To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Kaohsiung's city establishment, the Kaohsiung City Government has spent a year and mobilized over 2,000 people to create the "Coastal Line Tourist Train - Hama Star," which will officially depart on November 30. At the same time, the Hama Star Railway Park will be upgraded, allowing citizens and visitors to experience the glorious days of Taiwan's railway history.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai stated that this year marks the 100th anniversary of Kaohsiung's city establishment and the 124th anniversary of railway operation. The opening of the railway played a significant role in the prosperity of Kaohsiung Port, transforming this former fishing village into the largest city in southern Taiwan and an international harbor. The "Coastal Line Tourist Train" project began last year, with the city government spending a year renovating old railway tracks, designing and refurbishing the train, and inviting the public to experience Kaohsiung's history in a new way. The newly launched "Hama Star" tourist train will be based on the old freight railway of Kaohsiung Port and incorporate design elements such as "railroad ties" by local designer Gu Da-chi, offering a nostalgic yet innovative railway journey.
The "Coastal Scenic Train - Hama Star" utilizes the "railway ties" element in its design, creating a passenger-carrying sightseeing train! (Image/Source: "Centenary Good Market" official website)
Additionally, the refurbished Hama Star Railway Park will showcase over 30 historical representative trains of Taiwan’s railway, including passenger, freight, and various work trains, allowing the public to get closer to the historical value of the park. The park's scope extends from the Old Dagou Station, North Signal Tower, to the maintenance shed, creating a unique time-travel experience. Starting from November 30, visitors can enjoy the unique experience of riding the Coastal Line Tourist Train.
Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Wang Wen-cui pointed out that this project began in the fall of last year and included historical train research, old track renovation, and space reconstruction. The team traveled to Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, and other locations to collect trains that matched the characteristics of Kaohsiung. During the process, trains were moved in the middle of the night to avoid the light rail operating hours. Special thanks were given to experts such as Gu Ting-wei, the editor-in-chief of Railway Information, curator Wu Han-zhong, and units like the Taiwan Railways, Taiwan Sugar Corporation, and the National Railway Museum Preparatory Office for their assistance, enabling the successful completion of this large-scale railway restoration project.
"Coastal Line Departure: Hama Star Re-Departure" event spans three consecutive weeks across the entire Hama Star Railway Park! (Image/Source: "Centenary Good Market" official website)
From November 30 to December 15, the Hama Star Railway Park will host a three-week celebration event. The first week will invite many restaurants from across Taiwan to set up stalls for the first time and offer limited-edition train bento. The market will also feature local Kaohsiung brands, including food, toys, and handmade crafts. During the event, multiple bands and DJ performances will also be held, inviting the public to relive the historical nostalgia of Kaohsiung’s railway.
For more information on the events, tickets, and rides, the public can follow the official website of "100 Years of Good Market" and the "Cultural Kaohsiung - Kaohsiung City Government Cultural
