And There's More - It's Taipei Four

Church Link
(here) at approx 1015

LIVE on Sunday morning
thereafter "streamed"

sorry - posted the link a bit late

Red Line Restoration Revelation

Much of the Taipei's Metro line to Tamsui ...

... was built over the tracks of a conventional railway branch, built at ground level by the Japanese and latterly operated by conventional diesel units.

There was a short branch from the branch which linked Beitou (an older Taipei settlement) with Xinbeitou (New Beitou). This little stub line probably owes it construction and survival to the Beitou Hot Springs ...

... and other related tourist venues.

The diesel lines closed in 1988 for conversion to Metro which would run on elevated track. The branch to Xinbeitou became a shuttle to a splendid terminal station adorned with traditional oriental acoutrements.

The original 1916 station was saved, although somewhat upgraded from its primitive form at the opening of the State Railway branch.

In its slightly refettled 1937 form, it  was rebuilt and displayed eldewhere in a Heritage Patk.

Taipei, April 1 2018 : The main building of the old Xinbeitou train station was reopened near its original site in Taipei's Beitou District on Saturday, 26 years after it was dismantled and removed to Changhua County.

To celebrate the station's return, a parade, a four-day fair, a three-day music festival and other events will be held at Qixing Park, where the station building is now located, Taipei's Department of Cultural Affairs said.

Built in 1916, the train station building was dismantled in 1988 to make way for the Xinbeitou metro station.

The structure was later purchased by the operator of the Taiwan Folk Village in Changhua, after which it was reassembled and exhibited at the village.

In response to efforts by Beitou residents to recover the station, its owner agreed in 2013 to donate it to the Taipei City government.

The structure now seen at Qixing Park was reassembled for the second time with some 70 percent of old materials.

And it comes with one of the old diesel unit cars ...

... set out as an exhibition.

It also has a bit of platform canopy and a length of track.

In many ways, the modern Metro branch has not been a success.

The sharp curve caused plenty of flange squeal which disturbed the residents, many of whom lived cheek-by-jowl with the old diesel line. Money was spent on a bit of sound proofing.

Services were reduced in hours operated and a special three car train was created just for the shuttle. 

Talking Of Stations (1)
Taipei's Main station is grand and in the "oriental" style ...

... with a magnificent passenger concourse.

Once upon a time the station looked like this.

From the late 1980s all lines were moved (or built) underground where there are four levels.

1. circulation area

2. "main line" trains

3. metro

4. metro

Everything looks well signposted ...

... BUT ...

... (click on the graphic to enlarge) you would need a wealth of wits about you to find your way around as a newcomer. And the green Metro is off the map to the left!

Outside there is a long line of bus shelters ...

... and a layby of stands a little further away.

Talking Of Stations (2)
fbb cannot think why, but it is remotely possible that regular blog readers may remember that Peterville Working Mens Club and Institute ...

... was made out of bits of an old Hornby "clip together" station and signalbox.

What fbb did not realise is how many versions the company produced. His eyes were opened when reading a recent article in Railway Modeller. The owner of this layout had at least two ...

... one of which illustrated how out of scale the canopy height was.

Plenty of room for today's increased height clearance for 25kv overhead electrification - but not much good for keeping the rain out!

You could also have light cream "stone" ...

... as well as brick.

What is more amazing, considering the poor scale and shape of these models, is that you can still buy one, new, from Hattons ...

... for only (?) £24.50.

Early post-war Hornby Dublo were hugely better, if a little lurid in colour ...

... and almost indestructable in cast aluminium. Even very early Tri-ang plastic were surprisingly realistic for the mid 1950s.

If you are sacrilegious enough to go for a full repaint, such a building would stand up well against any modern resin edifice ...

... or even the Dapol (formerly Airfix) plastic kit.

More Un-lockdowning
Yesterday the whole range of New Forest open top bus tours started up.

Three routes are on offer as per the maps below ...

... with numerous pick-up points and connections with the railways.

Each route offers a round trip of about one hour and runs hourly.

It is impressive that Bluestar have gone in deep with the full service from day 1.

Tomorrow - That Taipei Network Map

 Taipei Five blog : Monday 20th July