前幾天，夜晚時，路過台中火車站，發現夜晚的火車站變身為假日市集，可能因為有活動，夜晚時分，還燈火通明，把車站周邊點綴的五光十色，璀璨非凡，不過，當我白天路過火車站時，彷彿脫去了它夜晚時，那面神秘的面紗，發現它是一項珍貴的文物資產。
首先是臺中驛站，簡稱為臺中驛，為1917年完工的古蹟，建築風格為白色洗石子環帶圍繞與紅磚面相襯的浪漫古典樣式，辰野風的赤練瓦磚造建築，屋頂為洋式木構造銅板瓦，月臺則為鑄鐵構造，現在還保留那麼完整的驛站，已經不多了，舊軌小舞台，就是晚上街頭藝人表演的舞台，由舊軌道及枕木座椅區，營造出獨有的鐵道氛圍，在夏天週末夜晚，坐在座位上面，喝著冰涼啤酒，看著眼前的表演，應該非常有情調。
舊軌第一及第二月台，就是夜晚市集攤商擺放商品的地方，夜晚時分，人來人往地走在月台上，不是因為趕著要上下火車，而是因為挑選手作小物，匆忙與悠閒的對比，夜晚與白天的對照，讓人有種時空交錯的混亂感覺，因為現在月台區已經不再使用，除了市集開放時，會來這邊的遊客，都是為了捕抓數輛在舊軌道上陳列的火車，光華號是在1966年10月31日開始營運的列車，是當時島內陸上最快交通工具，現已退役，不過不少人在車廂內拍照，遙想當時它的風姿，另一輛陳列的火車式自強號，它是臺灣鐵道史上的首款電聯車，1970年2月3日正式首航的莒光號，全車配備空調系統，坐臥兩用座椅、走道鋪有地毯，是當時最頂級的火車。
說實話，白天會來鐵道文化園區的遊客不多，假如是鐵道迷們的話，應該會愛上這裡，他們可以在這裡拍攝幾款經典的火車，觀察火車站內的各種設施，像是候車大廳、站台、售票亭等，研究火車站背後的故事，或發掘火車站建築風格等，累了的話，還可以去車廂內的咖啡店休息一下，但絕大多數的遊客，應該偏好晚上的市集活動，我是因為剛好在夜晚及白天都有經過這裡，才有辦法比對出此地，白天及夜晚的美好。
A few days ago, I passed by Taichung Train Station at night and saw it transformed into a bustling weekend market. It must have been an event, as the whole area was brightly lit, turning the station surroundings into a vibrant, colorful scene. However, when I walked by during the day, it felt like it had taken off its "mystical" nighttime veil, revealing itself as a valuable historical treasure.
Starting with Taichung Station itself, or Taichung Yi, it’s a heritage site completed in 1917. The architecture combines romantic classical elements with a unique mix of white stone bands around red brick walls, a Western-style roof with copper shingles, and a cast-iron platform—a rare, well-preserved station from the era. There's also the Old Track Stage, now used by street performers, which has seating made of old tracks and sleepers, creating an authentic railway atmosphere. I can just imagine sitting there on a summer weekend night, enjoying a cold beer and watching a live performance. It sounds so charming.
The old first and second platforms are where the market stalls are set up at night. People wander up and down the platform, not to catch a train but to browse handmade crafts, which creates an interesting contrast between the bustling market at night and the quiet platform during the day. Since these platforms are no longer in use, visitors usually come during market hours, or to see the vintage trains displayed on the old tracks. One is the Guanghua train, which was launched on October 31, 1966, and was once the fastest train in Taiwan. It’s now retired, but people still go inside to take photos and imagine its glory days. Another displayed train is the Ziqiang Express, Taiwan’s first electric multiple unit, and the Juguang model, which started service on February 3, 1970. It had air conditioning, reclining seats, and carpeted aisles. It is a luxury train at the time.
Honestly, there aren’t a lot of visitors to the Railway Cultural Park during the day. But I think railway enthusiasts would love it here. They can take photos of these classic trains, study the station facilities like the waiting hall, platforms, and ticket booths, explore the stories behind the station, and appreciate the unique architectural style. When they’re tired, they can even grab a coffee inside one of the train carriages. But most people probably prefer the lively night market atmosphere. I just happened to visit during both day and night, so I got to appreciate the station’s beauty in both settings.
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