Taroko Express
The Taroko Express (Chinese: 太魯閣號; pinyin: Tàilǔgé Hào) is an express train service of the Taiwan Railway Administration. The name of the service comes from the 19 kilometer long Taroko Gorge, one of Taiwan's most popular tourist spots and Truku people. It began commercial operations on 16 February 2007.
The Taroko Express uses the tilting electrical multiple unit series called TEMU1000 based on the JR Kyūshū 885 series. They were imported to Taiwan in 2006; since 2007, they have been running between Hualien and Taipei City, on the curvy Yilan Line at the existing narrow gauge tracks, where they reduced traveling time between the two places from previously 3 hours down to about 2 hours.[1] Some trains also continue from Taipei to Tianzhong Station. Its maximum operational speed is 130 kilometers per hour, or approximately 81 miles per hour.[2]
The Taroko Express is marketed as Tzu-Chiang Limited Express, and the tickets are sold at the same price; however, the Taroko does not sell standing/non-reserved tickets, and all seats are reserved.[3] Nevertheless, in reality many passengers have been reported to breach the rule, riding without reserved seats and standing on the aisle. Report of Apple Daily Youtube Video
References
- ↑ Huang, Annie (2007-05-11). "Tilting trains ease east line travel woes". Taiwan Today. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ↑ Shan, Shelley (2007-01-01). "TRA to compete by offering new trains - Taipei Times". The Taipei Times. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
- ↑ Shan, Shelley (2007-03-12). "TRA conducts test ride of tilting trains - Taipei Times". The Taipei Times. Retrieved 2013-11-17.
External links
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