MYSTIC VALLEY RAILWAY SOCIETY

Trains On Stamps

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By T. J. Hill

 

Chunghua Oost of republic of China (Taiwan) issue a set of four stamps depicting old train station buildings on June 9, 2005. They are the following:

Changhua Station (NT$5)

This station first became a railway stop in 1904, and the two-story wooden structure featured was constructed in 1918. The building was torn down to make room for a station building in 1938, and had a steeply sloped roof and arched front entrance.

Chiayi Station (NT$5)

This station first became a railway stop in 1902, and the reinforced concrete station building featured on the stamp was reconstructed in 1933. It is a marriage of a modern structure and classical design.

Taiwan Station (NT$15)

This station first became a railway stop in 1900, and the reinforced concrete station building featured on the stamp in 1936. This is the only remaining Japanese Occupation era two-story building in Taiwan. Apart from handling passengers and freight transportation in its early days, it also contained a restaurant and a hotel on the second floor. Both the Chiayi and Taiwan Station buildings are still in service.

Kaohsiung Station (NT$25)

This station first became a railway stop in Kaohsiung Harbor area in 1900, and was moved to the current address in 1908. The imperial-crown-style reinforced concrete station building featured on the stamp was built in 1941. This building has been turned into a museum by the Kaohsiung City Government.