Starting in Koriyama, Fukushima prefecture, passing Aizu and ending in Niitsu, Niigata prefecture, the Ban'etsusai Line, together with the Yamaguchi Line, is one of the scenes of Japan's steam locomotive revival. Their two locomotives, the D51 gSL Echigo Asanoh (operational since 1996) and the C57 gSL Ban'etsu Monogatarih (operational since 1999) have brought lots of joy to tourists over the years. Passing through scenic mountain ranges while blowing their steam whistles the local steam locomotives are the highlight of the Ban'etsusai Line.
