International Railroad Discussion > Watarase Keikoku Railway

Last time I rode was over 30 years ago when this branch was part of Japan Railways. The Watarase Railway runs 44 kilometers from Kiryu, Gunma, Japan to Mato, Tochigi following the Watarase river for the most part. I bought the all day pass for 1850 Yen ($18.25) and rode the entire line and back making several stops. The trains run about an hour apart and the Sunday schedule had 26 trains making the entire run plus more local service between Kiryu and Omama. For the most part they are single car DMU but they run two excursion trains--one a double DMU and the other pulled by a diesel electric.

1. DMU at Sori Station. We stopped at looked at the thousands of hydrangeas in bloom.
2. Professional engineer at the throttle.
3. DMU leaving Ashio for Mato.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/20/14 02:34 by Railpax71.

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The two flavors of excursion trains passing at Sori. There were many foamers with cameras here (including me).

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1. Emblem on the open excursion cars
2. Along the Watarase River
3. Crossing the Watarase River and entering a tunnel which declines under the Kusagi Dam and exits near Godo

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1. At Godo there is a restaurant built in two retired EMU cars.
2. The lower Watarase is deeper and not as rocky
3. Crossing the Watarase near Tsudo.

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1. DMU at Sori.
2. Train from Mato approaching Ashio with DE on the excursion train.
3. Mizubuma Onsen parallel to the tracks

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Thanks for the tour!

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com

Railpax71 Wrote:
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> 1. At Godo there is a restaurant built in two
> retired EMU cars.

Enjoyed your great report!

That EMU car might be from Tobu Railway's venerable 1720 series limited express set, the "Deluxe Romance Car (DRC)" used on the Kegon and Kinu, replaced by the Spacia in the 1990s.