Railway Enthusiast Chairman Donates Steam Locomotive, Reviving Sweet Memories at Railway Museum

(Central News Agency, Reporter Wang Bao-er, Taipei, 18th) Since the first phase of the National Railway Museum opened last July, the Taiwan Sugar Railways steam locomotive No. 376, presented in a dynamic display that makes its wheels appear to be constantly turning, has become a favorite among visitors. It was donated by collector Dai Sheng-tang, preserving a sweet memory on the railway for all citizens. Dai Sheng-tang, chairman of the Dading Catering Group, is a veteran railway enthusiast. In 2021, he donated the No. 376 steam locomotive, a sugarcane car, and a maintenance speeder, which had been in his family's collection for many years, to the preparatory office of the National Railway Museum. After restoration and parts collection, the No. 376 steam locomotive and the sugarcane car completed their restoration on September 27, 2024. Today, on May 18th, International Museum Day, the museum's preparatory office held a donation appreciation ceremony in front of the No. 376 steam locomotive display at the diesel-electric workshop, reviewing the restoration process. Dai Sheng-tang described the feeling of donating the vehicle as "marrying off a daughter," saying that he initially hoped to preserve this historical memory, and now he is glad it can be transformed into educational significance. Dai pointed out that since the 1980s, Taiwan had been phasing out steam locomotives, and many were facing disassembly and disappearance. "I thought at that time that these things needed to be kept," he said. He not only restored the vehicle to working order but also drove it himself, needing to get up at 5 a.m. to add water, coal, and coarse sand, and keep heating it until it could move around 7 or 8 a.m. "This locomotive means a lot to me emotionally." But besides his reluctance to part with it, he also felt he should find a proper home for it. The Railway Museum has welcomed 590,000 visitors since its opening on July 31st last year until yesterday. The donated No. 376 steam locomotive is displayed in the diesel-electric workshop, dynamically showing the operation of the steam locomotive's driving wheels and connecting rods, making it look as if the vehicle is running. Cheng Ming-chang, director of the Railway Museum's preparatory office, shared that this naturally attracts visitors to stop and watch, with some children staying to observe for a long time. Cheng Ming-chang mentioned that after this No. 376 steam locomotive was decommissioned from the sugar factory, it operated at the Du Du Paradise in Caotun, Nantou. He recalled visiting it and remembered the sign stating that the collector hoped to preserve this locomotive so everyone could remember the epitome of the sugar industry in an agricultural society. Cheng said he didn't know who that person was at the time, but he knew they had enough passion and awareness of cultural heritage preservation. He is very grateful for Dai Sheng-tang's donation and the government's policy support that made the Railway Museum possible. These opportunities and circumstances have awakened those who have collected these important artifacts from the past, allowing the public to see this vehicle. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150518