dd51's on the Kansai Main Line (mountain route)

[bikkuri bahn]

Another video from yocchel, with lots of dd51 action pulling mixed freight, passenger, and parcels over the mountainous portion of the Kansai Main Line.  Back in JNR days this was a much more active line than now, which only sees railbuses.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKl5DfWLBIk

[Nick_Burman]

BB,

 

Is the Kansai Main Line that steep to require double-heading or pushing even on short freights (or were the trains carrying lead concentrate? )? Or is it the DD51's apparent weakness showing up again?

 

Cheers NB

[bikkuri bahn]

Nick, there were some grades on this line that required double heading also in the steam days.  The Kabuto Goe grade is 2.5%, and required a d51 hauled freight above a certain tonnage to have a pusher.  The following films show you the operations as they were before the dd51's completely took over.  It appears that in both, the Kabuto Goe grade is the last clip shown (the second one I think also shows it at about 3:30). You can also see the switchback at Nakazaike signalbox at 8:22 in the second video.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ2c_1OuLec

Edited July 24, 2013 by bikkuri bahn

[Nick_Burman]

BB,

 

Thanks, nice footage. They could have done with an articulated loco there... One can understand why they routed tonnage away from the Kansai line.

 

Cheers NB