By Hiroshi Naito

Wire-operated mechanical dwarf signals still remain in an industrial yard at Taiheiyo (Pacific) Cement Co. Komagawa Complex about 50 km northwest of Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture. This type of signal equipment has been believed as completely gone a long time ago, but Komagawa's antique signal apparatus seems to have survived so far because of usage in an industrial facility that is exempt from the railway standards. Furthermore, the interlocking in the yard still uses detector bars at switch points to protect the turnout from its erroneous movement when the switch point section is occupied by a train.

The yard is linked to JR Komagawa station on the Hachiko Line by about a 2 km long industrial track. Cement hopper trains still operate to and from the yard once or twice a day through the interlocking governed by this old signal apparatus. However, the complex seems to be reducing production, and shipping operations by train are becoming quieter these days. There is even a rumor that the Hachiko Line is going to close freight operation, so it may not be long before this magnificent signal apparatus will disappear.

The wire-operated mechanical dwarf signal in proximity. When this signal is activated, the discs in front and rear round 45 degrees. At night, an incandescence lamp installed inside illuminates the position lights.	A distant view of the mechanical dwarf signal from the rear. The track stretching towards the mountain connects to JR Komagawa station.	The front face of the mechanical dwarf signal viewed towards the yard of the cement complex.
The detector-bar attached to the switch point. These are apparently the last remaining detector-bars in Japan.	The pipes operate turnouts, and the wire activates the mechanical dwarf signal.	A view of the yard protected by mechanical interlocking. On the right is a tower (signal box) that governs the traffic in the yard by means of manually operated mechanical interlocking.