The Takasaki Light Railway

This is the page where everything starts off as something pushed or pulled by us humans.  In Japan this was how it all began.  Horses were used instead of people, though Japan has a long history of getting people about by person-power.

One website, devoted to this unusual area of Japanese historical railways, has influenced me a great deal.  If you would like to have a look, click here.  Worried that you won't understand anything?  Well, try this translation website.

October 2008 Update.

One of the next projects is a human-powered carriage just 100mm in length.  This will have a very victorian feel and will be followed by a few more plus another petrol-powered adaptation, possibly double-decker (no, really!).

The first Japanese tramway carriage has been rescued from another railway that was closing down.  The carriage seats 6 and has been modified so that it can be pulled one way by the addition of a buffer/coupler.

And here is the other end:

And standing next to a more conventional carriage we can immediately see the actual size:

 You will note that the carriage has been weathered to give the appearence of a well used and just rescued carriage.  The next carriage will be rather more clean and in the same Antique Maroon & Butter livery.

Here is the first look at the new railcar.  This is based on a real railcar that ran around the 1930s in Japan.  What happened was someone took a human-powered carriage, extended it and put a small petrol engine in it.  It seats eight plus the standing room on the rear balcony.

I'll put up some close ups in the course of time.  As you can see the garden is getting a tad overgrown.  This shot was taken after I'd had a go with the shears!