Memories of Takasaki First Engine Depot

From the Tōgo Department Store, which once stood at the west exit of Takasaki Station, one could look out over the roundhouse and the gantry crane. This was because there were no tall buildings obstructing the view at that time. These facilities could also be seen on the right-hand side from trains departing Takasaki Station on the Jōetsu, Shin’etsu, and Ryōmō Lines.

The entrance to the depot was located on the side opposite the railway tracks, and directly in front, the girder of the gantry crane could be seen towering high above. At the back of the roundhouse, with its curved wall, stood a tall chimney used for venting smoke.

Another way to reach the depot was via a passage that extended from the end of the Takasaki Station platform. Although it was originally a passage reserved for railway staff, at that time many visitors also used it to access the depot for observation.

When visiting the office, one would inform the duty assistant stationmaster of the wish to observe, then enter their name and address in the visitor’s logbook. In return, they received a round badge with a number and were allowed to tour the depot. This is unimaginable in today’s railway workplaces, but at that time it was a common occurrence everywhere.

The C11 class was used for shunting operations in the adjoining Takasaki Passenger Car Depot and Freight Car Depot within Takasaki Station. In earlier years it also worked freight trains and shunting duties on the Nagano-Hara Line (now the Agatsuma Line) from Shibukawa. However, in April 1970 it was replaced by DE11 class diesel locomotives and subsequently retired.

The C12 class was assigned to the Ashio Line and was usually based at the Kiryu sub-depot. For inspections, however, locomotives would run light from Kiryu to Takasaki on their own power. Therefore, they were not always seen outside the roundhouse at Takasaki.

The C58 class remained in service until the very end of the steam era, primarily used for freight duties on the Hachikō Line. Inside the roundhouse, there were facilities where the tenders could be detached for maintenance, and inspections were carried out there.

The 9600 class was used for shunting duties at Takasaki Yard. In April 1970 it was replaced by DE11 class diesel locomotives and subsequently retired. Various appearances could be seen, such as locomotives with lower numbers like “9878,” or those painted with warning stripes on the front and tender.

The D51 was the largest locomotive class at Takasaki First Engine Depot. They were employed on freight services on the Hachikō Line and, at times, operated in double-heading with C58 class locomotives.

The depot was equipped with a water tower and a water tank. Normally the water tower was used, and the tank was rarely seen in operation. In the sand drying room (sand dryer facility), sand was dried for use as anti-slip material. The grab bucket of the gantry crane carried coal from open wagons, and the ash disposal facility collected ash and clinker, which were then hauled away in open wagons.

Before departure, steam locomotives were supplied with coal from the coal bunker, water from the water tower, and sand for traction as needed. Watering was particularly important, and great care was taken to avoid running the boiler dry. After returning from duty, cinders accumulated in the smokebox were shoveled out, and ash and clinker collected in the ashpan beneath the firebox were dropped into the ash disposal facility for processing.

After the farewell commemorative trains had run, the Takasaki First Engine Depot was relocated to its present site. At the location of the former depot, locomotives with fires dropped were left standing. The area had lost all its former heat and activity, and felt cold and desolate. (November 1970)

At that time, Takasaki Second Engine Depot no longer had any steam locomotives assigned. However, there was a turntable and roundhouse, where a steam locomotive was stationed. By connecting piping, it appears to have been used as a stationary boiler. (D51 261, August 1970)