Inpaku
Yamano line

Welcome to Kyushu

Kyushu Island is located in the southern part of the Japanese Islands.
Because of the warm climate, not only the people here, but also the locomotives, look rather relaxed to me.

At the foot of Mt. Aso

Takamori line (Oct, 1972) C12.

Mt. Aso is an active volcano, which is distinguished by having a smaller crater nested within a larger one.When you say Mt. Aso, it can mean either the inner, active volcanic crater itself, or more it may refer in a more general sense, to the whole group of mountains in the region surrounding the larger crater. It is located in the northeastern part of Kumamoto Prefecture, which is in the center of Kyushu island. Among the famous peaks of Mt Aso are: "Takadake," the highest peak (1,592m/4800ft), and "Nakadake," which is the biggest smoke-emitting crater in Japan. Mt Aso is well known as one of the biggest "caldera" type volcanoes in the world.

Get your fill of coal and water; then DO YOUR BEST for one more day today.

Tagawa line (Jan, 1970) C11+9600

The refueling area of the yards is busy, early in the morning. The coal cars are loaded, water tanks are filled, sand reservoirs are topped off ... and when everything has been double-checked, away goes the engine. Ready to perform its duty on the main line.

All Lined Up

Kagoshima main line (Aug, 1972)

To find so many steam locomotives gathered together like this was a rare pleasure even in those days. I think they are smiling.

B20-10

Kagoshima main line (Aug, 1972) B20

The B20 type was manufactured after World War II. There were shortages of almost everything, especially the materials to build good trains. The B20 type got its name first, from the two sets of driving wheels, and second, its total weight of 20 tons. It had a nameplate that was made of plywood.

Do Your Best

Chikuhou main line (Jan, 1970) D60

Northern Kyushu is a very cold place sometimes, even though Kyushu is located in the southern part of the Japanese Islands. This snapshot was taken during a snowstorm. If you love trains you don't mind a little snow and cold. The trains keep you warm.

PhotoFYoshihiko Kawaguchi

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