The Christmas Train is operated for three days in December as a Christmas version of the Ban-Etsu Monogatari excursion train that runs between Niigata and Aizuwakamatsu mainly on weekends and national holidays between April and November. This year, the Christmas Train was operated on Dec. 10, 11 and 17.
 
At 3:25 p.m., the last whistle of this year for this train is blown in Aizuwakamatsu, marking the start of the 3 1/2-hour, 126-kilometer-long trip, the longest for a steam train in Japan.

After passing by a train depot with a turntable for the steam locomotive and crossing under Echigo Kaido Avenue, the conductor began his announcement.
 
"Welcome aboard the Steam Christmas Train 2011 of JR East (East Japan Railway Co.) ..."
 
The train gently cruises in the Aizu basin for about 20 minutes as if it were a warm-up prior to the long trip, and then makes a brief stop at Kitakata, known for its ramen noodles and kura (traditional Japanese-style warehouses). Those waiting for a local train for Aizuwakamatsu curiously gaze at this "party train."
 
After leaving Kitakata, the train travels along a plain. Farmland on both sides of the track is dotted with snow.

The train crosses the Nigori River and begins to climb a slope toward the Keitoku Tunnel. As the locomotive puffs out a large amount of smoke, many railway buffs wait along the line to take photos of the train. The C57 engine is struggling to pull seven carriages through the pass as if it were running out of breath. The more mountainous the area is, the thicker the snow on the ground is. Orange persimmons stand out against the black-and-white background.
 
Crewmembers deliver sheets of colored paper to the passengers and ask them to make paper cranes, which will be presented to the city of Aizuwakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture when steam train services resume next spring. This is part of efforts to pray for a speedy recovery for the area and other prefectures affected by the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters.
 
After passing through the tunnel and going down a slope, the train crosses a bridge over the Ichinoto River. As the bridge towers 24 meters high and is 445 meters long, passengers apparently feel as if they were thrown into the sky from the mountain. The train soon stops at Yamato, which is known for its buckwheat noodles.
 
The train makes a 10-minutes stop at the following Nozawa Station to service the locomotive. Mechanics inject lubricant into the drive assembly. A group of elementary school children wearing Santa Clause hats, who will play a leading role in a welcome event at the next stop, Hideya Station, get on the train. After leaving Nozawa, the train runs on the left side of the Aga River. It is already growing dark as the winter solstice is drawing near.

The train slows down and stops at Tokusawa Station because of a red light. Strong winds in the morning caused delays in services on the Ban-Etsu West Line, and they remain affected.
 
The locomotive finally blows a whistle after stopping there for over 10 minutes. The train enters Niigata Prefecture, and the Aga River changes its name to the Agano River. It grows darker, making snow covering the ground brighter.

The conductor announces through the public address system that the Aga town community will hold a special welcome event, "Christmas Train in Hideya 2011," at Hideya Station. The schoolchildren begin to deliver Christmas cards to passengers. "Joy to the World" is played through the loudspeakers. Some passengers let out a cheer to see illuminations on the platform as the train pulls into the station. Almost all the windows along the platform are open.
 
Usually, passengers are asked to light candles held by schoolchildren during the event. This year, however, the children's candles are already lit apparently because the train is delayed and the stop at the station will be cut short. Children walking toward the front of the platform and passengers wish each other "Merry Christmas!"

Fireworks are shot up in front of the station, lighting up the nearby mountains before they disappear as if they were sucked into the darkness.
 
A whistle is blown to the rhythm of "sanbon jime," a Japanese custom of rhythmic hand-clapping to mark a successful end to an event, as if to draw out the melody of "Silent Night" playing in the carriages. After a long whistle, the Christmas Train leaves the station and gradually speeds up. Local residents and passengers wave to each other.
 
"Merry Christmas!"
 
"Thank you!"
 
"See you later!"
 
"I wish you a happy New Year!"

via Mainichi