Might be something new...

Might want to follow this link....captions if I get time.

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The sleeper has awakened!

Yes, I actually took a train the other day...twice in one weekend, even!

First, to Kokura on Saturday for a teacher's association meeting. The first batch are a train that came in while I waited for mine.

























I don't think that's a regulation umbrella.






Spartan, but relatively clean...it's a rainy day, so it's kind of wet.


Summer uniforms...








Noodle shop on the platform...





Snuck a picture inside the train once I got on it...

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Nagasaki Streetcars

I went to Nagasaki last week, and got some pics of their streetcars...they are quite varied, from old ones from the 40's and 50's to fairly new ones. I took the streetcars a lot, but because it rained nearly all the time, they were often too crowded to take pictures in. By that I mean they were so crowded I couldn't get my camera out of my pocket...the problem with the system is that it's only got half the cars it needs at peak times or when the weather is bad. A couple of pics are slightly out of focus because I took them while walking off the train and the autofocus couldn't keep up.


The driver's station...the big lever in the middle is the brake lever...the accelerator is on the other side.





Pic taken while trying not to be to obvious.



Here's the currently unused driver's station at the back of a car.




They use lots of different models of train...but the colors mean nothing about the route, that's indicated by the route sign above the windshield.



Tram stop in front of Nagasaki station.








Another driver's station...







This guy probably had a cold...the Japanese try to avoid spreading colds by wearing masks, although it looks strange.

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