International Railroad Discussion > VALE Tama........

Tama has passed away  in Japan

many of you familiar with Japanese railroading will know the story of the Cat that saved a railway

i was going to visit Tama on my next trip to Japan  !



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/25/15 00:05 by bakersfielddave.

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I never heard of Tama could you briefly please explain the story of Tama saving a railroad? Thanks.

pwh Wrote:
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> I never heard of Tama could you briefly please
> explain the story of Tama saving a railroad?
> Thanks.

Tama, The Cat That Saved A Japanese Train Station, Dies

Tama (cat)

Brings to mind Skimbleshanks, the railway cat who lived on the night mail between London and Glasgow in T. S. Eliot's book about cats (and A.L. Webber's musical "Cats").   Train didn't move until he gave the OK, etc.   He was an orange tabby in the musical.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/25/15 19:18 by masterphots.

That is sad to hear as I liked the stories about Tama and also all the different stuff featuring Tama. I had also hoped to get to Japan someday to see Tama,

Jim

tq-07fan Wrote:
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> That is sad to hear as I liked the stories about
> Tama and also all the different stuff featuring
> Tama. I had also hoped to get to Japan someday to
> see Tama,
>
> Jim

There is "Nitama" who has been an apprentice to Tama, and I believe the younger cat is already filling in after Tama's passing. "Nitama" is a clever pun, which can mean "Tama-look-a-like" or "Tama #2."

I tried to visit Wakayama during my JR Rail Pass marathon trip in May, but got skunked by a trespasser incident (the notorious 人身事故) which delayed all trains on the Hanwa Line (阪和線), the line that goes between Osaka and Wakayama. So I missed my only opportunity to see Tama, but I'm willing to meet Nitama on my future visits. There are some interesting railfanning opportunities in the area besides the Wakayama Railway, which hosted Tama.

if thats so.... i will go and see the new boss there