2025/08/29
To enhance the passenger experience and operational capacity of the Alishan Forest Railway, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) will soon launch a new premium train model named “EVI” with the support of the Executive Yuan’s foresight program. The inaugural “EVI,” consisting of one locomotive and five carriages, arrived at the Chiayi loco shed of the Alishan Forest Railway today (08/29). Its exterior design retains the legacy color scheme of the black steam locomotive and the red diesel locomotive, and incorporates sunrise motifs. It is adorned in “Alishan Forest Railway Black, Alishan Red, and Sacred Light Gold.” The Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office under the FANCA stated that after completing test runs and operational trials, the “EVI” will commence service on the main line between Chiayi and Alishan in 2026. It will be serving passengers alongside the existing “Alishan Express,” offering passengers diverse travel options.
Paying Tribute to Nature and Culture through the Name of “EVI”
The “EVI” was designed by a team consisting of the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office in collaboration with Taiwan Rolling Stock Co., Ltd., KAI Architects under Fang Chun-Kai Architecture Firm, Fuling Chang Illustrations, and Yen Partnership Architects. Drawing inspiration from the Alishan Forest Railway’s historical significance, key features, and functions, the design includes several concepts. For example, “climbing from Chiayi Station at an altitude of 30 meters to Zhushan Station at 2,451 meters,” “combining tradition and innovation, connecting the local area with the world,” and “traveling from the plains to the alpine forests.” The name of the train, “EVI” means “forest” in the Tsou language, embodying a tribute from the foothills to the summit of Alishan. The EVI symbolizes the journey of balancing forestry development with tourism transformation, representing the harmonious coexistence of man and nature.
Alishan Forest Railway’s EVI Elevates the Travel Experience of Passengers
Compared to the 108-seat Alishan Express, the EVI offers enhanced passenger space with 97 seats (including 2 wheelchair accessible seats). To navigate the winding mountainous terrain, the EVI features a new, more powerful engine that delivers stable performance whether it’s climbing twisting mountain roads or facing high altitude weather. The new bogie suspension system combines multiple sets of specialized shock absorbers to minimize shaking and improve travel comfort. The EVI’s driver control system can also support the coupling of two trains, effectively increasing transport capacity and enhancing train formation flexibility. In addition, the new engine complies with the environmental emission standards of Taiwan, Europe, and the U.S. (Stage 4 or higher), balancing performance with environmental sustainability.
The EVI is also the first train of the Alishan Forest Railway to be equipped with automatic doors and an automated passenger information display system. This reduces the risk of passengers accidentally opening doors and enhances the content and timeliness of onboard information. The carriage interior, restrooms, lighting, air conditioning, audio-visual announcements, information display, and monitoring systems have all been comprehensively optimized and upgraded. Third-party certification processes were integrated throughout the design, manufacturing, and testing phases of the EVI; in addition, third-party certification operations were integrated to ensure rigorous quality and safety controls at every level.
The Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office stated that a total of five locomotives and 26 carriages were purchased for the EVI. As a premium train for the main Alishan Forest Railway line in the future, its significantly higher cost will differentiate its positioning and ticket pricing from the existing Alishan Express. This aims to cater to diverse passenger segments, offering domestic and international travelers varied rail options while enhancing transportation capacity. Official fares will be implemented after approval by the Ministry of Transportation.
In the future, as new trains are gradually introduced, in addition to the long-distance route from Chiayi to Alishan, the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office will also plan local services and themed trains. This will enable passengers to explore the local environment, culture, and industry in different sections through the Alishan Forest Railway, boost tourism in mountain villages along the line, delivering a comprehensive new tourism experience. It will also usher in a new era for this century-old forest railway.