The Sagano Scenic Railway or Sagano Sightseeing Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of West Japan Railway Company that operates the Sagano Scenic Line, Sagano Sight-seeing Line, or Sagano Romantic Train in Kyoto. The line uses superseded tracks of the Sagano Line of JR West, from in Arashiyama, and passes a gorge offering a scenic view along the Hozu River, then enters and terminates in the basin of Kameoka. It is closed on Wednesdays and in the winter. The line is locally known as "Torokko in Hozu gorge". Torokko is a Japanese word derived from the English "truck" once used for mining cars hauling ore, but presently means rail carriages basic accommodation and open sides.
*Shares down track of Sanin Main Line between Torokko Saga and Torokko Arashiyama stations. Up trains of the line traverse the down line to reach Arashiyama.
The line was originally a part of the main line of the Kyoto Railway opened in 1899, to connect Kyoto to the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, or the old province of Tanba. The company adopted the relatively level route through the gorge, avoiding Oinosaka pass which would have required a steep grade. The company was nationalized in 1907. The line became a part of the San'in Main Line.
Bypass
, succeeding the Japanese National Railways, built a new, shorter, straighter, electrified double-tracked section of the Sanin Main Line between Saga and which opened in 1989, bypassing the original winding route with narrow tunnels.
Success
JR West utilised the original line for tourism under a subsidiary founded in 1990. JR West used old rolling stock for this purpose; four semi-open coaches hauled by a diesel locomotive. By 1991, the line was more popular than expected. As a result, a fifth carriage, nicknamed "The Rich", was introduced. The car is contrary to its name, converted from an old gondola of JR West to fully open carriage, even the floor and the sides are of fine grills and offers a rough ride. Combined with rafting on the Hozu River, it is a major tourist attraction in Arashiyama and Sagano.
Operation
All trains are operated between Torokko Saga and Torokko Kameoka stations. All seats are reserved, and tickets are on sale one month prior to the operation with some exceptions. Some are sold on the day, but travel in "The Rich" is not available on rainy days. Down trains cater for a return journey via the Hozu River boat ride to Arashiyama, thus up trains are generally less patronised.
Stations
Except Torokko Kameoka is in Kameoka, all stations are in Kyoto.
*Newly built next to the Saga Station of the San'in Main Line as the terminus of Kyoto
*Continued to use the old station on the abandoned line after slight refurbishment. Accessible from on the main line via a detour
*Newly built on the abandoned line as the terminus of Kameoka
*Accessible on foot from on the San'in Main Line, by bus to the pier of Hozu River rafting
Rolling stock
As mentioned above, all are JR West origin. Daily and minor maintenance is carried out at Torokko Saga, while heavy maintenances in JR West facility. Liveried in red, yellow and black, explained as a typical colour set to infer Kyoto.
