D51 triple header on Uetsu line

On the Uetsu Main Line—where steam locomotives were scheduled to disappear from service on October 2, 1972—a farewell commemorative train hauled by a triple-header formation of D51 locomotives ran between Sakamachi and Niitsu on September 23. Crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the train, which was pulled by three steam locomotives: an early-model D5163, a standard-model D51443, and a wartime-model D511001.
Click on this photo to see a larger one

Click on this photo to see a larger one
D51 63 and D51 443 coupled together at the Sakamachi Engine Depot, adjacent to Sakamachi Station—the terminus of the Yonesaka Line.(Sep.1972)

Click on this photo to see a larger one

Click on this photo to see a larger one
D51 63 and D51 443 depart the locomotive depot coupled in tandem.(Sep.1972).

Click on this photo to see a larger one
Passenger train 832 from Akita to Niitsu, pulled by D511001, arrives at Platform 2, and D5163+D51443 are heading for connection.(Sep.1972)

Click on this photo to see a larger one

Click on this photo to see a larger one

Click on this photo to see a larger one
The steam whistle sounds three times, and the farewell commemorative train, hauled by a triple-header of D51 locomotives, departs Sakamachi Station, belching three plumes of black smoke.(Sep.1972)

Click on this photo to see a larger one
A container train hauled by D51953—equipped with a Giesl ejector—traversing the vast wilderness between Toasa and Numanohata.(Sep.1972)

Click on this photo to see a larger one
The "Sayonara" commemorative train, hauled by a triple-header of D51 locomotives, pulls away from Saka-machi Station as a large crowd sees it off.(Sep.1972)

Yonesaka Line closed due to heavy rain disaster--Clear day in snowy season