Narrow gauge to Asakura

[Nick_Burman]

Although 762mm was Japan's narrow gauge of choice by a large margin, it also had quite a quantity of lines built to 914mm (3' or 36") gauge. Most of these lines were horsecar affairs, although a few lines were built or were later converted to mechanical traction. Most lines of this gauge were located in Kyushu although there were some exceptions, like the very long lived Saidaiji Railway in Okayama and the horsecar lines which after regauging and electrification later became Hokutetsu's Kanan network. In Kyushu most of these 3' gauge lines were located in the area between Kitakyushu and Omuta, where there was a large network serving towns and villages in the region. Again, most of these lines were horse-powered although some converted to mechanical traction, usually by skipping a phase and going directly from horse to gasoline or diesel railcars (one line, the Nanchiku Tramway, "mechanized" itself using a very early diesel locomotive powered by a one-cylinder "hot bulb" engine - this particular locomotive is a firm favorite among Japanese narrow-gauge modellers). A few were steam-powered right from the beginning, using the usual Krauss or O&K (maybe some early Japanese-built locos from the likes of Amenomiya too) so dear to keiben promoters. One of these lines was the Asakura Tramway, running from Futsukaichi on the JNR's Kagoshima Main Line (and Nishitetsu's Omuta line) SE through Amagi to the town/village of Haki (its the red line on the map). Not only it ran steam but it had it's share of home-grown railcars too.

 

The line closed in 1939, probably a victim of the Depression and increasing motorization. By area standards it was very long-lived.

 

Images and map culled from Wikipedia.

[marknewton]

Now that's different. I love the matchboard-bodied streamliner!

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

[bill937ca]

Now that's different. I love the matchboard-bodied streamliner!

 

 

It looks like a small 30s bus.