The second version of the leopard cat-themed train is a collaboration between the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) and the Endemic Species Research Institute (ESRI). It aims at raising the public awareness of the need to protect Taiwan's endangered leopard cat population.
Between the 1930s and 1940s, leopard cats were natural inhabitants of Taiwan found across the country. Nowadays, they can be spotted only in low elevation mountains between Miaoli and Chiayi. Yet the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources still considers leopard cats a species of "least concern".
The train will serve the Jiji Line between Changhua and Nantou counties departing the Ershui Station in Changhua and have four carriages.
The Taiwan Railways Administration has prepared a limited lot of 1,000 special tickets to commemorate the occasion. Each ticket will cost NT$150 (~USD5). The limited edition tickets will allow passengers to hop on hop off the train at each station it stops within a single day to enjoy the scenic ride on Jiji Line between Ershui and Checheng.
Photo @ Central News Agency
Taiwan Launches Leopard Cat-Themed Train
News in Asia
Taiwan's famous leopard cat-themed train now boasts an updated edition. With a livery painted after Taiwan's only surviving wild cat, the train is scheduled to make its maiden trip on March, 20.