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 June 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
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 June 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 June 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.
Days marked with colored circles indicate the days this train service is in operation.
