Introduction
Taiwan Railways' West Coast Mainline (WCML) Electrification Project was completed in 1978, leading wholesale timetable recast on the WCML. At about the same time, the new EMU100 vehicles ordered for express passenger service on the WCML was introduced. Up until this point, the highest-class passenger train on the WCML had been the diesel and electric locomotive hauled Kwan-Kung (Tourist) Express, which was phased out of service on 25 April 1978. All express passenger schedules were re-allocated to a new class of deluxe electric express service, and the Chu-Kuang Express (introduced earlier in 1970).
The EMU100 "electric express" was formally introduced on 15 August 1978 at a fare of NT$1.32 per kilometer. The first services operated between Taipei and Taichung (via Coast Line), and as electric catenaries were erected, switched to operating via Mountain Line. As the service was extended to Chiayi and Tainan, the service was formally christened "Tzu-Chiang Limited Express". As electrification progressed, the service was eventually extended to between Keelung and Kaohsiung.
After 1980, other equipment was introduced and assigned to Tzu-Chiang service, including EMU200, EMU300, E1000 Push-Pull, TEMU1000 Tilting Train in electric territory, and DR2800, DR2900, and DR3000 in diesel territory. From 6 July 1991 through 31 March 1992, TRA piloted business class service on selected departures. However, due to low ticket sales, the experiment was terminated. In 2010, TRA redesignated certain former business class coaches (BCK) on the Chu-Kuang Express as Tzu-Chiang.
Read more about this topic: Tze-Chiang Train
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