JR Kyushu's sightseeing train ``SL Hitoyoshi'' had its last commercial run on the 23rd, and many people gathered at the station and along the line to watch its last run, mourning its retirement.
``SL Hitoyoshi'', which began operating in 2009, has been gaining popularity with a total of 414,000 passengers so far.
However, the locomotive, which was completed over 100 years ago, had deteriorated significantly, and its last commercial operation was on the 23rd.
It usually runs between Kumamoto Station on the Kagoshima Main Line and Tosu Station in Saga Prefecture, but on the 23rd, a special service was run between Kumamoto Station and Hakata Station.
In the morning, a train ran from Kumamoto Station to Hakata Station, and in the afternoon, a train departed from Hakata Station and headed to Kumamoto Station.
At around 1:50 p.m., with many people watching at Hakata Station, the train received the signal to depart, blared a loud whistle, and set off toward Kumamoto Station with steam rising.
Families and railway fans gathered along the line and at the stations to catch a glimpse of the last run, waving and taking photos as they mourned his retirement.
There were also people holding handmade signs that read ``Thank you SL Hitoyoshi'' to see them off, and a group of people singing ``Hotaru no Hikari.''
SL Hitoyoshi arrived at Kumamoto Station at around 5:45 p.m., where it completed its final commercial operation as many people greeted it.