In gmat's thread about railway-themed bars and cafes in Tokyo (http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/7044-jt-article-about-train-themed-bars-and-cafes-in-tokyo/) I mentioned the Japan Railfan Club. Is anyone here a member? The club will be 60 years old at the end of this year, they have about 3300 members, and many organizations provide support including the JR Group companies. They award the Blue Ribbon and Laurel prizes for rolling stock, and the Shima Hideo Prize for railway-related literature (Shima was the man behind lots of things you've heard of including the shinkansen and the D51).
Japanese: http://www.jrc.gr.jp/
English: http://www.jrc.gr.jp/e/