a NT$10.6 billion contract with Sumitomo Group and Nippon Sharyo to supply 17 tilting train sets capable of traveling . These eight-car electric multiple units (EMUs) were delivered from 2012 to 2014 for Taroko Express services running between Taipei and Hualien on the east coast lines. The system achieved a single day record on February 5, 2011 during Chinese New Year celebrations, transporting 724,000 passengers a day. History The first Taiwanese railway was completed during the Qing era in 1893. In 1895, the Qing Empire ceded Formosa (Taiwan) to the Empire of Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War. The line was about in length but in a poor condition when the Japanese arrived: The Official Japanese Annual Report of 1935 states (under title Colonial Railways Section II Taiwan): Timeline 1887: Construction begins on first railway in Taiwan between Keelung and Taipei in early March. (Imperial approbation obtained by Qing dynasty governor Liu Ming-chuan, as part of development of new Taiwan Province.) 1891: First rail line completed; branch from Twatutia to Keelung, driven by English engineers 1893: First Formosa railway completed. 1895: Taiwan ceded to Japan by China following the end of the First Sino-Japanese War. Ministry of Taiwan Railway established by the Japanese Government. Reconstruction begins of Kīrun-Taihoku branch to avoid numerous short curves and steep grades. Work is also performed on the line leading from Taihoku to the south. Total cost of these improvements reaching nearly two million yen. Railway under direct control of the Military Department. 1897: The railway comes under control of Civil Department. 1898: Local island government announces its intention of carrying on the work itself. Plans formulated by Chief Engineer Hasegawa. 1899: Work started on the southern line from Dagu (打狗) north to Tainan, a distance of ; completed in November 1900. Japanese Diet granted 30,000,000 yen for ten years to cover cost of mainline from Taihoku to Takow. 1900: The Keelung and Hsinchu lines were repaired. Rolling stock was added. Work commenced on the short branch line from Taihoku to Tansui; completed in June 1901. Over 7 million yen spent by Japanese government on Formosan railways by 1903. 1908: Mainline from Taihoku to Takao is completed. 1922: The West Coast line (Chikunan - Shōka) is completed. 1924: The Giran line (Hatto - Suō) is completed. 1926: The Taitō Line (Karenkō - Taitō) is completed. 1941: The Heitō line (Takao - Bōryō) is completed. 1940–1945: