“Degoichi” Relocation Ceremony to Create Bustling Towns Muroran November 2, 2014 14:04
A ceremony was held in Muroran, Hokkaido to commemorate the relocation of the steam locomotive “D51”, which is popularly known as “Degoichi”.
Muroran City preserves "D51", which carried coal from the coal mine in Hokkaido to Muroran Port from before the war until 1974.
In August, the Youth Science Museum in Muroran City was relocated to a park next to the old Muroran Station to create a bustling city.
The city raised funds for the “D51” light-up by internet crowdfunding, and a donation of 2.77 million yen was collected.
At the ceremony, five people who donated more than 30,000 yen finished the repainting of “D51” as a privilege, and then concerned parties such as Mayor Muroran cut the tape and celebrated the relocation.
A 49-year-old man who experienced painting said, “I feel like I was moved to a place where many people can see it and breathed back. It would be a tourist attraction in Muroran.”
The relocated "D51" will be lit up from the night of the 2nd and will entertain the citizens and railway fans.