Pacific Rim - 07

: Kamioka, Gifu, Japan. Aug. 8, 2013

When I first wrote my Pacific Rim column, I wrote that I was trying to paint out the edge of the Pacific Ocean by visiting the countries there. Japan is of course laid on the edge of the Pacific and I live here. It may look small from the other side of the ocean, but it’s pretty large and there are so many rail fun oriented places I’ve never visited. Here, I introduce some “first time for me” rail fun oriented places I visited for this summer vacation.

Our family visited the town of Kamioka this summer. Kamioka, located in the mountainous area of central Japan, is known for “KAMIOKANDE”, the observing equipment for neutrino. The facilities are built underground at the remnant of zinc mine.

The mine was served by rail. 2’ and later 3’6” rail connected Kamioka and junction at Inotani to change cars. Formerly JNR, the 3’6” railroad was spun off in 1984 as Kamioka Tetsudo. Due to the closure of the mine, the railroad lost its major revenue source and abandoned in 2006.

I rode the line in 1992 to take pictures of freight trains. But all the freight trains were bound for “Kamioka Kozannmae” and didn’t go to its terminal “Okuhida Onsennguchi”. So, I also didn’t go to the terminal. Thus, it seemed for me that the route between the two stations, less than only 2 miles, was left inexperienced forever. But, this summer, I covered this blank on my own feet!

: Okuhida Onsennguchi, Gifu, Japan. Aug. 8, 2013

The remnant of the route between the two stations is used for the “Rail Mountain Bike” today. “Rail Mountain Bike” is a kind of equipment powered by bicycles. They have many kinds of equipment; electric motor-assisted bicycle for 2, non-assisted bicycle for 2, non-assisted bicycle for 4 and dolly with the seat pushed by motorcycle.

This longest track we can “bike” in Japan is kept fine. Turnouts, curves, trestles, and tunnels are provided along the route. About an hour round trip starts at “Okuhida Onsennguchi” station. The outward trip is easy, but the homeward is hard because of its 2.0% climb.

As the equipment is made rigid without any cushioning, the sense of climb, super-elevated curves, and joints of the track is conducted directly. Why don’t you experience the sense of steel by yourself?

“Rail Mountain Bike” home page (Japanese only);
http://rail-mtb.com/

: Kamioka Kozannmae, Gifu, Japan. Aug. 8, 2013
: Kamioka Kozannmae, Gifu, Japan. Aug. 8, 2013
: Kamioka Kozannmae, Gifu, Japan. Dec. 18, 1992




かつて、DE10の重連が牽引する貨物列車を見に、高山本線・猪谷駅そして神岡鉄道・神岡鉱山前駅まで行ったことがある。貨物列車は神岡鉱山前駅までしか行かないので、筆者もその先奥飛騨温泉口駅までの区間は未乗のまま。やがて神岡鉄道は廃線になってしまい、心残りになっていた。ところが、今、この区間にトロッコが走っているというではないか。そこで、この暑さから逃れようと富山へ行ってきた。

ここを走るトロッコとは、鋼管のフレームに鉄輪とマウンテンバイクを取り付けた、２ないし４人乗りの人力車である。電動アシスト付きの車両もあるが、線路の勾配を体感したかったので、アシスト無しの４人乗りにした。予約の際に「一番がっつりこいで頂く車両」と言われたので、エンジン代わりに若者をふたり連れて行った。

走行区間はおよそ３キロ、奥飛騨温泉口駅から神岡鉱山前駅までを往復する。S字カーブやトンネル、橋もあり、神岡鉱山前駅では多くの分岐を渡るように設定されている。復路が登りの片勾配で、最急勾配は20‰だ。

フレームと鉄輪、自転車の間には一切緩衝装置がないので、線路の継ぎ目やカントなどによる衝撃が直に伝わり、とても楽しい。が、自転車のゴムタイヤで駆動しているにもかかわらず20‰の登り勾配はとても苦しい。という訳で、20年越しの「塗りつぶしの旅」は、感傷に浸る暇なく汗だくのうちに終わった。