Taiwan Sugar Corporation (TSC) held the "TSC 80th Anniversary Taiwan-UK Resonance Exchange Celebration" at the Suantou Sugar Factory Cultural Park at 10:00 AM on March 7. The ceremony was presided over by TSC Chairman Wu Ming-chang. Distinguished guests, including Ms. Anne Wright, Chairman of the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway (W&LLR) from the UK, were invited to join the festivities. Together, they witnessed the launch of the "Taiwan-UK Friendship Train," marking a new chapter in the cultural exchange of sugar railways between the two nations. Through this event, TSC aims to deepen international railway cooperation and showcase Taiwan's profound sugar industry history and cultural heritage to the world.
In his opening remarks, TSC Chairman Wu Ming-chang noted that the friendship between TSC and W&LLR has spanned over two decades, characterized by ongoing collaboration in railway preservation, cultural exhibitions, and tourism promotion. Their partnership began in 2005 when W&LLR acquired the TSC No. 175 locomotive for dynamic preservation in the UK. In 2018, the British steam locomotive "Dougal" was invited to Taiwan for exhibition, leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that established a sister railway relationship. Today, as both parties celebrate TSC's 80th anniversary, this transnational cooperation has yielded fruitful results. It has successfully transformed sugar railways from mere transportation tools into a vital link connecting sugar industry history, culture, and international friendship.
TSC noted that one of the two major highlights of the event was the "Unveiling and Launch Ceremony of the Taiwan-UK Friendship Train." The ceremony commenced with TSC Chairman Wu and W&LLR Chairman Anne Wright jointly unveiling the plaque. Following the unveiling, the No. 252 inspection railcar, which was meticulously restored by TSC's team of technicians, slowly made its entrance. Accompanied by a Diema locomotive, the two trains sounded their whistles in unison and glided along the Suantou Sugar Factory tracks. The spectacle drew eager crowds to capture the moment, marking the peak of the day's festivities. This ceremony not only symbolizes the revival of sugar railway history and cultural heritage but also demonstrates TSC's outstanding achievements in the restoration, technical preservation, and revitalization of sugar railway cultural assets.
Another highlight of the event was the "Blue Vintage Dining Car Special Exhibition." The interior of the carriage was curated around the history of the Taiwan-UK sister railway exchange, featuring a photography exhibition and distinctive railway-themed decorations from both nations. A special Taiwan-UK themed afternoon tea was also arranged, allowing guests to experience the cultural charm of both regions through both sight and taste, while promoting tourism for the TSC Sugar Railway Parks. Following the ceremony, the guests toured the park to admire its historic sugar industry buildings, the extensive narrow-gauge railway system, and various unique locomotive models, bringing this successful railway exchange to a perfect conclusion.
TSC added that this event not only deepened the sister railway bond between TSC and the UK's W&LLR but also strengthened the exchange of expertise and experience in railway cultural preservation. Looking ahead, TSC will continue to integrate its historical assets with tourism experiences and international cooperation. The goal is to promote sugar railway culture on the global stage while driving the growth of park tourism and regional development.
