original settlement was at Old Old Street, and it was the completion of the Alishan Forest Railway in the early 1900s that resulted in the shifting of commercial activities to the surroundings of the railway station.

Aside from old photographs, there were also rooms sharing the life of railway workers, the parts of a locomotives, the tools used, including the tags placed on the parked trains to remind maintenance staff of the train's current status; be it undergoing repair, unable to start etc.

Trains used throughout the years; from steam to diesel locomotives, with the latter having gone through seven generations from 1953 until now. Not that it matters much to me, as I see transportation as transportation. A porsche doesn't differ from proton since both serve as a mode of convenience for me. 

Main hall which still continues to have real, working railway tracks! While the loco shed was in existence since 1912, it wasn't at this same location. The original one was south of the railway station whereas this was north of the station, and relocated after a landslide in 1931. 

Real trains that attracted the most attention from visitors. I would say 70% of the visitors would crowd around the trains and quickly glance through / ignore all the other written information!

What's this about? Known as the water crane, it's a necessary facility for steam locomotives which requires water to operate! Fun fact, the water has to be clean, mountain spring water which was said to be less "hard". 

Light show in the shed! 

There's also a cafe within the 1912 Loco Shed, which also had a section on memorabilia / souvenirs that you can purchase for family and friends back home. I didn't try the coffee / food but there's something I will strongly recommend.

The soft serve ice cream! Above was sakura.

Personally, I prefer the wasabi one! 

=====

Address

75 Zhuqi Township, 

Chiayi County, Taiwan

Map

As above.

Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)