Transportation:

Overview:

The Museum is conveniently located in downtown Hualien City near the Stone Art Street and Railway Business District. The Museum was originally the "Hualien Harbor Branch Office of the Railway Department" built in 1909. It was the predecessor to the Hualien Administration Office of Taiwan Railway, and oversaw the construction and operation of railways and roads in eastern Taiwan. It is now Taiwan's best-preserved narrow-gauge railway depot. After a three year program of conservation and restoration, the next step is to outsource the operation of the Museum and develop it into a railway-themed multi-purpose cultural and recreational park.

In recent years the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Railway Administration, historians, experts, academics and local residents launched a lengthy campaign to lobby for the preservation of the Hualien Harbor Branch Office. In September 2002 it was finally registered as a historic building in Hualien County and a Council for Cultural Affairs grant approved. This grant went towards emergency building repairs, historical research, hardware restoration, reuse planning, personnel training and internal refurbishment.

In 2003 the "Steam Locomotive Water Tower" and "Branch Chief's Quarters" were added to the register of historic buildings, and plans made to revive steam locomotive service. In 2004 the nearby "Old Hualien Engineering Section" and the "Martial Arts Hall of the Railway Department Police" were also registered as historic buildings. In the future, the Museum's plans for the "Railway Culture Park" include:
( 1 ) Refurbishing the vacant depot as a new world-class visionary recreational tourist destination in Taiwan.
( 2 )Set up a comprehensive exhibition on depot history and culture to reinforce and expand on the unique local culture. At the same time, help cultivate a link with the land among local residents in order to realize the ideal of combining education with leisure.
( 3 )Achieve integration with the overall Hualien-Taitung recreational tourism industry and stimulate cultural/economic developments in the region.
( 4 )Preserve the depot's historical appearance while introducing new perspectives to attract tourists of all ages and types while also re-awakening their interest in local historical artifacts.
( 5 )Create a regional recreational landmark, stimulate local development, build up consensus among local residents and contribute to the welfare of the local people.
( 6 )Make the park a "living" recreational destination through long-term dynamic planning.

The park site currently includes six areas:

• Hualien Harbor Branch Office of the Railway Department
• Old Hualien Engineering Section
• Martial Arts Hall of the Railway Department Police
• Steam Locomotive Water Tower
• Planned site for restored steamed locomotive service and railway tourism district
• Branch Chief's Quarters.