The Railway Museum

The museum is divided into two areas: the History Zone and the Learning Zone. In the History Zone, actual rolling stock is on display, and the history of railroad technology is explained in an easy-to-understand manner.

The Learning Zone, on the other hand, allows visitors to learn about the principles and mechanisms of railroads through hands-on experience using actual parts and models. The museum also offers a variety of hands-on facilities.

Nicknamed “Teppaku” or “Tetsuhaku,” the museum opened on October 14, 2007, Railway Day, as a project by JR East to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its founding.

The tracks in the train exhibit space are connected to the actual operating lines (including the Omiya General Rolling Stock Center), and the design allows for the replacement of rolling stock.

The site of the Railway Museum is the former site of a car dismantling yard (Urawa Train Depot, Taisei Branch), and before that, it was a detention line for diesel railcars for the Kawagoe Line during the non-electrified era.

Concept of the Railway Museum

To open to the public heritage and materials related to railroads in Japan and the world, to preserve materials related to the reform of the former Japanese National Railways and East Japan Railway Company, and to conduct research and studies.
To show the transition of the railroad system as an industrial history with the background of each period, mainly by exhibiting actual rolling stock and other items.
To allow children to learn hands-on about the principles and mechanisms of railroads, the latest railroad technology, and future railroad technology through the use of models, simulations, and playground equipment.

Inside the Museum

Main Building

This building has an entrance. Many exhibits, including vehicle display facilities, are located here.

1st Floor - Vehicle Stations

Formerly known as the “History Zone”. Actual railcars from each era of railroading, from its inception to the present, are displayed in eight thematic areas. As mentioned earlier, this area is connected to an outside pull line, and the cars are arranged around a turntable that actually operates. Some of the cars on display can be approached by decks that simulate station platforms. In addition, some cars with directional signs may change their displays. The following are the cars on display. The Dawn of Japanese Railroads - Meiji Period

Steam Locomotive No. 150 (Locomotive No. 1) - Railway Monument and National Important Cultural Property [Note 7][20]
Steam locomotive No. 1292 “Zenko” - Railway Monument
Steam locomotive No.7101 “Benkei” - Railway Monument
Kotoku No. 5010 class passenger car (Kaitakusha-go) - Railway Monument
Coach car of the foundation period (replica)
Kyoto Electric Railway 20’ long, 20’ wide and 6’ long car
Only the bogie has been restored.

Railroad network spreading throughout Japan - Taisho Period

De-968 train (Hanif No.1 passenger car)
Donated by Matsumoto Electric Railway (now Alpico Transportation).
Nade 6141 Train - Railway Monument and National Important Cultural Property [10].
Steam locomotive No. 9856
This car is on display at the former Transportation Museum, where various parts of the car body were cut open at the Omiya Works so that the internal structure can be observed.
ED40 No. 10 DC Electric Locomotive - Quasi-Railroad Monument and Important Cultural Property (Designated on October 31, 2018[12][13])
ED17 No. 1 DC electric locomotive
Naha 34400 passenger car (interior only, replica)
Oha 31 No. 26 passenger car
It was donated by Tsugaru Railway. Therefore, the interior of the car is displayed as it was used as a stove train.
Cars of Matsuyama Jinkansen Railway (without car number)

The Birth of Express Trains and the Beginning of Commuter Transportation -Prewar and Postwar

In this area, C57s and EF55s are exhibited on the turntable, changing their positions on an irregular basis.

C51 No. 5 steam locomotive: donated by Ome Railway Park.
C57 No. 135 steam locomotive: This car is exhibited at the former Transportation Museum.
EF55 No. 1 DC electric locomotive: This vehicle was once stationed at the Takasaki Branch of the Takasaki Rolling Stock Center of JR East, and after being statically preserved, is now on display.
Maite 39 No. 11 passenger car: This car was exhibited at Ome Railway Park, and then moved to the Railway Museum.
Kiha 41307 Diesel Car: Donated by “Kiha 048 Preservation Society.
KUMOHA40074 DC train: This train was once stationed at JR East Kokufujin Car Center.
Type TR73 tri-axle bogie bogie bogie: This is an exhibit at the former Transportation Museum, and was used in the Susi 28 No. 102 passenger car.

Mass Transportation and the Electrification Era - 1950s

EF58 No. 89 DC electric locomotive: This locomotive was once stationed at the JR East Tabata Operation Center, and was moved as an exhibit.
Nahanehu 22 No.1 B sleeper train: It used to be stored at JR East Kamakura General Rolling Stock Center in Fukajawa area.
KUMOHA101-902 DC train: Formerly stored at JR East Tokyo General Rolling Stock Center.
Kuha103-713 DC Train: It used to be kept at Keiyo Rolling Stock Center of East Japan Railway. It is now painted with colorful polka dots.
Kuha 181-45 DC train: It used to be preserved at JR East Niigata Rolling Stock Center.
Kiha11 No. 25 Diesel Train: Purchased from Ibaraki Kotsu and temporarily displayed as a dynamically preserved train.

