Taiwan Railway Museum | Railway Cultural Heritage Exhibition Area – From Decayed Sleepers to Cultural Assets

A Track, A Journey, Memories Stretching Through Time

Stepping into the exhibition hall of the Taiwan Railway Museum, visitors are greeted by a striking orange display board titled "Cultural Heritage Grade Restoration Standards." Unlike the grandeur of train carriages and locomotives, the focus here is on old, weathered railway tracks.

The tracks in the railway workshop bear witness to the trains that once raced along them, driving the flow of eras. As time passes, sleepers decay and rails wear down. To preserve them, it’s not just about restoring safety standards but also about respecting the construction techniques of different periods. The display board clearly states: this is not merely maintenance; it’s a "cultural heritage" restoration.

Here, railway tracks are no longer just the foundation of transportation; they have become historical witnesses. From surveying and testing to selecting suitable materials and preserving their original appearance, the process resembles "artifact healing" for the tracks. Each sleeper and rail segment is like a diary page, recording the weight of the times.

Post by 諸文武 | Sep 2, 2025