Steam Trains in Japan – Chichibu’s “SL Paleo Express”

Steam Trains near Tokyo – Chichibu

Less than 2 hours from Tokyo, Chichibu Railway in Saitama prefecture operates the steam train the “SL Paleo Express”. It is a great way to see the Chichibu area.

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A 57km steam hauled train journey…The SL Paleo Express

Japan does not have many heritage railways such as those you find in the UK and other countries, but it does have some lines operating old rolling stock and also a number of places where Steam Locomotive hauled trains run on regular lines at weekends and holidays.

The SL Paleo Express runs between Kumagaya and Mitsumineguchi in Saitama Prefecture, a distance of nearly 57km taking 1 1/2 hours. The locomotive is a 1938 C58 series C58-363.

The SL Paleo Express started running in 1988 and runs most weekends from spring thru Autumn and at other times, including some weekdays during the Summer and Autumn periods.

For more information on the SL Paleo Express see Chichibu Railway’s website click here

SL Paleo Express Videos & Picture Gallery

Chichibu Railway – a freight and passenger railway

Chichibu Railway is a private railway and is one of the few private passenger ~ freight railways. Its two lines are electrified (1500V DC). The freight it carries is mostly limestone that is quarried from Mount Buko. Passengers trains run from Hanno (connects to Tobu Isesaki Line) via Kumagaya (JR Takasaki Line), Yorii (JR Hachiko and Tobu Tojo line), Ohanabatake (Seibu Chichibu Line) and Mitsumineguchi. A length of 71km. Freight trains run between Kagemori on the Chichibu main Line and Mikajiri via Takekawa on the Mikajiri (freight) Line.