This lovely train used to be in operation in rural Japan, running through peaceful farming communities and providing vital transport links for the residents to go about their business. But as with so many local railways in Japan, and indeed across the world, the 22km line this train served became less and less vital over time as road transportation became ever more dominant. In 1985, the majority of the line closed, with just a small section clinging on. But even that last section couldn't survive. The so-called "last run" happened in October 1999, video footage of which shows some passengers climbing in through the windows of the train in an attempt to be on the very last service.
This train, though, wasn't needed for the passengers on the remaining section of the railway. In 1985, instead of being scrapped however, it found a secondary new purpose and became an exhibit at a local history museum. But only for around 15 years. The museum also couldn't survive, with the last visitors being some time around the year 2000.
And so for almost 25 years now, this train has been left as it is.
No railway passengers. No museum visitors. Just an old man nearby tending to his vegetable plot.
I visited the train in April 2024 with good friend Tokyo Times. We visited in the late afternoon with rain falling and then again the following morning with the sun shining. Here's what we found.
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