Be Historical Landmark
Changhua Roundhouse(CRH) was the only one for hotel of locomotives in Southeast Asia. It is not only the national treasure but also the last in-serve roundhouse in Taiwan. Moreover, it was assigned as the historic landmark by Changhua County in 2000. Now, let Cool-Bow introduce this special construction that is of great historic and cultural values.
When do we have the roundhouse? What’s the function of it?
During the middle Japanese colonial period, the roundhouse was set up for locomotive repairment, dispatching, maintenance, and supplement. It was called engine shed at that time.
Fan-shaped design can increase the capacity of engine shed.
The name “roundhouse” is quite special. How did it get its name?
The building was designed to take the shape of roundhouse, with a fan-shaped motorized turntable and radial tracks, and that is why it was called “roundhouse”. Quite interesting, isn’t it?
It is characterized by the round shaped building and turntable.
How many roundhouses do we have in Taiwan?
There were six roundhouses along North-south railway, located in Taipei, Hinchu, Changhua. Chiayi, Kaoshiung, and Kaoshiung Horbor. However, Changhua roundhouse is the only one in-service now.
There were six roundhouses in Taiwan .
Why was CRH the only one kept?
Roundhouse suits steam locomotives. Therefore, roundhouses were not necessary to stand after the railway electrification project , and CRH was also faced with a shut-down in 1994. However, some local leaders and Babuza Railway Culture and History Working office made efforts to keep this precious building and it was finally kept and remained its origin design, including turntables, stokers, smokestacks and water towers. Now it’s the only still in-service in Taiwan.
CRH looks almost the same as its original design.
When was CRH assigned as the historic landmark by the County?
After assigned as the County designate monument on October 25, 2000, CRH was the one and only railway monument in Taiwan. Except Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum in Japan, CRH is the last remaining and still in-service in Asia.
CRH has worked since 1922.
Did it ever reconstruct after being assigned as historic landmark?
CRH was damaged by 921earthquake and fortunately got 70 million dollars as the subsidy to reconstruct.
Rebars were embedded to increase the tensile strength.
What is "engine shed" ?
Japanese called locomotives as “engine train”, and the place for repairing locomotives is “engine shed”.
Source: Changhua Cool-Bow
