Diesel locomotive Class DD20 and passenger coaches travels on the Ikawa line
Happy New Year! The year 2020 has begun. Last year, I received a lot of emails from my blog readers, but sorry, I couldn't reply at all due to my having to work hard. Please wait a little while more until I can make time. At the opening of the New Year, I am going to show you a unique train in a secluded valley in Shizuoka Prefecture.
The Ikawa line of Ooigawa Railway is a route along to the upper stretch of Ooigawa River. Connecting Senzu and Ikawa, there are 14 stations over the total operating length of 25.5 kilometers. The track is single, partly electrified (1,500 V DC overhead). The gauge size is 1,067 millimeters. The section between Abt-Ichishiro and Nagashima-dam (1.5 kilometers) is very steep (90 per mil), so, a rack-and-pinion (Abt) railway system is applied on this section.
The rolling stock of the Ikawa line is cute. Small passenger coaches are pulled or pushed by a diesel locomotive (Class DD20). In addition, an electric locomotive (Class ED90) joined to help on the rack-and-pinion section. A multiple-unit control system is applied on the train, so, a head passenger coach (KuHa 600) has a cockpit to control the whole train including the rear locomotive.
The Ikawa line is similar with Kurobe Kyokoku Railway in Toyama Prefecture. They are both sightseeing routes in the deep valleys. There are many tunnels and bridges on the routes. Fresh green and autumn leaves are very beautiful. Please try both railways and enjoy the nature of Japan.
The Ikawa line of Ooigawa Railway is a route along to the upper stretch of Ooigawa River. Connecting Senzu and Ikawa, there are 14 stations over the total operating length of 25.5 kilometers. The track is single, partly electrified (1,500 V DC overhead). The gauge size is 1,067 millimeters. The section between Abt-Ichishiro and Nagashima-dam (1.5 kilometers) is very steep (90 per mil), so, a rack-and-pinion (Abt) railway system is applied on this section.
The rolling stock of the Ikawa line is cute. Small passenger coaches are pulled or pushed by a diesel locomotive (Class DD20). In addition, an electric locomotive (Class ED90) joined to help on the rack-and-pinion section. A multiple-unit control system is applied on the train, so, a head passenger coach (KuHa 600) has a cockpit to control the whole train including the rear locomotive.
The Ikawa line is similar with Kurobe Kyokoku Railway in Toyama Prefecture. They are both sightseeing routes in the deep valleys. There are many tunnels and bridges on the routes. Fresh green and autumn leaves are very beautiful. Please try both railways and enjoy the nature of Japan.
A train (KuHa 600 + passenger coaches + DL Class DD20) on the Ikawa line
Official information about the Ikawa line: http://oigawa-railway.co.jp/en/abt.html