Western Line

: "For the Western Line in Australia see" Western railway line, Sydney: "For the Western Line in New Zealand see" Western Line, Auckland

The Western Line (西部幹線) is a railway line of the Taiwan Railway Administration running along Taiwan's densely populated western corridor. As a result of this, it remains the busiest rail line in Taiwan. The concept "Western Line" is actually a combination of 3 different line sections. They are north section of Western Mainline Line (縱貫線), Taichung Line (台中線), and south section of Western Mainline Line. Part of the Western Mainline north section is parallel to Taichung Line. Due to its closeness to the sea coast, sometimes it's also referred as "Coastal Line" (海岸線) for easy distinguish. The total length of the combined line is 408.5 km, of which 361.6 km is double track. [ [http://www.railway.gov.tw/en/yearbook/yearbook-4.aspx Taiwan Railways Administration] ]

History

The original railroad between Keelung and Dadaocheng was completed in 1891. The section between Dadaocheng and Hsinchu was finished in 1893. However, these sections were all rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century. The Western Line was completed in 1908. The Coastal Line, which was finished in 1922, was used to relieve congestion near Taichung.

tations

Parenthetical words are alternative spelling found on some maps.

* Keelung
* Sankeng
* Badu: Connecting to the Yilan Line
* Cidu
* Baifu
* Wudu
* Sijhih
* "Sikeyuancyu: (under construction)"
* Nangang: Transfer to Taipei Rapid Transit System and "Taiwan High Speed Rail (future)"
* Songshan
* Taipei: Transfer to Taipei Rapid Transit System and Taiwan High Speed Rail
* Wanhua: Moved to underground in 1999
* Banciao: Moved to underground in 1999. Transfer to Taipei Rapid Transit System and Taiwan High Speed Rail
* Shulin
* Sanjia
* Yingge
* Taoyuan: Connecting to the Linkou Line (limited passenger service)
* Neili
* Jhongli
* Pusin
* Yangmei
* Fugang
* Hukou
* Sinfong
* Jhubei
* Hsinchu: "Connecting to the Neiwan Line (under reconstruction)"
* Siangshan
* Ciding
* Jhunan: Connecting to the Taichung Line
**"Note:" There are two routes between Jhunan and Changhua (Changhwa). They are typically referred as the coastal line and the hill line. The coastal line is designated as the main line while the hill line is officially called Taichung Line. Nonetheless, the traffic in the hill line is much heavier than that in the coastal line. The stations in the Taichung Line are not listed below.
* Tanwun
* Dashan
* Houlong (Houlung)
* Longgang
* Baishatun
* Sinpu
* Tongsiao (Tonghsiao)
* Yuanli
* Rihnan
* Dajia
* Taichung Harbor
* Cingshuei
* Shalu
* Longjing
* Dadu
* Jhueifen: Connecting to the Chengjhuei Line
* Changhua (Changhwa): Connecting to the Taichung Line
* Huatan
* Dacun
* Yuanlin
* Yongjing
* Shetou
* Tianjhong
* Ershuei: Connecting to the Jiji Line
* Linnei
* Shihliou
* Douliou
* Dounan
* Shihguei
* Dalin
* Minsyong
* Jiabei
* Chiayi: Transfer to the Alishan Forest Railway
* Shueishang
* Nanjing
* Houbi
* Sinying
* Liouying
* Linfongying
* Longtian
* Balin
* Shanhua
* Sinshih
* Yongkang
* Daciao
* Tainan
* Bao-an
* Jhongjhou: "Connecting to the Shalun Line (future)"
* Dahu
* Lujhu
* Gangshan
* Ciaotou
* Nanzih
* New Zuoying: Transfer to the Taiwan High Speed Rail
* Zuoying
* Kaohsiung: Connecting to the Pingtung Line

References