Tobu Railway SL Revival Operation Project

[Project Summary]
An ambitious project called "Steam Locomotive Revival" has been launched, and for the first time in nearly half a century, Tobu Railway will be running a steam locomotive on the Kinugawa Line.
As part of the project, our company was involved in everything from the basic plan to concept design and supervision of the station building, platform, and headmark, as well as creating a lively atmosphere at Kinugawa Onsen Station, and the planning, design, and construction of the steam locomotive displays hall at Shimo-imaichi Station.

[Customer Issues]
To achieve the three main themes of the project - "preserving and utilizing railway industry cultural heritage," "vitalizing the Nikko and Kinugawa area," and ultimately "helping to support the Tohoku reconstruction effort," we aimed to create an exhibition that would enhance the branding of the region, generate excitement to raise awareness of it, communicate the appeal of railway industry cultural heritage, and expand the number of railway displays.

[Solution]
Based on a Showa retro concept design reminiscent of the time when steam locomotives were in operation, we created a lively atmosphere in the station building and displays that allow visitors to experience the charms of steam locomotives, so that it can be enjoyed by a wide range of generations, not just hardcore railway fans.
At both stations where the steam locomotive stops, we created an environment that is concept design of the station buildings of the time, with large eye-catching lanterns.The steam locomotive displays hall also features impressive life-size photos of steam locomotives, flip-through displays that children can enjoy, and information on the history of steam locomotives at Tobu Railways that will appeal to local residents and steam locomotive fans.

<Our project members>
[Developer] Motoo Kawada
[Sales/Project Management] Motoo Kawada, Masahiro Takamori
[Research, planning, and consulting] Yoko Furuta, Tetsuro Yasuda, and Tomoko Takeuchi
[design, layout] Naoko Ishii and Takayuki Sato
[Production and construction] Koichiro Matsukawa and Masato Soeno