Preserved Steam Locomotives in Taiwan (TRA)
This page introduces steam locomotives formerly operated by the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA). These locomotives, mostly of Japanese origin, are now preserved and exhibited by various organizations at locations across Taiwan.
No.1 Locomotive “Tōun”
- Overview: Built in 1887 by Hohenzollern (Germany). Used for the opening of the railway between Keelung and Taipei during the Qing Dynasty. Designated as Taiwan's first locomotive.
- Location: 228 Peace Memorial Park, Taipei ▶ Google Map
- Access: 10-minute walk from Taipei Main Station; 5-minute walk from NTU Hospital Station on the Tamsui-Xinyi MRT line
- Note: Housed in a glass enclosure, which may cause reflections that hinder clear viewing
No.9 Locomotive
- Overview: Built in 1871 by Avonside (UK). Originally Japan's No.7 locomotive for the Shinbashi–Yokohama line; sent to Taiwan in 1901 and redesignated as No.9. The oldest preserved locomotive in Taiwan.
- Location: 228 Peace Memorial Park, Taipei ▶ Google Map
- Access: 10-minute walk from Taipei Main Station; 5-minute walk from NTU Hospital Station on the Tamsui-Xinyi MRT line
- Note: Like No.1, housed in a glass enclosure that may reflect light
BK10 Class No. BK24
- Overview: Built in 1905 by the Japan Locomotive Works. A type of which 29 were built between 1901 and 1908 by North British, Nasmyth Wilson, Robert Stephenson, and Japanese firms. Equivalent to Japan National Railways’ A8 series, 500, and 600 classes.
- Location: National Cheng Kung University campus, Tainan ▶ Google Map
- Access: 7-minute walk from Tainan Rear Station. Located behind Chung Cheng Hall near the main gate.
- Note: This is a cutaway exhibit, with the right side opened to show internal structures
CK50 Class No. CK58
- Overview: Built in 1912 by the Japan Locomotive Works. A total of 14 locomotives were manufactured between 1904 and 1912.
- Location: Hamasen Railway Cultural Park, Kaohsiung ▶ Google Map
- Access: Alight at Hamasen Station on the Kaohsiung MRT Orange Line or Circular Light Rail
- Note: Displayed on the wide sidings of the former Kaohsiung Port Station
CT150 Class No. CT152
- Overview: Built in 1919 by the Japan Locomotive Works. Same design as the Japanese Class 8620. A total of 43 units were built between 1919 and 1928 by Kisha Seizō, Kawasaki, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, and Nippon Sharyō.
- Location: Miaoli Railway Museum ▶ Google Map
- Admission: NT$100 (cash only); open daily 9:00–17:30 (check schedule during Lunar New Year or holidays)
- Access: Just outside the west exit of TRA Miaoli Station
- Note: Visitors receive a NT$50 coupon usable inside the museum
CT250 Class No. CT251
- Overview: Built in 1935 by Mitsubishi. Originally numbered C551 by the Taiwan Government Railways. Same design as Japan National Railways Class C55. Nine units were manufactured by Kawasaki and Mitsubishi between 1935 and 1938.
- Location: Tainan Municipal Gymnasium, 10 Tiyu Rd., South District, Tainan ▶ Google Map
- Access: Take a bus from Tainan Station and alight at “Tiyu Park (Tainan University)”, then walk about 10 minutes
- Note: While the walk is long, buses bound for Tiyu Park are frequent
CT250 Class No. CT259
- Overview: Built in 1938 by Mitsubishi. Originally numbered C559 by the Taiwan Government Railways. This is the last numbered C55-class locomotive in Taiwan.
- Location: Hamasen Railway Cultural Park, Kaohsiung ▶ Google Map
- Access: Alight at Hamasen Station on the MRT Orange Line or Light Rail
- Note: The adjacent “Dagou Station Story House” is also worth visiting
CT270 Class No. CT271
- Overview: Built in 1942 by Hitachi, this locomotive was designated C571 under the former Taiwan Governor-General Railway system. It shares the same design as Japan National Railways' Class C57. A total of 14 units were manufactured by Kawasaki and Hitachi between 1942 and 1953.
- Location: Lover’s Lake Park, Lane 208, Jijin 1st Road, Anle District, Keelung City ▶ Google Map
- Access: From the Keelung Transfer Station (in front of Keelung Station), take bus 509 and get off at “Lover’s Lake Stop” (情人湖站), then walk about 2 minutes. Note: Bus 509 operates only 7 times a day. Alternatively, take bus 505, 789, 790, or 862 to “Lover’s Lake Road Entrance” (情人湖路口), then walk uphill for about 35 minutes (2.4 km).
- Remarks: Wear appropriate clothing and shoes suitable for walking.
CT270 Class No. CT278
- Overview: Built in 1953 by Hitachi. Previously, six locomotives of the same type were manufactured during the wartime period (1942–1943) by Hitachi and Kawasaki. An additional eight units were produced by Hitachi in 1953 after the war.
- Location: Erbashui Park, Ershui Township, Changhua County ▶ Google Map
- Access: About a 5-minute walk from Ershui Station.
