Tenryu-Hamanako Railway is a local company in Shizuoka Prefecture west of Tokyo. The company has been operating the Tenryu-Hamanoko line since 1986 when they took over the Futamara line of Japanese National Railways. Connecting Kakegawa and Shinjohara on the JR Central Tokaido main line, its route length is 67.7 kilometers. The track is single and non-electrified, and the gauge size is 1,067 millimeters. The Tenryu-Hamanako line functions as a northbound detour route of the Tokaido main line. A lovely diesel railcar is operated every half an hour on average.
The main fleet on the line is the diesel railcar, TH2100 series. It has an 18 meter-long steel body and a diesel engine, which was manufactured by Cummins Inc., with a 257 kW/2,000 rpm output. The transmission system is hydraulic. There are two groups of the TH2100 series. The first batch was launched in 2001 under the name of the TH2000 series. A total of 3 units were built by Niigata Tekkosho (presently Niigata Transys). In 2003, the security brake system of these 3 units was modified and they were renamed as the TH2100 series. The second batch was introduced as brand-new cars in 2004. A total of 11 units were built by Niigata Transys using the new security brake system.
To see the TH2100 series, my recommended spot is the Tenryu-Futamata Rail Yard, where they hold a railway turntable guided tour every day. Visitors can observe an old turntable operation and the TH2100 series there. It is a must-see spot for railfans on the Tenryu-Hamanako line.
The main fleet on the line is the diesel railcar, TH2100 series. It has an 18 meter-long steel body and a diesel engine, which was manufactured by Cummins Inc., with a 257 kW/2,000 rpm output. The transmission system is hydraulic. There are two groups of the TH2100 series. The first batch was launched in 2001 under the name of the TH2000 series. A total of 3 units were built by Niigata Tekkosho (presently Niigata Transys). In 2003, the security brake system of these 3 units was modified and they were renamed as the TH2100 series. The second batch was introduced as brand-new cars in 2004. A total of 11 units were built by Niigata Transys using the new security brake system.
To see the TH2100 series, my recommended spot is the Tenryu-Futamata Rail Yard, where they hold a railway turntable guided tour every day. Visitors can observe an old turntable operation and the TH2100 series there. It is a must-see spot for railfans on the Tenryu-Hamanako line.
