On The Train

In the early days, Taiwan’s dense railroad system earned it the nickname “Railroad Kingdom”, with almost all villages forming alongside the railway. In this railroad system, the last line to be built was the South Link Line, as it was located at the southernmost tip and most remote part of the island. The South Link Line shuttles between high mountains and the spectacular Pacific Ocean. Due to its rugged topography and sparse population, this distinctive terrain created not only breathtaking scenery but also extremely difficult constructions, with 80% of the track in mountainous areas being tunnels and viaducts.

The crew spent five years making this documentary and exploring the stories of the engineers who built the South Link Line, including three generations of father-son engine drivers. Almost all of the old trains and platforms in the documentary no longer exist. The railroad’s classic features were fully recorded before its electrification. Before these old trains took their final journey, an influx of visitors came to wave goodbye, bringing with them their collective memories of the railroad.