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Matsuyama City Station: the main terminal of IYO railway. Be aware that it's a different station to the "JR Matsuyama" station, when you visit Matsuyama.
Botchan train: From the Meiji period (1868-1912) to the wartime period, Matsuyama city employed steam locomotive trams.
The name is derived from Natsume Souseki's novel, "Botchan", in which he described this tram as "steam trains like matchboxes".
However, in the novel they are described in a critical manner, so it's hard to understand why the people of Matsuyama are so attached to it...
From 2001, restored rolling stock (replicas) was put into service (2 steam locomotives, 3 coaches), and now when asked about the Botchan trains, many people point to these.
Out of consideration for the environment, the locomotives are using diesel. (They simulate smoke using water vapour).
Locomotive: Built in 1888, locomotive number 1 Carriage: Built in 1888, HA-1, HA-2
Dougo hot spring - Matsuyama city station (round trip - 14 times per day) Dougo hot spring - JR Matsuyama station - Komachi station (round trip - 3 times per day)
But, on this day, services to JR Matsuyama station were suspended because of inspections of the other locomotive.
At the terminal station, uncoupling and the changing of course is done mostly manually.
After alighting, the locomotive is detached from the coach and does a runaround.
With superhuman strength, they move the locomotive. LOL (actually it is equipped with a hydraulic jack.)
Moving the coaches.
Joining it back up to the locomotive.
Kon! (sound effect)
Screwing in the coupler.
stretch!
Moving to the siding.
Of course, children and tourists make up the majority of its passengers.
A ticket is 300 yen, which is twice as expesive as normal fare.
Katsuyama-chou crossing.
What is attached to the roof of this train is not a bow collector (pantograph), but equipment to operate the points and control the course.