2026/03/10
A new milestone has been reached in the international partnership between the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office (AFRCHO) and the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway (W&LLR) in the United Kingdom. From 8 to 10 March 2026, Anne-Marie Wright, Chairman of the W&LLR, led an official delegation to Taiwan. This visit not only celebrated the deep-seated friendship between the two railways but also saw the formal signing of an extension to the loan agreement for the DL-34 diesel locomotive. This "Red Ambassador" will continue its service on the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway until 2030, furthering this inspiring chapter of Anglo-Taiwanese railway cooperation.
Chairperson Leads Delegation to Witness the Heritage of the Fully Reopened Line
The bond between the Alishan Forest Railway (AFR) and the W&LLR began with the signing of a sister railway agreement in 2017. This was followed by the landmark loan agreement for DL-34 in November 2022. In May 2024, DL-34 made its inaugural run in the Welsh Highlands, garnering significant attention from the international railway heritage community. This current exchange marks the first visit by Anne-Marie Wright since she assumed the Chairmanship in 2025. She was accompanied by Vice-President Tony Thorndike, Company Secretary Michael Reilly, and a delegation of eighteen members and heritage railway enthusiasts. The group was personally received by the Director of AFRCHO, Wang, Jau-Pao, for a comprehensive three-day exchange.
The delegation travelled on the main line from Chiayi station to experience the management and operational status of the railway following its full reopening. At Fenchihu Station, the visitors toured the special exhibition 'Memory of Mountain Travel: Fenchihu', gaining insights into the craftsmanship involved in restoring wooden locomotive sheds and the history of the mountain town. The group also travelled on a special cypress carriage train hauled by the Shay 31 steam locomotive, visiting stations including Duigaoyue, Zhushan, and Erwanping. Under the guidance and technical briefing provided by Director Wang, the delegates learned how the AFRCHO has meticulously integrated ecological conservation, cultural heritage preservation, and landscape harmony into the challenging engineering of tunnels and track maintenance. The UK delegation expressed high regard for the professional resilience and environment-friendly decision-making demonstrated by the Alishan Forest Railway.
From Cultural Exchange to Technical Synergy: A Continuous International Dialogue
Beyond the celebration of friendship, the partnership has evolved into increasingly sophisticated technical cooperation. In January 2026, W&LLR General Manager James Brett and Workshop Manager Joe Gunby visited Taiwan for a five-day technical exchange with AFRCHO workshop technicians, focusing specifically on the torque converter of the DL-34. This professional dialogue, rooted in frontline maintenance expertise, demonstrates that the relationship has transitioned from initial cultural promotion to a robust partnership in mechanical engineering and technical cooperation.
A Shared Responsibility Linked by 762mm Gauge
Building upon this foundation of mutual trust, Director Wang, Jau-Pao and Chairman Anne-Marie Wright formally signed the extension of the DL-34 locomotive loan agreement on 10 March. The continued mission of DL-34 as an international ambassador until 2030 symbolises the high level of consensus between the two railways regarding technical standards and cultural governance.
Director Wang, Jau-Pao stated: "From the technical exchanges at the beginning of the year to today's signing, it is evident that the cooperation between the Alishan Forest Railway and the W&LLR has advanced from 'mutual recognition' to a profound stage of 'technical synergy'. The continuation of DL-34's mission in the UK is not merely an extension of our friendship, but a shared commitment to our cultural responsibilities toward heritage railways." AFRCHO emphasised that as the 10th anniversary of the sister railway agreement approaches in 2027, they will continue to enhance Taiwan's influence in the global heritage railway sector through international technical cooperation, ensuring the Alishan Forest Railway remains a premier cultural ambassador for Taiwan on the world stage.