An old steam locomotive sitting in an amusement park in Gunma Prefecture will be restored for runs in 2011, East Japan Railway Co. said.
It will take about a year to restore the Type C61 locomotive on display at Kezoji Park in Isezaki, but it is expected to return to the tracks in spring 2011, JR East said.
The refurbished C61 will be put into service between Takasaki and Minakimi stations on the JR Joetsu Line, and between Takasaki and Yokokawa stations on the JR Shinetsu Line, all in Gunma Prefecture.
The role of the locomotive will be to draw tourists, especially to special events. It won't run on a daily basis.
The Type C61s debuted in 1947 and were built with parts from the well-known Type D51 and C57 locomotives. They were retired in 1974.
