Tateyama Sabō Erosion Control Works Service Train

The Tateyama Sabō Erosion Control Works Service Train (立山砂防工事専用軌道), commonly called Tateyama Erosion Control Train (立山砂防軌道), is a Japanese, narrow gauge industrial railway line in Tateyama, Toyama. It is operated by the Tateyama Mountain Area Sabō Office, which belongs to the Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Overview
The line transports materials and workers for the construction/conservation of erosion control facilities of Jōganji River, such as dams. Unlike ordinary railways in Japan, the line is not regulated by the Railway Business Law nor the Tram Law, but by the Industrial Safety and Health Law. It means the line is not a public transportation, but solely a construction facility. However, the line is well known among railfans. This is one of few Japanese railways, or possibly the only surviving one, to use narrow gauge track. Also, it is one of the lines with the largest number of railway zig zags in the world. Because of its historical significance, the line is registered as a Monument of Japan.

Basic data

 * Distance: 18 km
 * Rails: 15 kg/m
 * Maximum speed: 18 km/h (uphill), 15 km/h (downhill)
 * Vertical interval: 640 m
 * Liaison offices: 6
 * Double-track line: None
 * Electric supply: Not electrified
 * Average gradient: 3.5 %
 * Maximum gradient: 5.0 %
 * Tunnels: 12
 * Bridges: 20
 * Railway zig zags: 38, concentrated in 8 places
 * Until 2005, there were 42 railway zig zags concentrated in 9 places.
 * Until 2005, there were 42 railway zig zags concentrated in 9 places.

Liaison offices

 * Senjugahara (千寿ヶ原): Near Tateyama Station of Toyama Chihō Railway Tateyama Line and Tateyama Cable Car. Altitude 475 m.
 * Nakagoya (中小屋)
 * Kuwadani (桑谷)
 * Onigajō (鬼ヶ城)
 * Kanbadaira (樺平)
 * Mizutani (水谷): Altitude 1117 m.

Rolling stock

 * Diesel locomotives: 9
 * Work trains: 4
 * Passenger cars: 16
 * Freight cars: 104