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.
Regular stops
Route & Timetables
SL Gunma Minakami
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
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
Outbound
Inbound
* The above information is current as of January 2021.
* 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.
Chikara Awaseru Gunma (April 3rd)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound(SL Gunma Minakami)
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
Outbound
Inbound(SL Gunma Minakami)
* The above information is current as of January 2021.
* 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 Minakami (June 26th)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
Takasaki
16:50 (dep.)
22:38 (arr.)
Shim-Maebashi
17:08 (dep.)
22:25 (arr.)
Shibukawa
17:30 (arr.)
17:41 (dep.)
22:05 (dep.)
21:44 (arr.)
Numata
18:10 (arr.)
21:16 (dep.)
Gokan
18:31 (arr.)
21:00 (dep.)
Minakami
18:52 (arr.)
20:41 (dep.)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
* The above information is current as of January 2021.
* 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
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 January 2021.
* 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 (April 29th)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
Takasaki
9:47 (dep.)
14:18 (arr.)
Annaka
10:04 (arr.)
10:12 (dep.)
13:59 (dep.)
13:51 (arr.)
Isobe
10:25 (arr.)
10:26 (dep.)
13:36 (dep.)
13:35 (arr.)
Yokokawa
10:49 (arr.)
13:15 (dep.)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
* The above information is current as of January 2021.
* 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 Yokokawa Night Park (May 15th)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
Takasaki
15:56 (dep.)
20:43 (arr.)
Annaka
16:13 (arr.)
16:21 (dep.)
20:24 (dep.)
20:16 (arr.)
Isobe
16:34 (arr.)
16:35 (dep.)
20:01 (dep.)
20:00 (arr.)
Yokokawa
16:58 (arr.)
19:40 (dep.)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
* The above information is current as of January 2021.
* 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.
indicate the days this train service is in operation.