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.
Gunma DC Opening and Double SL Gunma (only in operation on April 4th)
Stops
Gunma DC Opening
Double SL Gunma
Takasaki
9:56 (dep.)
17:13 (arr.)
Shim-Maebashi
10:14 (dep.)
16:55 (arr.)
Shibukawa
10:34 (arr.) 10:55 (dep.)
16:35 (dep.) 16:21 (arr.)
Numata
11:24 (arr.)
15:52 (dep.)
Gokan
11:43 (arr.)
15:39 (dep.)
Minakami
12:03 (arr.)
15:20 (dep.)
Stops
Gunma DC Opening
Double SL Gunma
* The above information is current as of January 24, 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 March)
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
SL Gunma Yokokawa (from April onwards)
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
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
Saitama x Gunma (only in operation on April 5th)
Stops
Saitama x Gunma
EL Gunma Yokokawa
Kumagaya
11:42 (dep.)
Fukaya
11:55 (dep.)
Honjō
12:06 (dep.)
Takasaki
12:25 (arr.) 12:50 (dep.)
16:18 (arr.)
Annaka
13:07 (arr.) 13:15 (dep.)
15:59 (dep.) 15:51 (arr.)
Isobe
13:28 (arr.) 13:29 (dep.)
15:36 (dep.) 15:35 (arr.)
Yokokawa
13:50 (arr.)
15:15 (dep.)
Stops
Saitama x Gunma
EL Gunma Yokokawa
* The above information is current as of January 24, 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
Days marked with colored circles indicate the days this train service is in operation.
If you click on a date the train is in operation, you can search for empty seats and make a ticket reservation. * You need to have registered with JR-EAST Train Reservation.
This train service is in operation on the following days in April 2020.
▍SL Gunma Minakami 11th, 19th, 29th ▍SL Gunma Yokokawa 12th, 18th, 25th* * In operation on the 4th as Gunma DC Opening on the outbound journey and as Double SL Gunma on the inbound journey. Please note that the timetable is different. * In operation as Saitama x Gunma on the outbound journey on the 5th, when it will depart for Yokokawa from Kumagaya. Please note that the timetable is different. * In operation as SL YOGISHA Yokokawa on the 25th. Please note that the timetable is different.
May 2020 Calendar
Sun.
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thu.
Fri.
Sat.
1
6
7
8
11
12
13
14
15
16
18
19
20
21
22
24
25
26
27
28
29
This train service is in operation on the following days in May 2020.
This train service is in operation on the following days in June 2020.
▍SL Gunma Minakami 6th, 14th, 20th* ▍SL Gunma Yokokawa 7th, 13th * In operation as SL YOGISHA Minakami on the 20th. Please note that the timetable is different.
July 2020 Calendar
Sun.
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thu.
Fri.
Sat.
1
2
3
5
6
7
8
9
10
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
24
26
27
28
29
30
31
This train service is in operation on the following days in July 2020.
▍SL Gunma Minakami 4th, 23rd ▍SL Gunma Yokokawa 11th, 25th * In operation as SL YOGISHA Minakami on the 4th. Please note that the timetable is different. * In operation as SL YOGISHA Yokokawa on the 25th. Please note that the timetable is different.
August 2020 Calendar
Sun.
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thu.
Fri.
Sat.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
31
This train service is in operation on the following days in August 2020.
Days marked with colored circles indicate the days this train service is in operation.
