San Diao Ling Station。Ping Si Branch

建在基隆河峽谷上的三貂嶺站，是個相當特別且讓人十分驚豔的迷你小站。這裡的乘客不多，即便假日也顯少會有遊客到來，我想或許就是這份幽靜純樸深深吸引我吧！

Built in the Keelung river valley, San Diao Ling train station is a very special and stunning mini station. There are not many riders and visitors on this station even during weekends; perhaps this quiet atmosphere has kept me attracted.

註：三貂嶺雖為平溪支線的起點，但因腹地過於狹小，再加上煤礦業沒落後業務萎縮，後來才改由瑞芳或猴硐發車。這就是為什麼平溪支線的起點站，有如此多不同版本的原因了。

PS: San Diao Ling was the starting point of the Ping Si branch. However, due to the small land and the decline of the coal mining business in San Diao Ling, the starting point of Ping Si branch changed to Jui Fang or Hon Dong. This is the reason there are so many versions of the starting point of Ping Si branch.

相傳西班牙人航行抵達時，把這裡取名為聖地牙哥（St.Diago），意思為「美麗的地方」。當地人根據此發音，而把這裡名命為「三貂嶺」。初見到三貂嶺車站的模樣時，實在很難想像，它曾經是運煤小火車的出入指揮中心。

According to the legend, Spaniard sailed to this place and named it for “St. Diago”, which means “Beautiful Place”. The local residents, based on its pronunciation, named it “San Diao Ling”. It was hard to believe that San Diao Ling was once the command center for the coal trains when I first saw this train station.

站內的第二月台相當狹窄且緊鄰著山壁，山壁上還長滿了許多蕨類及各式植物，乘客在此候車的同時，還可以欣賞這欣欣向榮的一景一幕。

The second platform is very narrow and next to a cliff. The cliff is covered with all kinds of ferns and plants. Passengers can enjoy the thriving scene while waiting for the train.

月台牆壁一角，堆著以前的指示牌。

The old signs were piled up in the corner of the platform.

車站這麼迷你再加上空間有限，當然不可能設有天橋或地橋，乘客要跨越月台直接穿過鐵道。

Since the station is very small with limited space, it is impossible to build a pedestrian bridge. All passengers would need to cross the railway tracks to go to the platform.

這幢水泥房是廢棄的號誌樓，許多鐵道迷專程來此追憶過往歲月。

This cement house was an abandoned signal building. Many railway enthusiasts come here to feel the past.

車站底下緊鄰著基隆河，因此車站大門並且沒有馬路出口，只有一條水泥小徑，乘客只能從小徑步行出入站。

Because the station was built next to the Keelung River, there is no road once you exit the door. The passengers can only exit on a small concrete path.

三貂嶺站是宜蘭線與平溪線的分歧點，兩線在此交會後便一分為二，左邊的鐵路通往宜蘭，右邊的鐵路則通往素有瀑布之鄉之稱的平溪鄉。

Yi Lan line and Ping Si line intersect at the San Diao Ling station, and then are divided into two. The railway on the left goes to Yi Lan, and on the right to Ping Si also known as Waterfall Township.

這個地下道是讓行人過鐵軌用的，但使用的人很少，大多人還是直接穿越鐵軌。

This underpass is for pedestrians to cross the tracks. Not too many passengers use it. They across the railroad tracks directly.

違規的不是只有我，還有常在附近出沒的貓咪。

I am not the only one crossing the tracks; the kitty is doing that too.

稍注意一下，可以發現車站附近的舊隧道口。

If you look closely, you can find an entrance of an old tunnel near the station.

三貂嶺車站是附近居民唯一對外的公共交通工具，還好這裡行經的班次頗多，稍稍彌補了一點居民的不便。

San Diao Ling train is the only transportation for the residents here. Fortunately, trains come here frequently to meet the residents’ needs.

雖然煤礦業的沒落，讓三貂嶺結束了燦爛的輝煌年代，但這裡充滿著人文歷史的溫度，仍然值得遊客駐足一探。

Although the coal mining industry declined and ended the golden years of San Diao Ling, this place is still fulfilled with cultural history worthwhile to visit.

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