Iconic Japanese steam locomotive finishes major repairs after 6-year hiatus

In Japan, an iconic class C57 steam locomotive, affectionately known as Kifujin or the "noble lady," has completed major repairs and is poised to return to commercial operations. On Saturday, the steam locomotive, which hails from the 1937 era, underwent a test run on a 62.9-kilometer stretch between Shin-Yamaguchi and Tsuwano stations on the West Japan Railway's Yamaguchi Line, connecting Yamaguchi and Shimane prefectures.

The C57 was first introduced by Japanese National Railways in 1979 for the "SL Yamaguchi-go" tourist train between the former Ogori Station (now Shin-Yamaguchi Station) in Yamaguchi and Tsuwano Station in Shimane Prefecture. Despite being retired after the 1987 privatization of JNR, which gave birth to JR West and other Japan Railways Group companies, the C57 was reinstated for commercial use following a six-year hiatus.

The locomotive was placed on the mend at a Kyoto train yard after stranding in October 2020 due to a piston issue. As steam locomotive components manufacturers had ceased to exist, JR West placed an order with a company specializing in ship parts. The repairs were completed in late July, and test runs began the following month.

JR West's decision to restart the C57 operations aligns with their "Destination Campaign," a joint tourism promotion initiative by the Yamaguchi prefectural government and various JR Group companies. JR West official Shingo Harada, responsible for the C57 repair work, expressed regret for the lengthy wait, hoping that the steam locomotive train would attract travelers from across the country and invigorate Yamaguchi.