The Taiwan Sugar Railways is a industrial railway operated by the Taiwan Sugar Corporation. The railway was primarily used in the production of sugar by transporting sugarcane to mills, but 41 lines also provided passenger service.

After the Second World War, the network reached its peak length of , of which were for passengers.

From 1950 approximately were added: "The North-South Parallel Preparatory Line". This connected all sugar factories.

However, this was quickly shortened after a natural disaster, and increasingly after each disaster. The last part closed in 1998. The only line still used to carry sugarcane today is the Magongcuo Line in Huwei, Yunlin, though five other lines are partly preserved as heritage railways.

History

thumb|left|Exhibition of retired sugar-carrying trains at the [[Hualien County|Hualien plant]]

The Sugar Railways were initially constructed by Meiji Sugar Co., Ltd. during Japanese rule in the early 20th century and continued to operate well into the 1990s under the management of the Taiwan Sugar Corporation. During its peak, the Sugar Railways included over 3000 km of track, though by 2003 only 240 km remained. Regular passenger service was discontinued in 1982 Locomotives were initially steam powered, but by the late 1970s the railway had converted to small diesel locomotives.

See also

  • Rail transport in Taiwan
  • Transportation in Taiwan

References

  • Taiwan Sugar Corporation (English)(dead link)
  • Sugar railways in Taiwan(dead link)