Kosaka Railway Rail Park, where you can stay overnight in the former Japanese National Railways sleeper express train "Blue Train Akebono" [Akita Prefecture]

"Kosaka Railway Rail Park" a railway theme park that utilizes the former Kosaka Station of the Kosaka Railway, which was discontinued in 2009, as well as the depot and marshalling yard that were located at the station .

The Kosaka Railway Kosaka Station (Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture) and Odate Station on the Ou Main Line (Odate City, Akita Prefecture). The museum preserves and displays facilities such as station buildings that were used from the time of the railway's founding, railway cars that were used on the Kosaka Railway, and former Japanese National Railways (JNR) sleeper express and Blue Train cars.

In particular, the "Blue Train Akebono" carriages are used as accommodation facilities

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The history of the Kosaka Railway, which was established as a private railway for a mine

The Kosaka Railway was Kosaka Station (Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture) and Odate Station Line (Odate City, Akita Prefecture). Its purpose was to transport the products of the Kosaka Mine, which was one of Japan's leading copper mines.

The railway line has a long history, having started operations in 1909 (Meiji 42), and passenger train service began in 1912 (Taisho 1) as the mine developed

The Kosaka Mine reached its peak in the late Meiji era, and Kosaka Town developed into a major city boasting the second largest population in Akita Prefecture. However, the mine's output gradually declined thereafter, and it was finally closed in 1990 (Heisei 2) due to the depletion of its ore reserves

The Kosaka Railway also ceased passenger service in 1994, and freight transport was discontinued in 2009

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The main attraction is undoubtedly the overnight stay experience on the sleeper express train, the "Blue Train."

The "Kosaka Railway Rail Park" boasts many attractions, including numerous preserved vehicles and station buildings and engine sheds that are registered as national tangible cultural properties. However, the main attraction is undoubtedly the opportunity to stay overnight in the operational "Blue Train Akebono .

The vehicles preserved in the park are the overnight sleeper express "Akebono," . The train consists of three passenger cars and one power car.

The 24 series passenger cars were sleeper cars manufactured by Fuji Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. and mass-produced by the former Japanese National Railways (now JR) from 1973 to 1980. Their exteriors were painted in a single dark blue color, "Blue Train," and they ran throughout Japan.

The three passenger cars consist of a private A-class sleeping compartment (Surone 24-551), a private B-class sleeping compartment (Ohane 24-555), and an open B-class sleeping compartment (Ohanefu 24-12) . All three cars were manufactured in 1973 (Showa 48).

After several renovations and remodeling, it has evolved into the style that is preserved today

A-class sleeping compartment

A-class sleeping compartment is a so-called Green Car that can accommodate two people, and the "Surone" symbol means: [Su] = vehicle weight 37.3 tons , [Ro] = Green Car, [Ne] = sleeping car

Originally a two-tiered A-class sleeping car, it was converted into a single-occupancy private compartment for use on the "Akebono" train

Although it's designed for one person, the room has a bunk bed setup with a bed at the top, making it possible for two people to stay. There are 11 rooms in total, with a capacity of 22 people. It is used as an accommodation facility

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B-class sleeper compartment

A B-class sleeping compartment is a standard passenger car for single occupancy, and "OHANE" symbol means: [O] = vehicle weight 35.5 tons , [HA] = standard passenger car, [NE] = sleeping car

Originally manufactured as a three-tiered B-class sleeping car, it was later converted to a two-tiered sleeping car, and then further modified into a two-tiered private compartment with beds positioned parallel to the tracks, and the roof was redesigned to include windows for natural light

It is used as accommodation for 28 people

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B-class sleeper cars open

Open B-class sleeping car: Originally manufactured as a 3-tier B-class sleeping car, it was later converted to a 2-tier configuration

Because this vehicle has a conductor's compartment called a brake van, the symbols are [O] = vehicle weight 32.2 tons, [Ha] = ordinary car, [Ne] = sleeping car, and [Fu] = brake van .

It is used as a dining and relaxation area for hotel guests

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power car

This vehicle, known as a power supply car, is, as the name suggests, used to supply electricity to equipment such as lighting and air conditioning systems

This vehicle has a diesel generator and a luggage compartment, and its symbols are 【カ】 = vehicle weight 48.8 tons and 【ニ】 = luggage car (there doesn't seem to be a symbol for a power car).

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Other exhibited vehicles, facilities, and activities

The park also preserves numerous other facilities and vehicles that are registered as tangible cultural properties by the prefecture and the national government

• The station building (a nationally registered tangible cultural property) has been in use since the opening of the Kosaka Railway
• The "Locomotive Shed" (a nationally registered tangible cultural property) was built in 1962 (Showa 37) and has been restored to its original state
• A steam locomotive (a prefecturally designated tangible cultural property) that was active from the Taisho to Showa periods, and a VIP carriage (statically preserved) that was used by members of the imperial family
• The Kosaka Railway's main diesel locomotives: four locomotives (three DD130 type and one DD13 type / preserved in working condition)
• A snowplow train known as Ki115 (preserved in working condition)
• Three motor cars (still in working order) that were used for yard work and track maintenance

Incidentally, dynamic preservation refers to the preservation of steam locomotives and other railway vehicles while maintaining them in a condition where they can actually move (be used) , and regular maintenance and operation are still carried out today.

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Kosaka Railway Rail Park: A variety of fun experiences

In addition to displays of valuable vehicles and facilities, the park also offers several hands-on activities

Operation of a tourist trolley pulled by a motor car

A sightseeing trolley operates on a 450-meter-long track within the facility, running back and forth

You can experience the feeling of "running on rails," something you don't usually get to feel directly even when riding a train,

Rail bike running on old railway tracks

You can ride a railbike along approximately 250 meters of track within the Kosaka Station premises. This unique experience of speeding along the tracks under your own power is something you probably won't find at other facilities

There are countless other attractions at the Kosaka Railway Rail Park, including a short-distance ride on the Blue Train "Akebono" (a special perk for hotel guests)

This theme park is one that I hope will continue for a long time, not only for railway enthusiasts, but also for generations who know about the Blue Train and for children

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