Limited Express Network Spreading Nationwide - 1965’s

Kuha 167 DC train (cutaway model/replica): This train was exhibited at the former Kotsu Museum, and features a school excursion-colored body.
KUMOHA455-1 DC train: This train was used as a training car at the JR East Sendai Rolling Stock Center.
Kuha481-26 and MOHA484-61: Formerly stationed at JR East’s Katsuta Rolling Stock Center, these cars were restored to their original appearance at the time of the exhibition.
ED75 No. 775 AC electric locomotive: This train was once stationed at the JR East Akita Rolling Stock Center and displayed various head marks (Elm, Akebono, Cassiopeia, etc.).

Birth of the Shinkansen

No. 21-2 Shinkansen train: Car No. 1 of the N2 formation when the Tokaido Shinkansen started service. This car used to be preserved at JR West Employee Training Center and opened to the public on October 21, 2009.
Shinkansen Train No. 21-25 (cutaway model): Car No. 1 of H1 formation when the Tokaido Shinkansen started service. Formerly exhibited at the Museum of Transportation.
Shinkansen Train No. 222-35: Former JR East Niigata Shinkansen Rolling Stock Center, K31 Formation No. 10, exhibited as part of the “Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen 30th Anniversary Special Exhibition” that started on March 17, 2012, followed by the “Sound Traveling 200 Series Shinkansen” on Saturdays only except national holidays.
Shinkansen train No. E153-104: Former JR East Niigata Shinkansen Sharyo Center M4 formation No. 1. It is displayed in the “Toki-iro” paint used on the Joetsu Shinkansen with a sticker of the Great East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Promotion Campaign.

Freight Transportation by Rail

DD13 No. 1 diesel locomotive: displayed outdoors.
EF66 No. 11 DC electric locomotive
Koki No. 50000 container freight car: No. 16127 covered container, No. 19D 5001 covered container, T10 No. 4 tank container, T15 No. 5 tank container, and UF15A No. 550 refrigerated container are on display.
REMF No. 10000 refrigerated slow speed freight cars: These cars were donated by Nippon Freight Railway.

History of Imperial Cars

EF58 No. 61 DC electric locomotive: Formerly stationed at JR East’s Oku Rolling Stock Center, this car has been on display since October 30, 2022.
No.1 Imperial Imperial Rolling Stock (first generation) - Railway Monument and Important Cultural Property
No.2 Imperial Imperial Car (first generation) - Railway Monument
Imperial Imperial Court Car No. 7 - Railway Monument
Imperial Court Car No. 8 (only the lady’s room has been restored) - Exhibited at the old Transportation Museum
Imperial Ferry No. 9 - Railway Monument
Imperial Ferry No.10 - Railway Monument
Imperial Ferry No. 12 - Railway Monument

The following facilities and exhibits are located on the first floor

Promenade: This is a free exhibition space near the main entrance, and includes a wheel axle of a railroad car from the Meiji period and a comparison exhibit of a German National Railways Type 01 steam locomotive and a D50’s driving wheel. Also on display in the Kids Plaza is a disassembled exhibit of a Series 103 Kuha 103-713 bogie and a cutaway model of D51 No. 426. Floor tiles and roof objects also incorporate elements of the Tohoku Shinkansen.

Kids Plaza: This facility for preschoolers and elementary school students includes a Nari-giri Zone, a Plarail Zone, an Oekaki Zone, and an Infant and Toddler Zone. A kids’ cafe is also available.

Mini Driving Train: Located in the outdoor mini driving park, visitors can experience driving a 3-seat mini train. Visitors can learn about the safety and accuracy of the train driving system, and there are four stations. The fee is 510 yen.

Teppaku Line: This mini train connects the main building and the north building, and is free to use.

455 Lunch Train: A restaurant train using a JNR Series 457 train, with priority given to groups with reservations.

183 Lunch Train: A Series 183 and 189 train set up outdoors, where visitors can eat and drink inside the train.

Operation Simulator: A D51 type simulator is available.

In addition, there is a museum store “TRAINIART” and a sculpture “Poppoya” by Masayuki Nagare.

2nd Floor

The timeline of railroad vehicles is a timeline focusing on the history of railroad vehicles in Japan, and is displayed approximately 75 meters long; it also offers a panoramic view of the rolling stock station on the first floor. Initially, the timeline ran through 2014, but information was later added through the 2030s. Also on display beside this timeline (by the smoking area) is a mock-up of a Moha 63 train car (on display since April 16, 2012, after the dismantling of the Kumoya 90801).

The model railroad diorama is approximately 25 meters wide and 8 meters deep, and is laid out in No. 16 gauge (1/80th scale for conventional lines and 1/87th scale for the Shinkansen). The total length of the track is approximately 1,400 meters and can accommodate up to 20 trains. It has approximately 600 cars, making it one of the largest 16-gauge layouts in Japan. In the diorama, visitors can see characteristic scenes of Japanese railroads, various railroad facilities, and rolling stock. There is also a 10-minute driving program in which trains run while staff members provide explanations (there are multiple patterns for the appearance and staging of the trains). Programs run every 30 to 60 minutes, with lighting adjustments to recreate the day’s events at different times of the day. The program also includes authentic departure melodies and in-train melodies. Admission is free and is in the form of first-come, first-served or stand-up seating.

