TAOYUAN (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Tourism Administration (觀光署) and Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA, 臺鐵) have launched the "Smile Champion Train – Have a Trip with Champion!" on Wednesday (Jan. 15) to celebrate the nation's victory in the WBSC Premier12 tournament.
Premier12 baseball players, including Chen Kuan-yu (陳冠宇) and Huang Tzu-peng (黃子鵬), attended the launch. Huang shared childhood memories of traveling by train for baseball practice, emphasizing the connection between baseball and Taiwan's railways. The players encouraged the public to ride the train and support Taiwanese baseball.
Tourism Administration Director-General Chou Yung-hui (周永暉) and TRA Chairman Tu Wei (杜微) announced the train's inauguration earlier that day. The train will run between Keelung and Chiayi operating from Jan. 15-30.
Chou expressed gratitude to TRA for collaborating on the train, which honors the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival and Taiwan's national sport, baseball. He stated, "The enthusiasm of the Premier12 championship remains in the hearts of the Taiwanese people." The festival, planned with a baseball field concept, will welcome visitors from Feb. 12-23 to enjoy baseball-themed lanterns.
The administration further reminded travelers of the Taiwan Lantern Festival's opening next month. Southern visitors can reach the festival via TRA to Zhongli Station, then walk to the "Corridor of Light" (光之長廊) and take the Airport MRT to the main lantern areas. The administration also urged fans to support the baseball team at the Classic Qualifier from Feb. 21-25 at Taipei Dome (大巨蛋).