The Changhua Roundhouse was built in 1922 during the Japanese colonial period. Its radial semicircular design has twelve stall tracks; the turntable is 21.5 meters in diameter. It is currently the only fan-shaped locomotive shed in Taiwan still in dynamic operational use and is listed as a National Historic Site of Changhua County. On weekends, steam locomotives occasionally perform shunting demonstrations. Together with the century-old depot building preserved on its original site, the roundhouse presents a living-fossil scene that is rare in Taiwan's railway history.
Highlights of Changhua Roundhouse
The design principle of a roundhouse is to use a turntable to rotate locomotives and redirect them into any of the radial stall tracks for parking and maintenance. The Changhua Locomotive Section is located at the division point between the northern and southern segments of the Western Main Line, and historically needed to turn locomotives around — making the roundhouse an indispensable facility. The building structure is brick with arched roof sections; the twelve tracks are covered beneath a semicircular roof that, when viewed from above, fans out like an open hand.
The park has a free exhibition space displaying the history of Taiwan's railway development, scale models of steam locomotive mechanisms, and historical photographs. On weekends, steam locomotive entry demonstrations are held on an irregular schedule; the sight of a locomotive slowly rolling onto the turntable and rotating into alignment is a prized photographic subject for rail enthusiasts. Before visiting, check announcements from Taiwan Railways or the Changhua Locomotive Section to confirm whether a demonstration is scheduled that day.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Visiting Hours
- About 10 minutes on foot from Changhua Train Station — head north along Changmei Road to reach the entrance to the Changhua Locomotive Section. Follow the on-site directional signs to the visitor area.
- The exhibition area is free to enter. The steam locomotive demonstration schedule is not fixed; check Taiwan Railways' Changhua Locomotive Section announcements before planning your visit.
Nearby Connections
- Changhua Confucius Temple and Baguashan Great Buddha Scenic Area are within walking distance. The three sites form the standard route for a Changhua City cultural half-day tour.
- Changhua Train Station itself is a Japanese colonial era building with a well-preserved exterior — worth a look at the station architecture while you are in the area.
Sources: Taiwan Railways Administration; Cultural Heritage Bureau, Ministry of Culture. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.