Service interval: Joetsu Line, Shinetsu Main Line, other
The SL Gunma Minakami and the SL Gunma Yokokawa are powerful trains that travel through the wild country of Gunma thanks to the D51 498 and the C61 20 steam locomotives.
The D51 498 was originally used for pulling freight cars, and the C61 20 was built as a locomotive for pulling passenger cars. Because they were designed for different purposes, the drive wheels are different in size and number.
The D51 498 has four smaller drive wheel axles, and the C61 20 has three larger wheel axles. When the drive wheels are small, the train gains in ability to handle hills, and when the drive wheels are large, the ride is more comfortable with less vibration. When you ride the trains, you will probably be able to tell the difference. Try them both out and compare.
*Online seat reservation will be available from Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 beginning at 5:30AM (JST)
The cab, also known as the driver's compartment, is equipped with a number of control devices. Operation of a steam locomotive requires an engineer and two assistants. Operating a steam locomotive requires a variety of skills to handle weather conditions, rail grade, the load being pulled, quirks in the individual locomotive and team coordination.
The structure of the C61 steam locomotive
The C61 cab
The cab, also known as the driver's compartment, is equipped with a number of control devices. Operation of a steam locomotive requires an engineer and two assistants. A variety of skills are also needed to handle weather conditions, rail grade, the load being pulled, quirks in the individual locomotive and team coordination.
* The above information is current as of July 2020.
* The stops and times may be subject to change.
* Reserved seats are available from 10:00 one month before the departure date at the ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) of key stations.
* There may be changes to the locomotive and passenger cars in operation.
SL Gunma Yokokawa (up until September 26th)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
Takasaki
9:47 (dep.)
16:18 (arr.)
Annaka
10:04 (arr.) 10:12 (dep.)
15:59 (dep.) 15:51 (arr.)
Isobe
10:25 (arr.) 10:26 (dep.)
15:36 (dep.) 15:35 (arr.)
Yokokawa
10:49 (arr.)
15:15 (dep.)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
* The above information is current as of July 2020.
* The stops and times may be subject to change.
* Reserved seats are available from 10:00 one month before the departure date at the ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) of key stations.
* There may be changes to the locomotive and passenger cars in operation.
SL Gunma Yokokawa (from October 11th)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
Takasaki
9:47 (dep.)
15:18 (arr.)
Annaka
10:04 (arr.) 10:12 (dep.)
14:59 (dep.) 14:51 (arr.)
Isobe
10:25 (arr.) 10:26 (dep.)
14:36 (dep.) 14:35 (arr.)
Yokokawa
10:49 (arr.)
14:15 (dep.)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
* The above information is current as of July 2020.
* The stops and times may be subject to change.
* Reserved seats are available from 10:00 one month before the departure date at the ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) of key stations.
* There may be changes to the locomotive and passenger cars in operation.
SL YOGISHA Yokokawa
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
Takasaki
17:38 (dep.)
20:43 (arr.)
Annaka
17:55 (arr.) 18:03 (dep.)
20:24 (dep.) 20:16 (arr.)
Isobe
18:16 (arr.) 18:17 (dep.)
20:01 (dep.) 20:00 (arr.)
Yokokawa
18:40 (arr.)
19:40 (dep.)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
* The above information is current as of July 2020.
* The stops and times may be subject to change.
* Reserved seats are available from 10:00 one month before the departure date at the ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) of key stations.
* There may be changes to the locomotive and passenger cars in operation.
Calendar
Click on a date the train is in operation to search for empty seats and make a ticket reservation. * You need to be registered with JR-EAST Train Reservation.
This train is in service on the following days in October 2020.
▍SL Gunma Minakami 3rd, 4th, 10th, 17th, 25th ▍SL Gunma Yokokawa 11th, 18th, 24th, 28th, 31st * In operation as DL/SL Gunma Kenmin-no-Hi on the 28th. * In operation as EL/SL YOGISHA Yokokawa on the 31st. Please note that the timetable is different.
November 2020 Calendar
Sun.
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thu.
Fri.
Sat.
1
2
4
5
6
9
10
11
12
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16
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18
19
20
23
24
25
26
27
30
This train is in service on the following days in November 2020.
This train is in service on the following days in December 2020.
▍SL Gunma Minakami Not in operation. ▍SL Gunma Yokokawa 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 26th to 28th * In operation as SL/EL YOGISHA Yokokawa on the 19th. Please note that the timetable is different.
January 2021 Calendar
Sun.
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thu.
Fri.
Sat.
1
3
4
5
6
7
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11
12
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14
15
17
18
19
20
21
22
24
25
26
27
28
29
31
This train service is in operation on the following days in January 2021.
▍SL Gunma Minakami Not in operation. ▍SL Gunma Yokokawa 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
February 2021 Calendar
Sun.
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thu.
Fri.
Sat.
1
2
3
4
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
15
16
17
18
19
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
This train service is in operation on the following days in February 2021.
▍SL Gunma Minakami Not in operation. ▍SL Gunma Yokokawa 6th, 14th, 20th
* The above information is current as of July 2020.
* Service dates may be subject to change.
How to purchase
Tickets for the D51 498 are not available for sale outside of Japan. There are multiple ways to purchase tickets as follows.
indicate the days this train service is in operation.