I was enjoying my first jog at Taichung City when I chanced upon the above; piles of caged up pebbles with the words "Taiwan Connection 1908".
Honestly, I am no stranger to this passage as I had taken a train that chugged along it back in 2014, on my first trip to Taiwan, and I recalled it was a ride from Taichung Railway Station to Xinwuri Station, where we then took the high speed rail back to Taipei.
Back then, the overhead railway tracks were still undergoing construction, and I thought it was real nice of the government to keep a section of the old tracks for remembrance; similar to what we were doing in Singapore for the Rail Corridor!
While Singapore's version is longer and concentrates on more a nature walk, this Taichung's rendition veers into the urban landscape, with views of decade-old buildings that follows the development of Taiwan's second largest city.
Jogging wise, quite comfortable in the cool January weather even though I think I would for an evening jog should it be summer! The trees along the path had yet to reach towering maturity, and hardly provided any shade.
Running towards the two useless "huts" that seemed more aesthetic than practical, until I got nearer and saw the rows of ancient wooden train sleepers right underneath.
One thing I really like about Taiwan is their high level of creativity! While the tracks remained intact (p.s. didn't realize it was quite a narrow width between tracks), the sleepers were removed and replaced with tiles that looked like multiple trains parked in a train depot!
Supposed to stretch a mere 1.6 kilometers with Taichung Railway Station somewhat in the middle, the passage I took for Taiwan Connection 1908 was only for the southern part.
Area is opened 24 hours, and you might want to keep in mind the rules as above.
Quite surprised to see that bicycles were not allowed!
More photographs for your viewing pleasure.
Just wondering if it would be nicer or scarier at night.
Safety cover that had weathered through many years.
And yes, vehicles still go past underneath!
I am confused; the width of the tracks didn't seem like it's suitable for a normal train!
This honestly looked like the toilets from a long time ago. I can confidently say that back in the 80s, toilets in such nondescript buildings were common in Singapore!
Stone bench with pebbles underneath. Do you know where there are pebbles in between the tracks? "Known as track ballast, are crucial for railway stability. They support the heavy weight of trains, facilitate water drainage to prevent flooding, prevent vegetation growth, and lock the ties and rails in place to stop them from shifting."
Main reason why I mentioned earlier that I only checked out the southern part of Taiwan Connection 1908 was due to the above; the connection wasn't completed yet as of January 2025. Maybe it's fully connected now.
However, the noise from the trains came from further above.
Tunnel with some information of Taiwan Connection 1908. Unfortunately, the words were in Chinese. And not simplified Chinese; the words were in traditional Chinese which I can read, although they strained my brain!
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Address
Along Jianguo North Road,
Between Guoguang Road and Minquan Road,
Central Dist., Taichung City Taiwán
Map
As above.
Floor Plan
As above.
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