4-6-4 Hudson, C6120 runs on Joetsu Line

This year, JNR's type C61 No.20 steam locomotive was newly restored. C61 was the first Hudson type steam locomotive built in Japan, and mainly used for main line passenger trains. C6120 was originally built in 1949, and retired once in 1973. JR East unvailed restored C6120 for Gunma Destination Campaign started from this June.

[@eriknewland3686]

It's so weird to think that Japan still relied on these locomotives even when the first Shinkansen bullet trains were becoming an international sensation.

[@amtrak_121]

Don’t you mean Awesome?! They still use these beauties!

[@eriknewland3686]

@@amtrak_121 No no I mean it’s just interesting that in the 60s and 70s, when Japan was developing the most modern rail system in the world (the shinkansen) they also had a reliance on steam that many other countries no longer had. A combination of being utterly cutting-edge in certain areas and maybe a little behind the times in others back then is just interesting to think about.

[@Shadowtiger2564]

​​@@eriknewland3686its because the heavily invested in electric rather than deisel and needed somwthing on non electrified lines. Which omce they introduced the first diesel hydrolic engine, the DD51, in 1964 they rolled them out, and retired SLs in waves untill the last SL was retired in 1976
Japan was also still very economically poor untill later on and the railways where government owned and ran. However because many SLs where used for so long and so late many when retired where preserved instead of scrapped

[@JuddKramer]

Japan preserved a great amount of its steam locomotives and, unlike America, it kept steam engines running in service until the mid 1970's.

[@aphotographerfromcaliforni2661]

Judd Kramer very interesting bit of trivia; nice to know they were more focused on using the steam locomotives till the wheels fell off. I guess the US was more focused on the affordability and convenience of diesels

[@eriknewland3686]

@@aphotographerfromcaliforni2661 using steam for as long as Japan did was really common in countries that were hit hardest in WWII: France, Germany, the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact, and the UK (to a lesser extent). On the other hand, America left the war with basically no damage at home and a revitalized economy, and was free to move in new directions immediately.

[@aphotographerfromcaliforni2661]

Erik Newland that makes sense!

[@catgirltransit]

On the contrary, though the US went through Dieselasation earlier than Japan, the US has the largest amount of both preserverded steam engines and operating steam locomotives, furthermore they are allowed to run on the mainlines, something that is not possible in Japan, lastly Japan's steam locomotives have been all but based off steam locomotives designed by US companies, like alco Baldwin and lima

[@PennRailVideos]

Very cool! That is a nice steam engine indeed.

[@legaciesontherails3878]

My Son got me a hard plastic backing for my phone for Christmas that has the C6120 on it!

[@Gala113]

The C61 and the C62 are the 2 fastest seam locomotive in japan i'm loving this whistle

[@SF3751]

Well done! Still making great videos I see! Miss your shots of the Amtrak's that used to be so common...

[@SD80MACfan]

Love that whistle!

[@frankbastion3357]

Very Nice! thank you for posting

[@jltrain-zgamingrailfan202x3]

I like the chime whistle.
Sounds exactly like a North American Steam Whistle.

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

Well they are licensed copies of American Nathan 5-chimes.

[@jltrain-zgamingrailfan202x3]

@@SouRwy4501Productions Hi there. Makes sense. The notes do sound pretty identical.

[@ToxicDoesStuffAndMoreStuff]

I have 2 questions.
1. Does the C61 in that line still run till this day?
2. Where can I book my tickets to go there?

[@WildBillEntertainer]

I've composed a bluegrass and called it The C6120 I had no idea there was actually a train of this name. This video is perfect and I would like to ask if you would be willing to allow me 3 minutes of video time to help promote it. I have videos of other trains I can use but this one would be ideal.

[@engineer6325]

Love Japanese steam. Anyone have any idea what sort of whistle the C6120 is using? Its definitely a multi-chime, but not sure which variety.

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

It’s using a JNR standard Nathan 5 chime.

[@eblbmkgd3196]

ブドウ色の旧型客車あってのＣ６１、オハニ３６が優等列車らしさを醸し出します。これで青帯のスロが入れば申し分ないですね。

[@PointedC]

I have This Train as the takara tomy motorize engine with battery it comes with a coach its coach is name or whatever it is is called 47 2261 and the train is c 6120 its really a nice design on the tomy train but its just so cool about the train it looks like my toy

[@HumphreyHurtuk]

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[@TheDapTopEngine]

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[@cbws630]

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[@baheesiva4550]

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