Travelled 25.04.2015 (Sat)
Revamped. Clocked my second and third steam locomotive train ride here in Yamaguchi Prefecture - the first was SL Hitoyoshi in Kyushu. SL Yamaguchi was my favourite sightseeing themed train for the entire trip in Chugoku region. This train travels along Yamaguchi line 山口線 between Shin-Yamaguchi 新山口駅 and Tsuwano 津和野駅 and only operates on weekends and public holidays. The train makes one round trip on its day of operation between Shin Yamaguchi and Tsuwano, located in Shimane Prefecture. Despite this long overdue post, this train is still in operation now. However, there has been some touch up done to the interior of the carriages in 2017, which explains for the difference in the pictures seen in my blog entry. The renewed version still has a total of five train carriages and the retro interior are replicates of train cabins dating all the way back to early Showa era (1926 - 1989). A ride on board SL Yamaguchi ferries passengers through a tunnel of memory, accompanied by the chugging sounds and occasional nostalgic whistling sounds released from the chimney of the steam engine.
======
Highlights:
Train schedule correct as of
9 Aug 2018:
- SL Yamaguchi 1: Shin Yamaguchi (1050 hrs) > Tsuwano (1259 hrs)
- SL Yamaguchi 2: Tsuwano (1545 hrs) > Shin Yamaguchi (1730 hrs)
 |
| Sights of Shin Yamaguchi JR Station. |
Shin Yamaguchi JR Station 新山口駅. For my trip, I took SL Yamaguchi from Shin Yamaguchi and alighted at the terminus station at Tsuwano. Embarked on a short day trip in Tsuwano-cho before hopping back onto the return SL Yamaguchi train bound for Shin Yamaguchi and alighted at Yuda Onsen. Shin Yamaguchi JR Station is served by Sanyo Shinkansen (山陽新幹線) and terminus station of Yamaguchi line (山口線) and Ube line (宇部線). The train station was originally called Ogori JR Station (小郡駅) when it was first operational in 1900. Its re-name to Shin Yamaguchi was actually quite recent in 2003 and this came about after it became one of the major train stations that serves Nozomi, the fastest speed Shinkansen commuting between Tokyo and Hakata.
Previous version. In the previous version of SL Yamaguchi, there are a total of five train carriages each showcasing a different type/era of retro train cabin. We were assigned seats in the European themed passenger car in which the luxurious interior took reference from the legendary Orient Express of the 1880s. A strong European flair could be experienced within this train carriage - blue cushioned seats with tall back rest, decorated with stained glass on its top portion, classic baroque style lamps and overhead luggage racks, patterned curtains and wallpaper, and maroon carpeted flooring.
Best spot. Being an avid train fan, staying put on my seat throughout such sightseeing/themed train rides is a ‘torture’ to me. After settling down my parents on our designated seats, I immediately leapt to explore other sections of SL Yamaguchi. One of my favourite spot to hang out in this train is the observation deck located at its rear. In my opinion, train view is at its best here as passengers get to see an unobstructed trailing view of railway tracks and bridges that the train chugged through and a continuous plumb of black smoke trail left behind by the steam locomotive.
 |
| Top right: European style cabin; Top left: Meiji era cabin; Bottom left: Taisho era cabin; Bottom right: Showa era cabin. |
Time travel. SL Yamaguchi is a time travel machine which transcends passengers to different eras of Japan history. In the previous version of this train, apart from replicating train cabins residing during the Showa 昭和 period, passengers get to experience how train rides were during the Meiji 明治 (1868 - 1912) and Taisho 大正 (1912 - 1926) periods too. I felt that the opportunity to see/experience the transformation of train carriages from one era to another is rather valuable and educational for the younger generation.
 |
| Brief stop at Jifuku JR Station. |
 |
| Train operators working hard to ensure the steam locomotive runs smoothly. I suppose for the younger batch of train operators, being able to handle/operate an antique train today comes as a rare chance as well. |
Jifuku JR Station 地福駅. For the train heading northwards from Shin Yamaguchi, a brief stop is made at Jifuku Station. Here, most passengers will get down from the carriages and flock to the steam locomotive for picture taking. This is also the best time to observe how steam locomotive is operated/fueled in the good old days - the labour intensive method of shoveling coal into the furnace by the train operator. As direct translation of "jifuku" means the land/place of prosperity/fortune, the auspicious name of this unmanned train station has lured many enthusiastic train fans and locals here.
 |
| Enjoyed my exclusive SL Yamaguchi-go bento while on board the train! |
Website:
http://www.c571.jp/
=======
Commemorative stamp:
 |
| Shin Yamaguchi JR Station |
 |
| SL Yamaguchi |
No comments:
Post a Comment