By far and away, one of my favorite topics in railway history has always been that of Early Japanese Railways. There are few more succinct examples of the railway serving as a core element in the birth of a modern nation. The Canadian Pacific may have made Canada, the Trans-Siberian Railway united, divided, and remade Russia, but Japan's early railways drew it out of its feudal past once and for all and built her into a world power. And as with all great tales of history, not everything went according to plan. One of my favorite anecdotes is how the entire yard at Yokohama Station had to be torn up and rebuilt no less than 3 times because each time the track was laid it was found that the curves were too sharp for the wagons to handle without derailing. There were also attempts to use wooden bridges early on to save money, but they didn't last long as the humid, rainy climate caused the wood to rot and wood-eating insects attacked and ate away at the supports. In the end, practically all railway bridges in Japan had to be built of either stone/brick or iron/steel. The Shinbashi-Yokohama Line was also unique for using coaches with American-style end balconies, clerestory roofs, and open aisle seating. For whatever reason, though these coaches were well received on the Yokohama Line, from the Kobe-Osaka-Kyoto Line onward, the Japanese preferred to use British-style compartment coaches with a ventilating false roof similar to coaches found in India. These tidbits come from "Early Japanese Railways 1853-1914" by Dan Free, one of the best English language sources on the topic.
Oh yes so impressive. I absolutely love the Japanese railways and thier steam locomotives. They imported from the UK, USA and Germany I can't think of another railway with so many different locomotives. Also one of the first operating steam engines is the JGR CLASS 150, one of my favorite steam locomotives of all time. Can't wait for you to cover it in the next episode keep up the good work 👍
Awesome history in Japan and my passion for SL's. always will love railroads mainly steam locomotives primarily as they are part of history and historic locomotives that some people may have forgotten. But always will be in heart. Long Live Steam
Oh! I never knew the history of Japanese railways was so interesting! Imagine if it was covered in a Sodor Railway Series book. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing your videos on the classic locomotives!
Same could be said about Australian railways. The first locomotive to run Down Under was also the first engine built in Australia for the Melbourne & Hobson's Bay Railway in September 1854 and was a hodge-podge 2-2-2 as they couldn't wait for the engines ordered from the UK, which finally showed up and took over in 1855. Most of Australia's steam locos were British-built but proper construction for local engines began in 1870 with NSWGR No. 10, a 2-4-0, followed by Ballaarat in 1871 for WA. The last steam loco built in Australia was Queensland Railways BB18 1/4 class Pacific No. 1089, built by Walkers Ltd (Maryborough, Queensland) in March 1958. Since the 1980s, government interference has basically killed Australia locomotive industry.
Brilliant. I’m a writer for the Japanese Railway Society and I find this a befitting tribute to the origins of Japan’s first railway. 🇯🇵
@3:34
By far and away, one of my favorite topics in railway history has always been that of Early Japanese Railways. There are few more succinct examples of the railway serving as a core element in the birth of a modern nation. The Canadian Pacific may have made Canada, the Trans-Siberian Railway united, divided, and remade Russia, but Japan's early railways drew it out of its feudal past once and for all and built her into a world power.
And as with all great tales of history, not everything went according to plan. One of my favorite anecdotes is how the entire yard at Yokohama Station had to be torn up and rebuilt no less than 3 times because each time the track was laid it was found that the curves were too sharp for the wagons to handle without derailing. There were also attempts to use wooden bridges early on to save money, but they didn't last long as the humid, rainy climate caused the wood to rot and wood-eating insects attacked and ate away at the supports. In the end, practically all railway bridges in Japan had to be built of either stone/brick or iron/steel.
The Shinbashi-Yokohama Line was also unique for using coaches with American-style end balconies, clerestory roofs, and open aisle seating. For whatever reason, though these coaches were well received on the Yokohama Line, from the Kobe-Osaka-Kyoto Line onward, the Japanese preferred to use British-style compartment coaches with a ventilating false roof similar to coaches found in India.
These tidbits come from "Early Japanese Railways 1853-1914" by Dan Free, one of the best English language sources on the topic.
Brilliant as always my man!! Been on a binge of your content and have loved every upload, thank you for the amazing work 🙏
Oh hi
Oh yes so impressive. I absolutely love the Japanese railways and thier steam locomotives. They imported from the UK, USA and Germany I can't think of another railway with so many different locomotives. Also one of the first operating steam engines is the JGR CLASS 150, one of my favorite steam locomotives of all time. Can't wait for you to cover it in the next episode keep up the good work 👍
A very few came from Switzerland and Belgium too.
Awesome history in Japan and my passion for SL's. always will love railroads mainly steam locomotives primarily as they are part of history and historic locomotives that some people may have forgotten. But always will be in heart. Long Live Steam
You told the story about the first ever Japanese railway very well. I appreciate this piece of railway history.
Outstanding job man, keep up the good and I can't wait for the next of when the British locomotives were exported to Japan in the 20th century.
Oh yes imported steam locos in Japan need more love. :)
Oh! I never knew the history of Japanese railways was so interesting! Imagine if it was covered in a Sodor Railway Series book.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing your videos on the classic locomotives!
BEHOLD THE RETURN OF An Unknown Japanese HQ’S 2D ANIMATIONS!
#鉄道開業150周年 #鉄道解説
#名列車で行こう #名列車
#迷列車で行こう #迷列車
#迷列車で行こうシリーズ
Back in the day if you want to start a railway, you buy steam locos from the Brits, sad to see where British manufacturing is at nowadays.
Or America, which hasn’t fared much better since either.
Same could be said about Australian railways. The first locomotive to run Down Under was also the first engine built in Australia for the Melbourne & Hobson's Bay Railway in September 1854 and was a hodge-podge 2-2-2 as they couldn't wait for the engines ordered from the UK, which finally showed up and took over in 1855. Most of Australia's steam locos were British-built but proper construction for local engines began in 1870 with NSWGR No. 10, a 2-4-0, followed by Ballaarat in 1871 for WA. The last steam loco built in Australia was Queensland Railways BB18 1/4 class Pacific No. 1089, built by Walkers Ltd (Maryborough, Queensland) in March 1958. Since the 1980s, government interference has basically killed Australia locomotive industry.
Nice.
So Japan uses a different track gauge?