Located on the north side of Changhua Railway Station, the "Changhua Roundhouse" is not only the sole surviving roundhouse in Taiwan but also a rare "living monument" in the world that is still in actual operation today. It has witnessed over a century of prosperity and evolution of Taiwan's railways and is affectionately called the "Locomotive Hotel" by railway fans.
Fan-Shaped Parking Garage
The Changhua Roundhouse was built in 1922 (during the Japanese Colonial Period). At that time, due to the completion of the Taiwan Railways "Coast Line," Changhua Station officially became the most crucial transport hub where the Mountain and Coast lines intersected. To provide a place for long-journey locomotives to rest, replenish water and coal, and undergo repairs, this roundhouse—featuring 12 tracks centered around a 360-degree turntable—was born.
Locomotive
In the era before railway electrification, steam locomotives ruled the tracks. To exhaust the heavy smoke generated during the maintenance of steam engines, the roof of the roundhouse was specially designed with 12 small chimneys. When a locomotive pulled into the roundhouse, it was like a traveler checking into a hotel, which is why this place earned the nickname "Locomotive Hotel."
Steering wheel
With the progress of the times and the electrification of the railways, the other five roundhouses in Taiwan (located in Taipei, Hsinchu, Chiayi, Kaohsiung, and Kaohsiung Port) were successively demolished. In 1994, the Taiwan Railways Administration originally planned to tear down the Changhua Roundhouse to build an electric train maintenance base. Fortunately, thanks to the active campaigning and petitions by local cultural workers, railway fans, and the general public, this precious roundhouse escaped the wrecking ball and was successfully preserved.
Taking a photo with the fan-shaped garage
Having survived the demolition crisis, the Changhua Roundhouse not only continues its mission of repairing trains but is also open to the public, serving as the best classroom for promoting railway culture. In 2022, marking its 100th anniversary, it was officially upgraded to a "National Monument" by the Ministry of Culture, solidifying its irreplaceable, esteemed status in Taiwanese history.
The locomotive garage
Fan-Shaped Parking Garage
The Changhua Roundhouse was built in 1922 (during the Japanese Colonial Period). At that time, due to the completion of the Taiwan Railways "Coast Line," Changhua Station officially became the most crucial transport hub where the Mountain and Coast lines intersected. To provide a place for long-journey locomotives to rest, replenish water and coal, and undergo repairs, this roundhouse—featuring 12 tracks centered around a 360-degree turntable—was born.
Locomotive
In the era before railway electrification, steam locomotives ruled the tracks. To exhaust the heavy smoke generated during the maintenance of steam engines, the roof of the roundhouse was specially designed with 12 small chimneys. When a locomotive pulled into the roundhouse, it was like a traveler checking into a hotel, which is why this place earned the nickname "Locomotive Hotel."
Steering wheel
With the progress of the times and the electrification of the railways, the other five roundhouses in Taiwan (located in Taipei, Hsinchu, Chiayi, Kaohsiung, and Kaohsiung Port) were successively demolished. In 1994, the Taiwan Railways Administration originally planned to tear down the Changhua Roundhouse to build an electric train maintenance base. Fortunately, thanks to the active campaigning and petitions by local cultural workers, railway fans, and the general public, this precious roundhouse escaped the wrecking ball and was successfully preserved.
Taking a photo with the fan-shaped garage
Having survived the demolition crisis, the Changhua Roundhouse not only continues its mission of repairing trains but is also open to the public, serving as the best classroom for promoting railway culture. In 2022, marking its 100th anniversary, it was officially upgraded to a "National Monument" by the Ministry of Culture, solidifying its irreplaceable, esteemed status in Taiwanese history.
The locomotive garage