The Railway Culture Gallery exhibits works of fiction, manga, and music related to railroads, as well as cultural items closely associated with railroads, such as ekiben (boxed lunches sold at train stations).

The Special Gallery is a space where special exhibitions are held.

The Collection Gallery displays some of the materials collected by the Railway Museum, including station markers that were actually used.

In the Science Station (2nd floor), the Learning Zone has been redesigned, and visitors can experience and learn about the principles of railroads, safe and stable transportation systems, and the power and brake mechanisms of rolling stock using models and experimental equipment.

In the library, visitors can browse books, magazines, timetables, and other materials related to railroads (some are closed stacks). The library has approximately 33,000 books. Prior reservation is required to use valuable railroad literature, and the library is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Picture books and other children’s books are moved to the “Kids’ Library. They cannot be checked out or photocopied.

The Teppaku Theater is a projection room showing documentary films about trains, etc. 3D images are also available. Reservations are required.

The Train Restaurant Nihon Shokudo is decorated to resemble a former dining car and serves food modeled after the dining car menu.

Other exhibits include a stained glass window, “Passing Things,” by copperplate artist Yoko Yamamoto.

3rd Floor

The Science Station (3rd floor) was established by renovating the Learning Hall. Visitors can experience and learn the mechanisms of rolling stock power and brakes through devices using actual parts.

The Shinkansen Lounge (formerly known as the View Deck) is a rest area where visitors can observe the Shinkansen and New Shuttle trains in motion and eat and drink.

R Floor (Rooftop)

The Panorama Deck is an observation deck 25 meters above ground level, offering a panoramic view of the Shinkansen, conventional lines, and the New Shuttle. However, it is closed in case of rain.

The South Wing opened on July 5, 2018. It is connected to the second floor of the main building by a deck, but the south building itself is not connected to the main line.

On the first floor there is a work station. The theme here is modern railroads and introduces visitors to the work involved in operating a railroad. Real equipment, tools used for line maintenance, and railroad crossings made to look like the real thing are on display, and there is also a terminal where visitors can enjoy quizzes about railroads.

The following vehicles are on display

Shinkansen train No. 411-3: Car No. 11 of L3 formation belonging to JR East Yamagata Rolling Stock Center. It has been restored to the paint scheme used when the Yamagata Shinkansen started service, and a message from the last service is left in the conductor’s compartment.
Type E514 Shinkansen train (full-scale mockup): This train was manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd. for display purposes. The train is not equipped with running equipment, and its destination is indicated by full-color LED indicators.

There is also a children’s plaza called “Teppaku Hiroba. Here, there is a slide modeled after the Tohoku Shinkansen Series E5 “Hayabusa,” a jungle gym modeled after the Keihin Tohoku Line Series E233, and other playground equipment. A mini Shinkansen “Hayabusa” sometimes operates in the plaza. After the opening of the South Wing, the plaza was relocated and a new jungle gym modeled after the E7 Series was built.

2nd Floor Work Station

Driving simulator: For more information about the driving simulator, see Driving Simulator.
Hands-on Operator Classroom: This hands-on exhibit opened on April 24, 2010, in the renovated south side of the Collection Gallery in the Main Building. There are three courses: Beginner (basic running, starting and stopping), intermediate (signals and speed limit experience), and advanced (timed driving experience and final exam). The model line section is from Omiya to Kagohara on the Takasaki Line, and music produced by the Music Hall as well as D51, 209, and 211 Series trains are played inside the simulator hall. Photography is permitted in the interior, but flash photography is prohibited. In addition, using a tripod or similar device to photograph the operation of the train is also prohibited as a general rule. At the end of the advanced course, a final examination is held, and upon passing (i.e., scoring 600 points), participants will receive a “Certificate of Excellent Completion” and original Railway Museum goods. If a person who has already passed the final exam passes again, only the “Railway Museum Original Goods” will be awarded.

Future Station

Future Station: Visitors can create their own avatar and learn about future railroad technology in this facility themed on the railroads of the future. It is also available in foreign languages.

3rd Floor

History Station

History Station: Visitors can learn about the history of Japanese railroads, divided into six eras from the opening of the railroad in 1872 to the present, and learn about the technological development of each era through the use of period documents and preserved exhibits that were actually used in the past.

4th Floor

Train Terrace: A rooftop plaza located on the conventional rail line side, where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the scenery of the conventional rail line. Tables are set up for eating and drinking.
View Restaurant: Located on the Shinkansen side, this restaurant allows visitors to enjoy a meal while watching the Shinkansen pass by. The restaurant has glass walls on all sides and offers a wide selection of dishes from the former Japanese Restaurant in the Main Wing, such as Hachikuma Rice. The restaurant was established as a relocated version of the Japanese Restaurant that existed before the opening of the South Wing.