William Having acquired an interest in western China cultures, I took a month off from my junior year abroad program in Beijing and travelled almost to the border of Afghanistan. (I didn’t ask permission as I knew what the answer would be; that I did my homework and mailed it to my school daily likely spared me expulsion.) Much of the trip was by steam locomotive (SL), so I grew used to their sounds. First arriving in Kumamoto, to my surprise, I often heard something I could have sworn was an SL - in 1990s Japan!
Turns out it was: JNR 8620-type steam locomotive No. 58654. Built at the Hitachi Factory in Kasado, Yamaguchi in 1922, the train has had a long history in Kyushu, mostly in Kumamoto. It was almost scrapped several times and spent the period from ‘75 to ‘88 at a museum in Hitoyoshi, when it was transported to Kokura to be completely restored and put back into service. Known colloquially depending on its route - “Aso Boy” or, currently, “SL Hitoyoshi” - the 58654 is the oldest SL in Japan that has a vehicle registration and can be operated on commercial routes.
Kumanichi reports that SL Hitoyoshi made an appearance at Kumamoto Station alongside Kumamon, dressed in an accurate fascimile of the station master’s uniform, to mark the opening of “Kumamon Station,” which is part of a plan to increase chances to interact with the chubby bear. Every Sunday, Kumamon appears onstage at the Metro Bookstore on the 6th floor of the station building, dressed in his station master duds.
Youtube video about the venerable 58654 with stunning Aso scenery and the Kumanichi article: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkAaoVMiLE0 https://kumanichi.com/articles/744637