Tank terminal on the Chichibu

[Nick_Burman]

Hi all,

 

While watching a DVD (actually a copy of an old LD disc converted to DVD...so that just about sets the vintage of the recording) about the Paleo Express, I noticed that at the time (must have been some time in the 1980's) one of the stations on the Chichibu Railway had a small rail-connected oil terminal. It had space for 3-4 tank cars on the "rack", plus another 3 to 4 cars outside waiting to be rotated. I've already "ridden" the Chichibu on Google Earth a few times and so far have not found trace of this terminal. Any idea where it was? Any pics of the trains which served it?

 

Cheers NB

[bikkuri bahn]

Sketchy info there.  Was the location in a city (Kumagaya) or was it more in the mountains?  Chichibu Rlwy once had these:

http://www25.big.or.jp/~t_fukuda/meiban-1/31-chichibu.htm

[Nick_Burman]

BB, it was somewhere out in the plains and not particularly big as far as I remember. I'll have to watch the DVD again to be sure about it.

 

What service were these tank cars employed in? The page says fuel oil, was this for the cement mills or for general customers?

 

Cheers NB

[bikkuri bahn]

They are former bunker c tank cars converted to haul diesel fuel and kerosene.  That may give a hint at the type of customers served.  I surmise these relatively small shipments were replaced by truck haulage.

[westfalen]

I had a look at the video I took in 1990, it was on the north side of the line at the western end of Takekawa station. It appears it was still in operation at that time as there were six tank cars in the siding.

 

On Google Earth it was where the large paved area is between the level crossing and the building with the blue roof.

[Nick_Burman]

I had a look at the video I took in 1990, it was on the north side of the line at the western end of Takekawa station. It appears it was still in operation at that time as there were six tank cars in the siding.

 

On Google Earth it was where the large paved area is between the level crossing and the building with the blue roof.

 

Thanks Alvin, you hit it right on the spot. According to the page BB furnished the service came "off" in 1991. Does anyone know where the loads originated...somewhere Tsurumi way?

 

From your video, could you say that the tank cars were all of the same kind (TaKi 9900) or were there other models? I'm asking because since I have a "spare" Chichibu electric and already own a tank car, I might might set up a short (6 car) tank train for this loco.

 

Cheers NB

[westfalen]

Here's my video. I counted wrong, there are five cars in the siding not six but they are a variety of different types.

 

[bikkuri bahn]

Thanks for the video clip, westfalen. 

 

On Google Earth it was where the large paved area is between the level crossing and the building with the blue roof.

 

Yes, that blue roofed building houses Toyozoki, a company that manufactures and repairs electrical equipment for rolling stock, with JR companies being the main customers. I suppose the empty lot is too contaminated for anything to be built on it, probably can only be used as a parking lot.

 

Toyozoki website:

http://www.kumatetsu.jp/t2/t2.htm

[bikkuri bahn]

To add:

Takekawa Station is the junction between the Chichibu Main Line and the Mikajiri Freight Branch.  The branch serves as a connection with the JR Takasaki Line and specifically the Kumagaya Freight Terminal.  All freight trains off JR bound for the Chichibu Line use this connection.  Also, new rolling stock deliveries bound for Tobu Lines (the Tojo Line as well as the Main Line) utilize this branch as well as the Chichibu Line.

 

Tobu 50090 series at Takekawa Station, on their way to being delivered to the Tobu Tojo Line interchange at Yorii:

 

Footage of the Mikajiri Line itself, "cement takis":