A popular steam locomotive traveled on the JR Uchibo Line in Chiba Prefecture on a trial trip on Thursday prior to special services in February.

The first operation of a steam engine in Chiba Prefecture in 18 years attracted a massive number of railway buffs to areas along the line. East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) will operate a special train hauled by its D51 steam engine on the line on Feb. 1, 3, 4, 10, 11 and 12 as part of a campaign to promote Chiba as a tourist spot.

 All the seats on the train have already been booked up. "We receive inquiries about the train every day. However, all seats have been booked up and it's difficult to add more carriages to the train.

We're grateful to railway enthusiasts, but are also sorry," said an official of JR East Chiba branch said. The tourism promotion campaign is jointly organized by the Chiba Prefectural Government and JR East's Chiba branch