MarketSL Ginga
Company Profile

SL Ginga

The SL Ginga (SL銀河) was a steam-hauled "Joyful Train" operated by East Japan Railway Company primarily on the Kamaishi Line in the north-east Tohoku Region of Japan from April 2014 to June 2023. The train consisted of restored JNR Class C58 steam locomotive number C58 239 together with four rebuilt former KiHa 141 series diesel cars purchased from JR Hokkaido. The diesel cars provided additional power to cope with the line's gradients.

Design
The exterior and interior design of the train was overseen by industrial designer Ken Okuyama. Externally, the coaches were painted blue, evoking the night sky, with constellation and animal designs on the sides. Internally, the coaches featured gaslight-style lighting and stained glass, evoking an early 20th-century atmosphere. ==Train formation==
Train formation
The train consisted of JNR Class C58 steam locomotive number C58 239 and four coaches, formed as follows. From 1 May 1973, it was preserved in a park in Morioka, Iwate. It was moved from the park by road to JR East's Omiya Works in Saitama Prefecture in December 2012. ==History==
History
The completed train was shown off to the public at Morioka Station on 2 February 2014. It entered revenue service on 12 April 2014. It was announced in 2021 that the service would be withdrawn in spring 2023 due to the increasing age and deterioration of the KiHa 141 passenger cars. The train made its final run on 11 June 2023 to throngs of railway enthusiasts and locals bidding it farewell. The future for the locomotive currently remains uncertain. ==References==
tickerdossier.comtickerdossier.substack.com