- Remarks: These locomotives were built after the war with the assistance of the United States, as an expansion of the C57 class originally introduced by the Taiwan Governor-General Railway before the war.
CT270 Class No. CT284
- Overview: Built in 1953 by Hitachi, this locomotive was the last steam engine manufactured to Japanese National Railways (JNR) specifications.
- Location: Chung Hsing Cultural and Creative Park, No. 6-8, Section 2, Zhongzheng Road, Wujie Township, Yilan County ▶ Google Map
- Access: Approximately 30 minutes on foot from Luodong Station.
- Remarks: Located at the far end of the Chung Hsing Cultural and Creative Park. From Zhongli (TRA Yilan Line) Station, it is about a 15-minute walk.
DT560 Class No. DT561
- Overview: Built in 1919 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO), this locomotive is a rare example of Japan’s Class 9600 being manufactured in the United States. A total of 14 units were produced.
- Location: Miaoli Railway Museum, No. 130, Yingcai Road, Miaoli City ▶ Google Map
- Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM; admission NT$100 (cash only). Hours may vary during the year-end and Lunar New Year holidays.
- Access: Immediately outside the west exit of Miaoli Station on the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) network.
- Remarks: This is the only surviving DT560-class locomotive.
DT580 Class No. DT609
- Overview: Built in 1929 by the Kisha Seizō Company, this locomotive shares the same design as Japan’s Class 9600. A total of 39 units were produced between 1923 and 1939 by Kawasaki, Kisha Seizō, Hitachi, Nippon Sharyō, and Mitsubishi.
- Location: Hamasen Railway Cultural Park, Kaohsiung City ▶ Google Map
- Access: Get off at Hamasen Station on the Kaohsiung MRT Orange Line or the Circular Light Rail Line.
- Remarks: This is the only preserved DT580-class locomotive. The nearby Takao Railway Museum is also worth a visit.
DT650 Class No. DT651(DT664)
- Overview: Although labeled as DT651, this locomotive is actually DT664, built in 1941 by Kawasaki. It was originally classified as D5114 under the Taiwan Governor-General Railway. Identical in design to Japan’s D51 class, a total of 32 units were built between 1939 and 1944 by Kawasaki, Kisha Seizo, and Hitachi before the war. After the war, five more units of the same type were manufactured in 1951 with U.S. aid by Kisha Seizo and Mitsubishi.
- Location: Gangkou Temple, Gangkou Village, Dongshi Township, Chiayi County ▶ Google Map
- Access: From Chiayi Station, take Bus 7205 to Puzi Transfer Station (about 1 hour), then transfer to Bus 7225 for 20 minutes. Get off at Gangkou and walk about 8 minutes.
- Note: Bus services are very infrequent. Be sure to check the schedule in advance and plan accordingly.
DT650 Class No. DT652
- Overview: Built in 1940 by the Kisha Seizo Company. Originally classified as D512 under the Taiwan Governor-General Railway during the Japanese era.
- Location: Tainan Sports Center, No. 10 Tiyu Road, South District, Tainan City ▶ Google Map
- Access: Take a bus from Tainan Station and get off at "Tiyu Park (Tainan University)," then walk about 10 minutes
- Note: The walking distance is a bit long, but buses to “Tiyu Park (Tainan University)” are frequent and convenient.
DT650 Class No. DT675(DT670)
- Overview: Although marked as DT675, this locomotive is actually DT670, built in 1942 by the Kisha Seizo Company. It was originally classified as D5120 under the Taiwan Governor-General Railway during the Japanese era.
- Location: New Taipei City Arts Center, No. 62 Zhuangjing Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City ▶ Google Map
- Access: About a 10-minute walk from Xinpu Station on the Taipei Metro Bannan Line
- Note: The locomotive is located indoors, making photography somewhat difficult.
No.1 Locomotive “Tōun” (Replica)
- Overview: A scaled-down model of the "Tōun" locomotive is displayed at the Railway Tourism Elementary School, a visitor center providing tourist information about Checheng.
- Location: In front of Checheng Station, Shuili Township, Nantou County ▶ Google Map
- Access: Immediately outside Checheng Station on the Jiji Line
BK20 Class (Full-Scale Mock-Up)
- A full-scale model of a BK20 locomotive is displayed in a small park designed to recreate the former freight line from Tamsui Station. The original BK20 was built in 1902 by Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. in the United Kingdom.
- Location: In front of Tamsui Station, Tamsui District, New Taipei City ▶ Google Map
- Access: A 5-minute walk from Tamsui Station on the Taipei Metro Tamsui–Xinyi Line
- Note: From a distance, it could easily be mistaken for a real locomotive.
CK124 (Brick-Styled Display)
- Overview: A full-scale model of CK124 made of brick. The actual CK124 was built in 1936 by Nippon Sharyo (Japan).
- Location: West side of Changhua Station. Exit the ticket gate on the east side and cross the footbridge to the west. ▶ Google Map
- Access: About 5 minutes from TRA Changhua Station
- Note: The purpose and background of this installation are unknown.