Photo/Illutration A D51 steam locomotive goes for a test run in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture, on Sept. 7, 2023, with black smoke drifting in its wake. (Koshin Mukai)

HIROSHIMA--The steam-powered SL Yamaguchi sightseeing train will resume operation during Golden Week after a two-year hiatus, West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) announced.

Pulled by a D51 steam locomotive, the excursion service will travel from Shin-Yamaguchi Station in Yamaguchi to Tsuwano Station in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture, and back again once a day from May 3 to May 5.

“There is a nationwide trend of retiring steam locomotives,” said Ushio Kurahara, chief of JR West’s Chugoku Regional Head Office, during a news conference held here on April 10.

“We think fans and local residents will be happy to see (the SL Yamaguchi) making a long-awaited comeback” Kurahara said.

The SL Yamaguchi had been pulled by C57 and D51 steam locomotives for many years.

But in 2020, the C57, nicknamed “Kifujin” (noble lady), suspended operation due to malfunctioning parts. The D51 was also taken out of service on May 3, 2022, after cracks were found in its coal car.

With both steam trains out of commission, DD51 and DE10 diesel locomotives took over service along the sightseeing route.

Repair work was completed on the D51 and it was dispatched for a test run last summer. JR West conducted an inspection on the steamer and concluded that it was ready to resume service.

In addition to operating during Golden Week, the SL Yamaguchi sightseeing train will run mainly on weekends, holidays and substitute holidays until November, except in June.

The outbound service will leave Shin-Yamaguchi Station at 10:54 a.m. and arrive at Tsuwano Station at 1:07 p.m. The inbound service will leave Tsuwano Station at 4:12 p.m. and arrive at Shin-Yamaguchi Station at 6 p.m.

Tickets for May 3 through 19 will be sold from 6 a.m. on April 22, while tickets for and after May 25 will be available at 10 a.m. one month prior to the boarding date.

Tickets can be purchased through JR West’s e5489 reservation website, and at ticket offices and machines at major JR West stations.

Reserved seats are priced at 1,680 yen ($10.90), while premium Green Car seats cost 2,500 yen.

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