When I passed by Senzu Station, the traffic was congested. So many family companions were around the station. I parked my car to find what was going on. It was a "Thomas and Friends" associated fair. This station is located in a small town surrounded by mountains and is one of the principal stations of Oigawa Railway Company. The tiny trains bound for Okuooikojo-eki start from this station. At a corner of the station lots of "Thomas and Friends" goods were laid out, which reminded me of my daughters' infancy days. While walking, I found an active railway turntable for the first time, though I had several times seen the still ones. Four or five people were revolving the table, which surprised me, because I had assumed that they were electrically driven.
I was going to stay at Sumatakyo gorge near Senzu Station, but urgent business required my prompt return to my office. I got back to Osaka in the evening, and got on a night ferry to Ehime prefecture. The summer vacation was really fantastic. As for Sumatakyo gorge, I'll find another opportunity.
（Vocabulary)
Thomas and Friends 機関車トーマス
railway turntable 転車台
Oigawa Railway Company 大井川鐵道
http://oigawa-railway.co.jp/en/
Canadian National Railway
http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2012/07/historic-site-of-canadian-national-railway.html
千頭（せんず）駅にて機関車トーマス・フェア
千頭駅を通りかかると大渋滞。家族連れが多い。何事かと思い立ち寄ってみるときかんしゃトーマスフェアとのこと。子供向けのいろいろなイベントが開催され、トーマスグッズを売っていた。我が家の三人の娘たちも小さい頃はトーマスファンで絵本をよく読んでいたなと懐かしく思いだした。先の記事で紹介した奥大井湖上駅への汽車はここから出発する。転車台で機関車の向きを変えていた。人力で動かすものだと初めて知った。数名のスタッフに黄色い声援が飛んでいた。
この千頭駅に近い寸又峡で一泊する予定でいたのだが、急遽急いで片付けなければならない仕事が出来たためこの夜、一路大阪まで戻り、夜行のフェリーを使って帰松。寸又峡はまた別の機会に訪れることにしよう。良い夏休みだった。
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