When you think of Japan, you mainly think of the fast Shinkansen trains that look futuristic. But, there are also steam trains in tourist service on various railway lines in Japan. In this 5-part series you can enjoy footages of these kinds of rides through the beautiful Japanese landscape! One episode in this series also includes footages of a former small narrow-gauge industrial line (Yuma Rass Line) which was preserved. Credits: John Raby

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Steam in Japan

Part 1-5

This video is about the steam operation from Niigata to Aizu Wakamatsu on the Banetsu line commonly called the Banetsu Monogatari (Banetsu Story) using a C57 class loco. Credits: John Raby

Part 1: Banetsu Line

This video is about the narrow gauge Yume Rass 600mm railway owned and operated by volunteers within the Yume Bokujo children's farm near Narita, Chiba Prefecture. In the video, we see loco No. 3 a Kusuki loco exported to Taiwan for the Wudu Coal Mine railway near Keelung and purchased along with sister No. 6 and parts of a heavier loco by the volunteers of Yume Rass. Although lines operated by enthusiasts and volunteers are common in the UK, this is the only one in Japan. The 'foreign visitors' for this video all Japan residents at the time included myself, Ted Talbot and an American whose name I've forgotten. We all had a chance to drive No. 3. Credits: John Raby

Part 2: Yume Rass Railway

This video is about the Senmoo line which runs from Kushiro to Kawayu Onsen in Hokkaido, Japan. In the winter, doubled-headed C11s operate this service on weekends and holidays from January to March. Credits: John Raby

Part 3: The Senmoo Line

This video is about the Tadami line operation with a C11 loco from Aizu Wakamatsu to Tadami. The line features some spectacular bridges but this operation may no longer be current. Credits: John Raby

Part 4: The Tadami Line

This video is about the Mooka Railway which is a rural privately-owned railway running from Shimodate, Ibaraki to Motegi, Tochigii. It operates both C11 and C12 locos and in this video we see a C12. Credits: John Raby

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