I think I mentioned before that beside the rolling stock not much has changed on the Alishan Forest Railway.

I think I mentioned before that beside the rolling stock not much has changed on the Alishan Forest Railway. It does for example still run on pretty much the same tracks. Literally.

If you look at modern railway tracks, you will often find that the rails are being held in place with sturdy springs, which are secured with equally sturdy screws and nuts. Not here.

On the left is a switch, the only reason you see screws holding the rails. On the right is the regular track, held in place with - nails. This is not a museum exhibit, this is the live track where the trains to and from the mountain run every day.

Exciting, isn't it?

This was the fishion of Fune '86.

This was the fishion of Fune '86.

Quite in contrast to her son, Batma had never developed a preference for anthracite.

Quite in contrast to her son, Batma had never developed a preference for anthracite.

For years I didn't dare to make Stollen, until two years ago I just tried and found it wasn't difficult at all.

For years I didn't dare to make Stollen, until two years ago I just tried and found it wasn't difficult at all. Christmas is getting closer...

The annual 8kg, this time baked in just one day.

The annual 8kg, this time baked in just one day.

Taking over the world is not easy these days, good henchmen are hard to find.

Taking over the world is not easy these days, good henchmen are hard to find. If you find yourself in need of loyal minions, you may need to consider cloning...

Things my daughter probably never gets to see: her birthday cake.

Things my daughter probably never gets to see: her birthday cake. (the one I made, her mother likely bought one) Three layers, separated by pudding creme, covered in chocolate, with four marzipan roses for four years.

I don't think I can make the roses any smaller than this. And I need to do more with chocolate, I seriously lack experience there.

Trying to make a pop-up birthday card.

Trying to make a pop-up birthday card. The template really helps a lot, but still I need some practice with this. It is definitely not as easy as the video suggested...

I tried something different, cookie roses, for my daughter.

I tried something different, cookie roses, for my daughter. The dough is a mix of regular cookie dough and marzipan, with food dye added.

Making the roses was not too difficult, I only had to adjust the dough composition. (more flour) The real problem comes with baking, because the petals are somewhat thin on the upside, while the bottom is one chunk of dough, I still need to work on that, probably use a lower temperature and more time.

But it was a fun experiment. Now let's see who will get to eat them...

When the steam locomotives on the Alishan Forest Railway (British models from the WWI era) had to retire, they were...

When the steam locomotives on the Alishan Forest Railway (British models from the WWI era) had to retire, they were replaced with German diesel locomotives. That happened in 1977.

These had 650hp, enough to pull a few wagons slowly up the mountain. I am not sure what is currently pulling the trains, I haven't been near a running train, but from far it looks like the same model is still in operation.

The original manufacturer is however not, Orenstein&Koppel gave up their business by the end of last century. So, where will the next locomotives come from?