Photo/Illutration Stationmaster Chiharu Matsuda announces the start of operations for the SL Banetsu Monogatari on April 9 at Niitsu Station in Niigata's Akiba Ward. (Naomi Nishimura)

NIIGATA--Many families and rail buffs flocked to the platform at Niitsu Station here shortly before the steam locomotive train Banetsu Monogatari's scheduled departure time at 10:03 a.m.

"I definitely want to take the train this year," said Kanae Ishiyama, 31, who lives nearby. She brought her two young children to see off the steam locomotive.

The SL Banetsu Monogatari steam locomotive started regular service on April 9, running a daily round trip between Niitsu Station and Aizu-Wakamatsu Station in Fukushima Prefecture on the JR Banetsu-sai Line, mainly on the weekends.

East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) received a lot of inquiries from fans who were worried the locomotive would be put out of service as it incurred a delay due to a vehicle malfunction last year.  

However, "it will keep running just as powerful as ever," said Chiharu Matsuda, stationmaster at Niitsu Station.

The excursion service will operate for a shorter period than usual as it is scheduled for a large-scale inspection in fall.

A C57-180 steam locomotive nicknamed "Kifujin" (noble lady) pulls the seven-car train.

Built in 1946, the steam locomotive had been preserved at an elementary school near Niitsu Station after its service ended in 1969.

To cater to mounting calls for the service to resume, JR East spent about 200 million yen ($1.6 million) to restore the steam train and started regular service as a sightseeing train in 1999.

The major inspection is scheduled from fall this year to summer next year.

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