Steam Locomotives at Kyoto Railway Museum
One of the highlights of my 1976 photography trip to Kyoto was visiting the Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum, which had just been established in 1972 to preserve Japan’s steam locomotive heritage. At the time, the Kyoto City Tram was on the brink of closure, and the museum stood as a symbol of the transition from one era of transportation to another. Today, now part of the Kyoto Railway Museum, the site continues its commitment to dynamic preservation with eight operational steam locomotives among its collection of 20.
What struck me during this visit was how much more I enjoyed the experience at 65 than I did as a 15-year-old. The passion and dedication to preserving these engines over the past 50 years are palpable. Gallery 2 focuses exclusively on these locomotives, exploring their timeless beauty and the stories they continue to tell.
1976
2025
