Percy (left, Class C12) and Hiro (right, Class 9600) are displayed at Senzu station yard
Along with Thomas, Ooigawa Railway has various rolling stock, which appear in the story of "Thomas and Friends". One of the popular locomotives is Hiro.
Hiro is a black colored legendary locomotive. He appears in the fourth story (long version). In the story, Hiro came from Japan, and pulled freight trains on the main line of Sodor Railway. His unit number was 51. On the Ooigawa Railway, unit number 49616 of the steam locomotive Class 9600 is acting Hiro. Unit 49616 was built by Kawasaki Zosen-jo (present Kawasaki Heavy Industries) in 1920. It has leading wheels and a tender (2-8-0 in Whyte notation). Different from Thomas, Hiro is not operated on the track of Ooigawa Railway. It is just exhibited in the Senzu station yard. What for? It is for Thomas train passengers. Hiro is Thomas's friend. He waits for and welcomes Thomas and his train passengers at Senzu station. Boarding on Thomas train, passengers are going to meet with Hiro. It is a good tour story, isn't it?
Incidentally, Ooigawa Railway also has James (C56 44), Percy (C12 208), Rusty (DB9 of Class DB1), Bertie (bus), Flynn (fire engine), Winston (automobile) and so on. Currently, a half of the revenue of Ooigawa Railway is from Thomas train and related business. Some traditional rail-fans dislike the modified locomotives; however, I think that the stabilization of management is essential for a local railway company. I hope that Thomas and Friends remain popular among Japanese children for a long time.
Hiro is a black colored legendary locomotive. He appears in the fourth story (long version). In the story, Hiro came from Japan, and pulled freight trains on the main line of Sodor Railway. His unit number was 51. On the Ooigawa Railway, unit number 49616 of the steam locomotive Class 9600 is acting Hiro. Unit 49616 was built by Kawasaki Zosen-jo (present Kawasaki Heavy Industries) in 1920. It has leading wheels and a tender (2-8-0 in Whyte notation). Different from Thomas, Hiro is not operated on the track of Ooigawa Railway. It is just exhibited in the Senzu station yard. What for? It is for Thomas train passengers. Hiro is Thomas's friend. He waits for and welcomes Thomas and his train passengers at Senzu station. Boarding on Thomas train, passengers are going to meet with Hiro. It is a good tour story, isn't it?
Incidentally, Ooigawa Railway also has James (C56 44), Percy (C12 208), Rusty (DB9 of Class DB1), Bertie (bus), Flynn (fire engine), Winston (automobile) and so on. Currently, a half of the revenue of Ooigawa Railway is from Thomas train and related business. Some traditional rail-fans dislike the modified locomotives; however, I think that the stabilization of management is essential for a local railway company. I hope that Thomas and Friends remain popular among Japanese children for a long time.
Side view of Hiro, unit 49616 of the steam locomotive Class 9600