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
Stations32
Service
TypeConventional railway
Operator(s)Taiwan Railway Corporation
History
Opened16 December 1991
Technical
Line length138.5 km (86.1 mi)
Number of tracks1 (predominantly)
Track gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Operating speed150 km/h (93 mph)
Route map

km
Station
(Up arrow 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
(Down arrow Eastern Trunk line)

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

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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

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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

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References

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  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. ^ a b c 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.