By TAKURO NOGUCHI/ Staff Writer
October 25, 2019 at 07:30 JST
TAKASAKI--The SL Gunma steam locomotive will receive a makeover to give its passenger carriages a retro ambience of the early Showa Era (1926-1989) plus a lounge car where travelers can relax and unwind.
The Takasaki branch of East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) owns two steam locomotives and seven carriages, which were built between 1938 and 1955. The boarded floors remain intact.
The carriage built in 1938, which is filled with a richly retro vibe, will be used as a reference for the remodeling project.
Among the modifications to give an ambience of the early Showa Era, the seat frames and elbow rests in the carriages will be refurbished with wood-effect materials.
One carriage will be turned into a lounge car for events and relaxation. It will feature box seats, long table seats and a service counter.
A pamphlet showing the mechanics of the steam locomotive, its history and other information will be given to families with elementary school pupils and younger children.
The remodeling project is part of the Gunma Destination Campaign, a large-scale tourism initiative scheduled for spring next year by the JR group and municipal governments in Gunma Prefecture. The total cost of the project is 150 million yen ($1.4 million).
The current passenger cars will be operated until the end of October.
The SL Gunma runs on weekends and holidays between the Takasaki and Yokokawa stations on the Shinetsu Line. The fare is 1,020 yen for the one hour, 30-kilometer ride.
It also runs 60 km between the Takasaki and Minakami stations on the Joetsu Line. The two-hour ride costs 1,490 yen.
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