Abira D51 Railway Museum (安平町D51鉄道博物館) is home to the preserved steam locomotive D51 320 and other preserved railcars. The museum is located at 49-1, Kashiwagaoka, Oiwake in the town of Abira in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
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| Abira D51 Railway Museum |
Abira D51 Railway Museum details
The Abira D51 Railway Museum and the Abira D51 Roadside Station were inaugurated in Abira on April 19, 2019.
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| Abira D51 Railway Museum - Abira town, Hokkaido Prefecture |
During the 1900s, the former town of Oiwake thrived and prospered, primarily attributed to its railway system. The town experienced rapid growth, particularly in commerce and industry, including the production of railway materials, and establishments like inns and shops near stations. By the end of the Meiji era, the population had surged to 10,000 people.
Abira D51 Railway Museum entrance from the Abira Roadside Station
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| The museum was designed to look like it's the old Oiwake Station |
In commemoration of this rich history, the Abira Roadside Station was constructed, accompanied by the Abira D51 Railway Museum, dedicated to showcasing the town's railway heritage.
The Abira D51 Railway Museum features various exhibits, including:
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| Steam Locomotive D51 320 (Fondly called "Degoichi") |
1. Steam Locomotive D51 320 (Fondly called "Degoichi"): Once the country's primary locomotive, the D51-type steam locomotive had a widespread presence across Japan. The D51 320, affectionately called "Degoichi," is now preserved and prominently displayed in the Abira D51 Railway Museum.
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| Train Route Boards |
2. Train Route Boards: Exhibition of train route boards, also known as destination display boards (Sabo), attached to the side of cars. Additionally, Oiwake station signboards and license plates from steam locomotives are on display.
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| Photo Panel of the Railway History of Oiwake |
3. Photo Panel of the Railway History of Oiwake: A comprehensive depiction of the railway development in Abira town, featuring steam locomotives that operated on the Muroran Main Line and Yubari Line, presented through a photo panel.
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| Railcar Mover by Kyosankogyo Co., Ltd. |
4. Railcar Mover by Kyosankogyo Co., Ltd.: Display of the railcar mover, which played a crucial role in cargo exchange before containerization. It is still actively used for moving the D51 320.
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| Abira Town Railway Chronology |
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| Engineer uniforms |
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| Confirmation by pointing (指差確認) |
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| D51 320 Train Specs |
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| Diorama model of the Oiwake Engine Depot |
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| Railway-Related Materials |
5. Railway-Related Materials: Exhibition of engineer uniforms, railway signaling handlamps (Cantera), levers in the driver’s seat, and other valuable materials associated with the railway.
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| KiHa 183-214 |
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| KiHa 183-214 Info board |
6. KiHa 183-214: Display of the KiHa 183 series that emerged with the opening of the Sekisho Line and the arrival of limited express trains in Oiwake. This train was preserved through crowdfunding efforts.
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| JNR Freight Car |
7. JNR Freight Car, Brake Van YO 3500, and Box Car WAMU 80000: Exhibition of the "caboose," typically connected to the end of freight trains, and the JNR standard-type "box car" nicknamed "Wamhachi."
Team Nicerio visits the Abira D51 Railway Museum
My family and I first visited Abira D51 Railway Museum last October 8, 2022, during our “October 8-10” Road Trip. It was my 341st day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. Originally, we only aimed to visit Abira Roadside Station as my daughter and I collect roadside station stamps. However, upon learning that the Abira D51 Railway Museum is connected to the roadside station and the entrance was FREE, we didn’t miss the opportunity to check it out. I'm really glad that we did as we learned a lot about the history of the town and its railway line.
Abira D51 Railway Museum Fees
It’s FREE to enter and explore the Abira D51 Railway Museum.
Abira D51 Railway Museum Operating Hours
The Abira D51 Railway Museum operates from 10 AM to 2 PM between April 1 and October 31. Throughout this period, there is a regular outdoor exhibition of the D51 320 locomotive every Sunday. For safety considerations, the indoor railway museum remains closed to the public during these outdoor exhibitions. In the event of rain, the outdoor exhibition will be canceled, but the indoor exhibition will proceed as scheduled.
Regarding specific outdoor exhibitions, the D51 320 is also on display on the following dates:
• Sunday, August 2: Summer Vacation Exhibition
• Sunday, August 9: Obon-Holidays Exhibition
• Wednesday, October 14: Railway Day
During the winter months, from November 1 to March 31, the D51 320 will be exhibited behind glass indoors.
Why visit the Abira D51 Railway Museum?
Whether you're passionate about history, trains, or both, the museum offers a compelling journey into the world of railways. Beyond the impressive array of train-related displays showcased you'll also encounter the unique colored manhole covers of Abira and discover commemorative stamps, adding an extra layer of fascination to your visit.
Getting to Abira D51 Railway Museum
Take the Ozora 7 Limited Express Kushiro train from Sapporo Station and disembark at Oiwake Station. Subsequently, proceed on foot for approximately 850 meters to reach the Abira D51 Railway Museum.
Travel time: 55 minutes
Fare: 3,170 yen
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