Photo= Passengers warm up on a stove-installed train, which has just begun operation (December 8, Saga Torokko Station, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto)

On December 8, Sagano Scenic Railway Co., Ltd. installed coal-fired stoves on Sagano Romantic Train, a sightseeing tram connecting Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City and Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture. Passengers enjoyed the winter landscape of Hozu-kyo Gorge, holding their hands above the retro stoves to warm up.

Roughly sixty-centimeter-high potbelly stoves were placed in two cars of a five-car train, enveloping the cars in warm air. When a staff member opened the "window" of a stove to feed it coal, blazing reddish flames came into sight. Also, white smoke rose up from the chimneys mounted to the top of the cars.

A couple from Kumamoto Prefecture who were on board smilingly said, "We thought it would be cold inside the train, but are glad it is warm."

Sagano Scenic Railway started the operation of stove-installed trams in 2015 after consulting with Tsugaru Railway Co., Ltd., in Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture. The stove-installed trams will continue until December 29. There will be no service on December 14 or 21. The tram will also be operated during next March. The one-way fare is 620 yen for an adult, 310 yen for an elementary school student.