SL Banetsu Monogatari

A rapid train for tourists connects between Niitsu Station (in Niigata Prefecture) and Aizu-Wakamatsu station (in Fukushima Prefecture) on the Banetsu West Line operated by JR East.

The locomotive type is C57-180. This locomotive is nicknamed due to its graceful appearance “the noble lady". Once retired in 1969, the locomotive was preserved in Niitsu city elementary school receiving careful protections covered with roof and regular cleanings twice a year, which resulted in keeping a good condition and promoted marvelous revival 30 years later in 1999. The train greatly tows seven-passenger cars by excellent maintenance.

The train is on round trip service a day on mainly weekends and national holidays between April and November. Both the ticket and reservation ticket are required. The steam-breathing locomotive goes along the Agano river through greenery mountains. The 4th car is a panoramic car for observation so you will enjoy viewing attractive great nature. The 1st car is the Okojo Observation Car. The car is pretty for family passengers, a tree grows upright at the center of the room.

A one-way trip takes over 3 hours long and the train stops at Tsugawa station (Niigata prefecture) and Yamato station (Fukushima station) taking a long time for inspection and water supply. It is time for taking some pictures with the locomotive.