The Vintage EMU Kumoha 42

Photo Page

By Kenneth Lin

A side view of Kumoha #42-006, showing a close up of the DT12 type truck.

With fresh morning dew evaporating from the surrounding fields, Kumoha 42 enjoys a quiet morning interlude at the end of the line, Nagato-Motoyama Station.

View of Nagato-Motoyama terminal, a very simple station. The small building adjacent the platform is a station toilet. There are no toilets aboard the Kumoha 42. Before embarking upon the long 8 minute journey to Suzumeda, passengers are advised to take advantage of the station facilities while they can.

Another view of Nagato-Motoyama Station, this time from the north.

Exterior view of the cab of Kumoha #42-006.

Fitting the Kumoha 42 with through gangways and car end doors at both ends of the railcar was an innovative design feature in 1933.

With its heavyweight, unstreamlined appearance consisting of sash windows, riveted carbody sides and chocolate brown livery, the Kumoha 42 not only transports passengers to Nagato-Motoyama, but also back in time to pre-war days.

For railfans from the United States, the Kumoha 42 often conjures images of nostalgia for interurbans which used to lace the country. Alas they are just a memory, but its distant relatives still ply the rails here.

Resting at Suzemeda Station. The track stretching away and behind Kumoha #42-006 is the Onoda Line. Suzemeda Station is the interchange station for the Onoda Line. For railfans arriving by mainline train from distant cities such as Tokyo or Osaka, this is often their first view of the beloved Kumoha 42.

Once upon a time the Kumoha 42 connected distant cities. Today it conveys passengers in pre-war ambience on only 2.8 kilometers of track. But, as it rattles along the harvested rice paddies at sunset, it retains a certain timeless quality. It is in the sunset of its life, ride it while you can!