[Limited benefit: Postcard included] RM Re-Library7 A Century of Usui Pass

``RM Re-Library'' reprints two to three volumes of past masterpiece volumes from ``RM LIBRARY'', which has a long history of over 260 issues.

The seventh volume in the series looks back at the history of the Usui Pass section (Yokogawa - Karuizawa) of the Shinetsu Main Line, which was once known to be the steepest section of the JNR line and had a special operating method throughout its life. Published as volumes 40 and 41 of the RM Library, we have also created 4 new pages of color graphs.

This section opened in 1893, 129 years ago. The steepest slope is 66.7‰, the distance between stations is about 11 km, and initially a rack rail system called the Abt system was used. In the end, this was the only section of Japan's National Railways/JR lines that used the Abt system, which shows how difficult the section and construction work was. Initially, it opened without electricity, but it was electrified in 1911 to eliminate smoke pollution caused by the large number of tunnels and slow speeds. For the first time, electric locomotives began operating on the main line.

Although it operated using the Abt type for a long time, it was changed to normal adhesive type operation in 1963, and double tracking was also made to increase transportation capacity. However, a dedicated boost locomotive, the EF63 type, had to be connected to all trains, and the scene of connecting and disconnecting at Yokogawa Station, along with ``Toge no Kama-meshi'', became a familiar feature of travel for many people. .

It has been exactly 25 years since the Usui Pass section of this conventional line was abolished with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Nagano in 1997. This book explores the 104 years of history from 1893 to 1997 from the perspective of "driving history." It tells you about interesting locomotive operations, unusual trains, and even anecdotes that give you a glimpse into the lives of the people who worked there. The author is Toshihiko Miyake, a leading expert on driving history. It also includes many valuable photographs and illustrations.

■Future publication schedule (subject to change)
*Publication information has been updated on January 17, 2023.
1, Kiha07 story
2, Mani type 35/36/37
3. Choshi Electric Railway
4, Kiha 41000 clan
5, Mani 60/61 type Suuni 60/61 type
6. Japan National Railways EF13 type - The life of wartime electric equipment
7. A century of Usui Pass (this product)
9. Birth and demise of three-axle freight cars

stay tuned!