Japanese Government Railways Expands Network

On September 12, 1901, the Japanese Government Railways opened a key section of the Tokaido Main Line between Atami and Numazu, improving the vital Tokyo-Osaka corridor. Steam locomotives like the Class 860 hauled expresses over challenging coastal terrain with new tunnels and bridges. This project, directed by engineer Masaru Inoue, addressed mountainous obstacles and supported Japan's rapid industrialization post-Meiji Restoration. It boosted passenger and freight traffic, aiding economic unification. The expansion exemplified state-driven rail development, later evolving into the Shinkansen corridor and underscoring rail's role in national modernization.