modelrail.otenko Trains, computers, vintage, retro, model railways… the lot…

Kishu Railway, Gobo, Wakayama – April, 2025

Ok, fine, it's time to actually detail a few trips I took back in Japan over April/June this year. It's only been 4 months? The first was a daytrip on the Kuroshio down to Gobo in Wakayama. From Gobo Station is the Kishu Railway which runs single-car DMUs on the second-shortest railway in Japan. Back in the day it used to operate freight to the Oji Paper and Daiwabo Wakayama Factories... but this has long since been abolished.

It was a Friday and I took the first Kuroshio out of Shin-Osaka Station, making it to Gobo by ~0930. I was hoping for a 283-series, but the 289 was just as nice. The Kishu service wasn't due in for 15 minutes, so I walked to find a nice scenic spot in the countryside to catch it coming in.

Whilst it was turning around in the station, I wandered around (scaring the locals) to find another vantage spot for it's next down service.

It's so cute! I didn't ride it! I'm embarrassed.... as I prioritised going to HardOff in Wakayama instead of being a rail-fan! I've traded one addiction for another. The End.