I explored the Taipei Metro Circlular Line. A mostly elevated line possessing one of the more unique pieces of elevated rail put up as of late, a double deck section with a direction on each level; similar to some expwys in Japan, Taipei, KL and Mainland China. A short🧵.

The Circular Line uses a suped up version of Hitachi's driverless metro technology. With three car long trains but platforms are designed for 4 cars.

The current line (🟡 color) is 15km long only serves southwest of Greater Taipei but work is going on for the north and south arcs of the circle line which should be completed by 2030. The final eastern section will form a full circle around Taipei hopefully complete by mid 2030.

The elevated double deck sections are in Zhonghe District of New Taipei City and has 3 stations (Zhonghe, Qiaohe and Zhongyuan) which are all elevated side stacked platforms.

The structure is quite massive and imposing. Due to the use of box steel bridge supports riveted together, looks very Japanese.

The structure also has extensive sound walling on both decks which add to its apparent mass. Overall looks like the Keisei, Keikyu and Hankyu (soon) double deck sections that Japanese railfans colloquially call a "fortress" due to their wall-like appearance but much longer.

The transition section between stacked over/ under running and the traditional side to side running is also quite something.

Beside the transition section is the construction site for the Wanda–Zhonghe–Shulin line. But this the station box is quite a ways away from the Circular Line Zhonghe Station and I also believe it will be an out of station transfer. So the transfers between the lines will suck :/

Inside an elevated double stack station (Qiaohe) they at least have space for bathrooms and of course to go the other direction, you have to go up one level!

I leave you to ride in the double stack elevated railway of Taipei! Thanks for reading this thread and remember to like, share and subscribe. Smash that bell icon for future content.

Very interesting alignment. Looks like the entire 2.3km 2 track double deck stretch including the transition ramps was done to squeeze through the tight RoW at Qiaohe Station over Bannan Rd. RoW there is <20m vs 25m-30m for the rest of the circular line's alignment.