By TETSURO KITAMURA/ Staff Writer
March 1, 2022 at 07:00 JST
The SL Yamaguchi sightseeing train, pulled by a D51 steam locomotive, crosses the Chomonkyo gorge bridge in Yamaguchi in October. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
YAMAGUCHI--West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) will revive the age of steam travel this year by operating the SL Yamaguchi sightseeing train for 86 days on its JR Yamaguchi Line, mainly on weekends and holidays between March 19 and Nov. 20.
Pulled by a D51-200 steam locomotive, the retro-looking five-car train with a passenger capacity of 245 will make a round trip daily between Shin-Yamaguchi Station in Yamaguchi and Tsuwano Station in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture.
The SL Yamaguchi only operated for 18 days between October and December last year due to inspections and repairs. A diesel locomotive filled its place to lead the sightseeing train from March to September.
“This year, we want passengers to enjoy the landscape along the line that changes with each season and also experience that special feeling only a steam locomotive can offer,” said a representative of JR West’s Yamaguchi branch.
All seats are reserved.
Reservations can be made one month in advance at JR West’s major stations and also online at (https://www.c571.jp/).
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