International Railroad Discussion > Scheduled steam service in Japan?

I was watching this on my local PBS station: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/journeys/journey_20180717.html
I was intrigued by the host's means of arrival in Tsuwano; a steam powered train from Shin Yamaguchi station. Does anyone have any more information on this operation?

That's the "SL Yamaguchi" train that runs on JR West's Yamaguchi Line. I've gone out there to document the Class Unit 4-6-2 C57-1 few years ago. I haven't posted a report yet, but I'll work on it since you've shown interest.

While the train runs on many weekends during the year, it is NOT a regularly scheduled train. On the official Japanese schedule, SL Yamaguchi is listed as a seasonal extra, with specific dates of operation. It will not be listed on the abridged English schedule that is handed out when you go to the Exchange Office for the JR Rail Pass.

Yamaguchi Line is located on the western end of Honshu (main island), about 5 hours away (~640 miles) from Tokyo on the Shinkansen. 2+ hours west (295 miles) from Shin-Osaka.

While the WWII strafe-survivor C57-1 is regularly assigned to this train, recently restored 2-8-2 D51-200 (second "Degoichi" restored for main line operation) has made guest appearances in recent months.

Speaking of steam in Japan, a friend alerted me that the City of Otaru, Hokkaido Prefecture (northwest of Sapporo on the Sea of Japan) sought crowd funding to repair their 1909 era H. K. Porter locomotive #3, ¥7.39 million (a bit over $67,000).  Repairs were successful and the little Porter will makes it's grand return this Wednesday, 25 July.

https://www.city.otaru.lg.jp.e.go.hp.transer.com/simin/sisetu/museum/iron_horse/  (machine translation, ain't perfect but you get the idea)

d.

Around 1991, I rode a steam train into the mountains west of Tokyo.  At the top of the mountain, I was showing my friend around the outside of the engine.  The engineer invited us into the cab to look around.  The fireman opened the firebox revealing charcoal briquettes!  That was a surprise.  I also rode a steam train several times northeast of Tokyo.  I was explaining to the conductor that the other train used charcoal and he did not believe it.  It's been so long ago that I can't remember the locations.

251F Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Speaking of steam in Japan, a friend alerted me
> that the City of Otaru, Hokkaido Prefecture
> (northwest of Sapporo on the Sea of Japan) sought
> crowd funding to repair their 1909 era H. K.
> Porter locomotive #3, ¥7.39 million (a bit over
> $67,000).  Repairs were successful and the little
> Porter will makes it's grand return this
> Wednesday, 25 July.

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6702.html (Otaru City Museum)

Above link is the location of HK Porter #3, described in superior human English. The museum has quite an extensive collection of railroad equipment (DMUs, diesel, electric, and steam locomotives, rolling stock including freight, among others). To save time, I went to the Japanese wikipedia site to get a complete roster of the collection. What stood out (besides #3) is that they have a rail bus, and plenty of snow fighting equipment including a rotary.

Thanks for bringing it to awareness. Definitely worth a visit, and hopefully, a TO member will visit in the near future and post a report.

Yes, the entire Canal District of Otaru-shi is well worth a visit.  I've never been there, but this sure gives one plenty of reasons to visit. 

The City of Otaru website posted the celebration of the return to service of H. K. Porter #3. 
https://www.city.otaru.lg.jp/simin/sisetu/museum/news_2018_0723.html (Japanese only)

Speaking of railway museums in Japan, I made a quick visit in March to the JR-Central SCMAGLEV Railway Park museum near Nagoya.  Another "well worth a visit" railway museum.  One of two class ED11 GE boxcab electrics from 1923 is on display inside the museum.   It's about a 30 minute ride from JR Nagoya Station AN01 on the Aonami Line  あおなみ線  to the end of the line at Kinjo-futo Station AN11 金城ふ頭.  Legoland (yawn) is across the street from the Railway Museum.  JR Freight still uses the Aonami Line for the first 4 km from Nagoya Station to Arako Station 荒子 to access Nagoya Freight Terminal.
http://museum.jr-central.co.jp/en/
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3314.html

d.

 

Picture 1.  C571 going north from Shin-Yamaguchi toward Tsuwano. Except for a few days a year it oprts a gadget hich is supposed to reduce smoke.
Picture 2. C56 and C57 double head leaving the city of Tsuwano.
Picture 3.  C57180 withou a "hat" crosses a bridge between Yamato and K>itagata on the Banetsu line northeast of Tokyo
Some informations on Japanese steams are below:
https://www.tsunagujapan.com/8-train-lines-where-you-can-enjoy-steam-locomotives-in-japan/

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