South-link line

The South-link line (Chinese: 南迴線; pinyin: Nánhuí Xiàn) is a line of the Taiwan Railway running across the southern tip of the island of Taiwan, connecting the eastern and western coasts. It is 98.2 km long, of which 81.4 km is single-track.^[1]

South-link line
Overview
Native name	南迴線
Termini	Pingtung Taitung
Stations	32
Service
Type	Conventional railway
Operator(s)	Taiwan Railway Corporation
History
Opened	16 December 1991
Technical
Line length	138.5 km (86.1 mi)
Number of tracks	1 (predominantly)
Track gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Operating speed	150 km/h (93 mph)
Route map Legend km Station ( Western Trunk line) 0.0 Pingtung 2.6 Guilai 4.9 Linluo 7.3 Xishi 11.0 Zhutian 15.1 Chaozhou 19.9 Kanding 22.3 Nanzhou 25.9 Zhen'an 29.1 Linbian 33.1 Jiadong 36.2 Donghai 40.3 Fangliao 45.6 Jialu 49.0 Neishi 53.9 Fangshan 84.1 Dawu 95.8 Longxi 104.2 Jinlun 115.2 Taimali 126.9 Zhiben 133.9 Kangle 138.5 Taitung ( Eastern Trunk line) This diagram: view talk edit

The section between Nanzhou and Linbian railway stations was upgraded from a single-track railway to a dual-track railway while the other sections remains in single-track.^[2] In conjunction with electrification works on the line, train platforms are being lengthened and upgraded with better facilities.

History

South-link line

Japanese authorities had planned for a railway running between Pingtung and Taitung, but were unable to complete it before World War II ended. After the Kuomintang-led government took control, surveys were completed in 1947, 1958, 1963, 1968, and 1976, delineating ten possible routes for the South Link Line. Construction began in July 1980, and was completed in November 1991. Upon its inauguration on 16 December 1991, the South Link Line became the newest standard rail line operated by the TRA, and created an around-the-island railway network. The line began became accessible for public use in February 1992.^[3]

In August 2009, sections of the line were badly damaged by floods triggered by Typhoon Morakot.^[4] The line was reopened on December 30, 2009.

In September 2010, service was temporarily suspended due to Typhoon Fanapi.^[5] The Taimali River (Chinese: 太麻里溪) had risen substantially and washed away 100 m (330 ft) of railway embankment. The line was reopened on September 29, 2010.^[5] The Taiwan Railway Administration plans to spend an additional NT$240 million on a double-tracked, 520 m (1,710 ft) bridge over the Taimali River to avoid future problems with flooding.^[5]

Electrification works on the section from Fangliao Station to Zhiben Station was completed in December 2020 with the first passenger services operating on the 20th December 2020.^[6]

Stations

Name	Chinese	Taiwanese	Hakka	Transfers and Notes	Location
Fangliao	枋寮	Pang-liâu	Piông-liàu	→ Pingtung Line	Fangliao	Fangliao	Pingtung County
Jialu	加祿	Ka-lo̍k	Kâ-luk		Jialu	Fangshan
Neishi	內獅	Lāi-sai	Nui-sṳ̂	Least used station in Taiwan (2019)
Fangshan	枋山	Pang-soaⁿ	Piông-sân	Southernmost railway station in Taiwan	Neishi	Shizi
Fangye	枋野	Pang-iá	Piông-yâ
Central Signal	中央號誌	Tiong-iong Hō-chì	Tûng-ông Ho-chì
Guzhuang Signal	古莊號誌	Kó͘-chng Hō-chì	Kú-chông Hō-chì		Shangwu	Dawu	Taitung County
Dawu	大武	Tāi-bú	Thai-vú		Dawu
Longxi	瀧溪	Liông-khe	Lùng-hâi		Duoliang	Taimali
Jinlun	金崙	Kim-lun	Kîm-lûn		Jinlun
Taimali	太麻里	Thài-mâ-lí	Thai-mà-lî		Dawang
Zhiben	知本	Ti-pún	Tî-pún		Zhiben	Taitung
Kangle	康樂	Khong-lo̍k	Không-lo̍k		Kangle
Taitung	臺東	Tâi-tang	Thòi-tûng	→ Taitung Line	Yanwan

Note: Central Signal Station - Guzhuang Station passes through Daren of Taitung County, Original set Pu'an Signal Station, Now Stop working.

See also

• List of railway stations in Taiwan

References

1. "Route Kilometers". Taiwan Railways Administration. 2009-05-18. Archived from the original on 2010-05-02.
2. Shelley Shan (2019-10-29). "Railways to be fully electrified in 2020". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 2019-10-29. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
3. Han Cheung (12 December 2021). "Taiwan in Time: Last piece of the railway puzzle". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
4. Lu, Tyson; Hsu, Elizabeth (2009-12-29). "South Link train line to be reopened after typhoon repairs". The China Post. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
5. Shan, Shelley (2010-09-28). "TRA expected to reopen South Link Line tomorrow". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
6. "台湾南回铁路电气化最后一英里通车：实现铁路一日环岛愿景_屏东". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2020-12-21.