The Alishan Forest Railway opened in 1912. At first it transported timber, but in 1920 in response to the needs of those living along the line, a mixed freight and passenger train began plying the route.
阿里山森鐵在 1912 年通車，初期僅載運林木；1920 年因應沿線居民需要，開始行駛混合列車，兼營客運。