MJ Model Railroad – A House of Dreams for Railway Fans

MJ Model Railroad (阿立圓山玩具模型社), located beside MRT Yuanshan Station (捷運圓山站), is one of a select number of Taipei shops selling model trains. Small model trains circle overhead, just below the ceiling. Everything here, from tracks to decorations, are the design ideas of owner A-Li (阿立). The shop’s big picture windows let customers watch not only the metro trains going by outside, but also airplanes that swoop by overhead once in a while. A-Li, a passionate railway enthusiast, says that when he was younger the Taiwan Railways Administration’s Tamsui Line ran where the MRT Tamsui Line now runs. He and his older brother looked on it as a companion. Seeking to preserve these cherished memories of youth, he decided to transform his home into a collector’s shop for model trains.

The shop’s hottest offering right now is a model of the first generation of the EMU100, just retired from service this year. Since it was rolled out, railway buffs from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, and elsewhere have shown up. Even one of the engineers that worked on the production of this train, used in Taiwan as a Tze-Chiang Limited Express (自強號), came from England to admire his craftsmanship. A-Li also specially recommends the Japanese KATO series of railway models as being of especially high value to collectors.

After the models, the most eye-catching thing in the shop is the long miniature railway on the bar counter before the picture windows. After a customer selects something to drink, a small train delivers the beverage, chugging along leisurely before stopping in front of the intended recipient. A-Li’s inspiration for this nifty innovation was a train-themed restaurant in Prague that he visited while in the Czech Republic attending a train show. In this way the model trains are given practical work to do while their exquisite workmanship is showcased for visitors.

Favorite Railway Station Shops – Top-Selling Small Cultural-Creative Offerings

In the grand lobby of the Taipei Main Station (臺北車站) you’ll find two shops dedicated to Taiwan railway souvenirs. One – the Taiwan Railways Flagship Shop (臺鐵夢工場旗艦店) – is by the West 3 Entrance, while the other – Taiwan Railway Company (台灣鐵道故事館) – is near the East 1 Entrance.

The Taiwan Railways Flagship Shop is focused on souvenirs related specifically to Taiwan’s railways; in recent years it has concentrated on producing more cultural-creative products, introducing items with a strong practical function. The periodic launch of limited-edition collector’s items also inevitably causes quite a stir. An example is this year’s unveiling of limited-edition Taiwan Railways EMU700 series models, from the electric multiple unit commuter-train category, which have luxurious and sophisticated carriage interiors. To celebrate the electrification of the Hualien-Taitung (Hua-Tung) Railway Line (花東線鐵路) on Taiwan’s east coast, the “Hua-Tung Electrification Commemorative Lunchbox” (花東電氣化紀念款便當盒) was created; both pleasing to the eye and eco-friendly, it is rich in Taiwanese flavor. One of the most popular products is the moderately priced “Pull-Back Mini Train” (迴力小火車) series, which features a fan-shaped depot that much enhances the pleasure for collectors. The compact “Puyuma Model Mobile Power Source” (普悠瑪造型行動電源), which is a functional consumer-electronics device and serves as a flashlight, is a take-everywhere favorite with mobile-phone users.

Taiwan Railways Shops has also been opened in Songshan Railway Station. While the flagship shop has an air of nostalgia, the Songshan outlet is in a first-generation EMU100 Tze-Chiang Limited Express carriage that has been re-outfitted. It features double seats, single-person “business class” seats, teacup holders, luggage racks, seat numbers, etc. Railway fans have dubbed it the “English noblewoman” carriage. Brought back into service and given a new role, the carriage has become a popular station attraction.

Located at the East 1 Entrance of Taipei Main Station, the Taiwan Railway Company has a retro look. It is stuffed with all sorts of nostalgic railway-themed items created by the house design team, and has a distinctive local style. A good example is the limited-edition Yes, I Do (鐵不出軌) paperweight, with a Chinese name that translates as “Hard as Iron – Never to Derail,” symbolizing the gravitas of a loyalty oath. Presented in an elegant wooden box, this is a fine gift choice for a sweetheart. “Nostalgic Letters” (懷舊手札) is a series of small notebooks with printed images evoking Taiwan childhoods of yesteryear, with an attractive retro-style string binding. They can be used to record your railway-trip experiences. Truly unique are the “Wooden Postcards” (木質明信片), printed with images of spots around the country. After purchase, write down a few on-the-spot lines, drop your cards in the large, retro-style mailbox outside the shop, and your travel thoughts and feelings will be whisked off to the recipient.

When in Taipei exploring the story of the local railways, don’t miss out on picking up one – or more – of these one-of-a-kind railway-theme souvenirs, preserving your treasured travel memories in a cherished treasure you can hold in your hands.

Information

MJ Model Railroad

阿立圓山玩具模型社

Add: 3F, 18, Ln. 225, Sec. 3, Chengde Rd.

(承德路3段225巷18號3樓)

Tel: (02)2585-9491

Taiwan Railways Shops 臺鐵夢工場

Flagship Shop 旗艦店

Add: 1F, No. 3, Beiping W. Rd.; Taipei Main Station West 3 Entrance

(北平西路3號1樓 (臺北車站西3門)

Tel: (02)2383-0367

Songshan Shop 松山店

Add: 11, Songshan Rd.; Songshan Station B1 West Exit (松山路11號; 松山車站B1西出口)

Tel: (02)2747-4242

Taiwan Railway Company (Breeze Center Shop)

台灣鐵道故事館 (微風店)

Add: 1F, 3, Beiping W. Rd.; Taipei Main Station East 1 Entrance (北平西路3號1樓; 臺北車站東1門)

Tel: (02)6632-8999, ext. 1903