C61 20 crew takes a bow

[miyakoji]

ianlaw's post in the C58 239 thread reminded me of this video by karibajct of JR East's Uchibo Line 100 year anniversary run using C61 20 and 7 passenger cars.  The scene at the end with dozens of JR East personnel including the locomotive crew is fantastic.  In that thread I mentioned that I think they're SUHA32 series cars, but I continually see them referred to simply as "old style passenger cars" (旧型客車, kyuugata kyakusha).  Maybe that's because the consist is mixed, and in the second video below, YT contributor jeaen documents the type and number of each car in the train!  Although there may be another reason, perhaps someone else can clarify.  I was wondering if maybe the cars are reconstructions or modifications of more recent cars meant to look like older cars, but I think they're authentic.  From the Kisarazu direction, the consist is OHANI 36 11, OHA 47 2246, OHA 47 2261, SUHAFU 42 2234, SUHAFU 42 2173, OHA 47 2266, and SUHAFU 32 2357.

 

karibajct's video:

 

jeaen's video:

[200系]

Miyakoji,

 

From the information I could find, I think I can say, that they are real JNR passenger cars as opposed to reconstructions/modifications.

32-2357 is a prewar coach from the スハ32系 (SuHa32), the rest are part of the スハ43系 (SuHa43).

 

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9B%BD%E9%89%84%E3%82%B9%E3%83%8F32%E7%B3%BB%E5%AE%A2%E8%BB%8A

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9B%BD%E9%89%84%E3%82%B9%E3%83%8F43%E7%B3%BB%E5%AE%A2%E8%BB%8A#.E3.82.B9.E3.83.AD.E3.83.8D30.E5.BD.A2

 

Thanks for the clips! While SL isn't one of my 'core' interest in Japanese railways (I do have an interest in some of the classes though), it is always nice to see, as well as to learn something new about Japanese/JNR railway history.

[westfalen]

They seem rightfully proud of their steed.

 

I've always thought those coaches looked better than the modern cars dressed up with fake clerestory roofs and gaudy paint schemes that follow some Japanese steam locos around. I've always liked the Oigawa's steam trains because of their authentic look.

[bikkuri bahn]

I agree that the restored coaches look better than any faux antique coaches "dolled-up" using more modern stock.  But the casual leisure market also demands airconditioning, nice toilets, and other creature comforts that a lovingly restored oha 61 can't offer.

[keitaro]

meh the trains in nsw here just have fans and lighting and a quite old toilet on the sl's.

 

I don't mind, I think that the railways companies think that it "has" to be luxurious and therefore add this unnecessary stuff.

Imean you can get on plenty of old kihas with just a fan why does a steam train twice it's age have a/c?

 

Frankly if you don't want to open the window and get a face full of soot you really shouldn't be on the train  :laugh:

[ianlaw]

I think I shot this consist last year on the Oigawa Railway. It was the only authentic consist I saw behind a steam loco in Japan.

[westfalen]

meh the trains in nsw here just have fans and lighting and a quite old toilet on the sl's.

 

I don't mind, I think that the railways companies think that it "has" to be luxurious and therefore add this unnecessary stuff.

Imean you can get on plenty of old kihas with just a fan why does a steam train twice it's age have a/c?

 

Frankly if you don't want to open the window and get a face full of soot you really shouldn't be on the train   :laugh:

I totally agree with that last sentence. I remember the ARE USA tour in 1991 when we went on a Norfolk Southern steam trip behind their N&W A class, we were in the cheap seats in a non/AC coach with opening windows with just a baggage car and crew car between us and the loco, after 21 years I still haven't figured out what the passengers in the first class aircon coaches twenty or so cars back got out of the trip, the scenery across Ohio wasn't that spectacular, they may as well just been parked in a yard for the two days.

 

When I'm in authentic older coaches behind steam in Japan (or anywhere else for that matter) like on the Oigawa I can't help wondering what those coaches have seen over the years, from young men off to war or coming home again to families going to visit relatives at the other end of the country. You don't get that in a modern car.

[marknewton]

Miyakoji, the cars are the real thing - there an article detailing them in the October 2010 issue of Japan Railfan Magzine. While thay are authentic steam-era cars, they have had a number of modifications made to make them suitable for use in 2012.

 

The cars have all been fitted with modern retention toilets, remotely-operated electric locks on the passenger doors under control of the guard/conductor, PA, train radio/GPS (in Ohani 36 11), shore power receptacles, modern batteries, and jumper cable receptacles. As you would expect, all of these additions have been made in a very discrete manner, so as not to detract from their steam-era appearance.

 

What I found particularly interesting is that the cars have retained their axle-driven generators, and their steam-heating equipment, which is operational. C61 20 retains it steam-heating gear, so a ride in winter would be a very nostalgic experience.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

[c631]

Although, a consist of "kyukyaku" (classic steam era passenger coaches) beats out the sleek, often A/C equipped modern alternative in use on JRW, JRK, Chichibu Line and JRE's BANETSU MONOGATARI, etc.,etc.; the biggest attraction (to me & fellow fans who were so lucky to experience the last regular JNR steam passenger operations) seems gone forever in these overcrowded, safety-conscious times:

 

standing or sitting in the vestibule (correct term?) at either end of ea. coach w. the inward opening manual doors WIDE OPEN & latched in that position (so they didn't bang around) ---enjoying the pure thrill of scenery, steam & smoke passing by w/o any physical barrier whatsoever or the distracting sounds of passengers in their seats in the passenger compartment...

 

During steam`s final summer on Hokkaido's Muroran Line (last to have reg. steam passenger operations [ended 14/12/1975]), most conductors even turned a blind eye on their rounds unless one were hanging out the open door or attempting other outright reckless maneuvres (like the high school boys who loved to swing from coach-to-coach via the door on one coach to that on the next ON THE OUTSIDE at speeds approaching 90km/h behind a C57 "Pacific" going full throttle w. 6 - 10 cars on this flat, comparatively curve-free line...

 

Those were the days...