JR West Sankō Line Inspection Train

[Sacto1985]

YouTube user nimo5 just posted a fairly long video of an inspection train on the JR West Sankō Line on August 11, 2013 using two KiHa 120's coupled together, running at very low speeds:

 

 

The reason why this was was because torrential rains on the night of July 31-August 1, 2013 caused several washouts along the Sankō Line, and this inspection train made sure the repairs were done properly and ATS sensors worked properly. Satisfied with the inspection, the Sankō Line will fully open back to revenue service starting August 12, 2013.

 

nimo5 also posted a video of the immediate aftermath of the rainstorm and the (then) ongoing repairs:

 

Edited August 11, 2013 by Sacto1985

[miyakoji]

Good post.  I don't think I've seen the 'test run' destination board on the KIHA120 before.

 

The music at the beginning of the second video is also used as the theme for NHK's Shin-Nihon Kikou.  Here's a link:

 

http://www.nhk.or.jp/archives/kikou/music/index.html

 

I love this tune.  The lyrics are:

 

inishie ikizuku     toki no michi de

kawariyukumono     kawaranumono

tadori     megurite     futatabi deau

omokage wo     ko no kokoro ni

 

 

I will not attempt a translation .  Perhaps some of the other forum members would like to try...