When it comes to classic trains, the Japanese National Railways D51 Steam Locomotive is a train many people will visit during their travels to Kyoto.
Located near Kyoto’s Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is a D51 51 (Slug Type) steam locomotive at 19th Century Hall next door to Saga-Arashiyama Station. Unfortunately, due to the aging of the train, it was closed to the public on December 29, 2019 and removed. Prior to it being at 19th entury Hall, it was located at a mall in Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture from 1972-2004.
It’s important to note that people can still see surviving trains stationed at various locations, with the oldest, the D51 6 being located in Hokkaido at Kamuikotan Kotan Park. The JR East D51 11 at Noshi Park in Sapporo City, D51 47 at Minami Park, Hokkaido and many more scattered throughout Japan.
For me, the main D51 that I saw and touched was the D51 51.
The D51 type steam locomotive (D51 Gatajoki Kikansha) is a twin-cylinder superheated tender steam locomotive designed and manufactured by the Ministry of Railways, the predecessor of Japanese National Railways (JNR).
The D51 was utilized for transporting freight and would feature a straight boiler with a wide fire chamber structure without a combustion chamber.
The train had modifications done depending on the regions to support hot or cold weather.
But if anything, if you ever have the chance to check out a D51 steam locomotive in Japan, please do so!
