The name of the service comes from the 19-kilometre (12-mile) long Taroko Gorge, which is one of Taiwan's most popular tourist spots, and the Truku people.

They were imported to Taiwan in 2006; since 2007, they have been running between Hualien and Taipei City, on the curved Yilan line at the existing narrow gauge tracks, where they reduced traveling time between the two places from previously 3 hours down to about 2 hours.

Its maximum operational speed is 130 kilometres per hour (81 mph).

[2] On 2 April 2021, a Taroko Express train derailed in Hualien County, killing 49 people with many others injured.

[3][4] For 150 mph (241 km/h) or more in the US, see High-speed rail in the United States