Kaohsiung's historic 'train hospital' reopens as family amusement park

The historic Kaohsiung Railway Workshop in Fengshan, once known as a "train hospital" for its extensive maintenance work, is undergoing a significant transformation. After half a century of servicing approximately 2,500 trains annually, the facility is set to reopen as the "Kaohsiung Family Amusement Park" on August 8, coinciding with Father's Day.

The workshop boasts a rich history, tracing its origins back to 1901 as the "Takao Branch Workshop." At its peak, it employed 850 staff and served as a crucial hub for the maintenance of unpowered railway carriages in Taiwan. With the advent of railway undergrounding projects and the relocation of operations to the Chaozhou base, the workshop completed its move in 2022.

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Kaohsiung Railway Workshop has witnessed the development of Kaohsiung as an industrial city and is an indispensable urban memory.

City officials, including Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai, emphasized the site's importance as a testament to Kaohsiung's industrial development and urban memory. The revitalized park aims to preserve the original industrial architectural style and railway facilities while creating a new family-friendly space. An exhibition, "Railway Workshop Exploration Exhibition," will recreate key historical areas like the freight car factory, passenger car factory, and transfer table.

To commemorate the opening and honor the site's legacy, retired railway workers will lead guided tours on opening day, sharing their experiences and insights into the daily operations of the workshop. Additionally, free guided tours of "secret spots" within the park are scheduled for every weekend from August 8 to August 30, offering the public a chance to delve deeper into the area's railway heritage.

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The freight car factory, passenger car factory, and transfer table are important historical areas.