Yuanquan Station 源泉車站

Yuanquan Station is the first station after Ershui on the Jiji Line. This quiet little station is located in Hexing Village, Ershui Township, Changhua County. A total of 26 Local Trains call at this station daily (13 to Jiji, 13 from Jiji), operating at 80 to 120 minute intervals. No attendant is present at the station, so tickets must be purchased on board or at the surrounding stations.

 

Information

• Type: Aboveground station
• Grade: Flag stop
• No. of platforms: 1
• Platform type: Side platform
• Established date: 14/01/1922
• Former name: Bizitou Stn. (鼻子頭驛, literally, Nose Head Stn.)
• Surrounding stations
• Ershui Stn. (二水, 2.8km westbound; 4 mins)
• Zhuoshui Stn. (濁水, 7.9km eastbound; 9 mins)

The train pulls away from the station. I'm the only one alighting from this train.

Side view of the terminal. A peek inside the room on the left reveals an old disused generator.

The terminal consists of a single story concrete building.

At Ershui Station, the railroad divides into two lines: the continuation of the Western Trunk Line's southern section and the beginning of the Jiji Line, therefore Yuanquan is the second station from the west. The distant roar of trains on the Western Trunk Line can often be heard. According to TRA's website, the current terminal was built after the 921 Earthquake which destroyed the original terminal. A wooden terminal was built temporarily until the new terminal was completed. However the new terminal is stripped of all doors and windows, leaving only the frames behind. 

A few benches are placed inside the tiny terminal. There's also a timetable and fare table.

A wooden waiting area on the platform. Possibly reconstructed from the former wooden shelter.

The single track along the station means that no two trains may pass at the same time.

On the other side of the tracks lay a small recreational park. The park is well-maintained but falling out of use. It's intended as a rest stop for the Ershui bike path, there's even an underground pass to the other side from the terminal but it's currently sealed off. A couple of few sweepers were doing their job when I arrived, taking rests at the park's shelter. There are a few colorful tiled murals in the park as well.

Large square on the terminal side. Amazingly, the traditional water pipes are still functional.

Wooden benches under a semicircular shelter at the park.

Tunnel along the bike path. Most of the facade has been covered by the trees.

Yuanquan is located at the end of Mt. Bagua. During the Japanese occupation years, its topography was shaped like an elephant's trunk, thus earning its name of Bizitou. It was renamed Yuanquan (literally, Source Spring) in 1962. It was reduced to a flag stop in 1979, and maintained by Ershui Stn. since then.

This information sign still uses the former name of the station: Yuancyuan.

Stone tablet inscribed with words wishing visitors a happy journey.

Well-preserved traditional Taiwanese houses can be found in the village.

Overall, Yuanquan is a decent place to experience the Taiwanese countryside. Please note that there are no convenience stores around but a few shops are open in the village. One can also reach the station via bus. Yuanlin Bus operates daily schedules along routes 6701 and 6702. Alight at Yuanquan stop and walk about 200m to the station.

Route markers showing the surrounding stations.

Panoramic view of the station.

The eastbound train arrives on time.