The time I shed my shut-in cat persona and lost all control. 19

I am made almost 100% of iron.

Is a senior colleague at an iron-related workplace also made of iron?

Around the same time my return to work was decided, I received an invitation from a senior colleague who had retired from being a train driver.
He was a very friendly person who enjoyed interacting with all kinds of people, regardless of age, background, or gender. He was the complete opposite of me, someone who enjoys wandering around on solo trips, so I was satisfied just listening to the souvenir stories from the railway trips he organized.

However, a few years ago, when I revealed that I loved not just railway trips but also models and merchandise in general, he started inviting me not just on day trips, but even on trips that took several days using my paid leave, saying he shouldn't have held back.
When I asked him why things turned out this way, he said, 'I didn't know if you liked railways themselves even after becoming a driver, so I couldn't invite you.'

Come to think of it, I remembered that even among train drivers, many are car or motorcycle enthusiasts who prefer other means of transport for their holiday trips. Personally, I don't mind that because everyone is different, and I was satisfied hearing about other genres, but it seemed he was frustrated that his circle of railway friends wasn't expanding.

After traveling together many times since then, I received the best invitation for someone who wants to 'walk': 'You're tired of being a shut-in, right? It's on this day, but why don't you come to Hirosawa City? If you come to Station △△, I'll pick you up by car.'

It was fine that I immediately agreed to a long-distance trip for the first time in a while, but...

I vaguely remembered him inviting me to a place like this before he retired, saying we should go once it opened, and since I was fully prepared to travel far, I replied, 'Of course I'll go! What time should I be there?'

The panic came after that.
'In that case, be at Station △△ at 9 o'clock.'
I'm not good at waking up early, but if there's a purpose, I don't mind getting up early, but it's far—it's just too far. When I checked on a search site, it would take nearly two hours at the earliest, and it would be my first time on a train during rush hour in four months.

'Did I act too hastily?'
While regretting it just a little, I increased the distance I walked each day leading up to that day.

My shoulder might cramp...

To give you the result, I arrived at Station △△ safely.
I'll withhold the name since it's the station nearest to my senior's home, but it was far.
The train, known for its commuter rush, was pretty intense; I managed not to fall over because I could grab a strap with my right hand, but it might have been dangerous if I had been near the doors. My left shoulder, which had been pushed from the side, started to ache gradually, telling me that the muscles were still contracted and stiff.

Even so, I was able to sit down once I passed through the city center, so as long as I could overcome the sleepiness, I was able to make it. However, because I forgot to ask which exit of the station to go to, I headed in the opposite direction and caused trouble for my seniors, but I'll count it as a success since I wasn't late.

It's just that I never thought I'd be riding in a car for over an hour from there... that I was worried about whether I'd make it home today is a secret between us.

What on earth is Hirosawa City?

I had heard it was an interesting place for train enthusiasts, but hearing about it and seeing it are two different things. I was overwhelmed by its scale.

We only visited the area enclosed in the enlarged view, but just walking around it took us a little under two hours. Therefore, if you plan to visit, I recommend either having a clear objective or making your main goal to stay at the campsite.

The Rail Park is a treasure trove

So, the first place we visited was, of course, the "Rail Park."
Since it is an open-air exhibition, there are concerns about deterioration over time, but the preservation state is wonderful, so let's take a good look from head to toe.

An EF81 in Hokutosei livery. Behind it are the Ohanehu 25-12, Orohane 24-551, Sushi 24-505,
and Oha 25-503, which are connected and can be entered.
You can trace nostalgic memories, discover unknown behind-the-scenes details, or take some great photos on the spot.

The platinum ticket among sleeper trains, A-Class Private Room 11.
I'm more of a "just happy to be on board" type, and even when I want privacy, I stop at a B-Class sleeper cabin, so I was just mesmerized by its spaciousness, elegance, ceiling height, and outstanding exclusivity.

The Sushi 24-505 is a dining car.
When it was in active service, you could sit at the table seats in the front, but you could never enter the kitchen in the back. It is packed with equipment you can only see by going inside, such as a compact yet impressive kitchen counter, timetables, and menus, and I really hope it is preserved in this state.

Furthermore, the exhibited vehicles are not limited to the Hokutosei,

There are also Shinkansen and steam locomotives that are well worth seeing, but I have only introduced those that have kept their interiors intact this time.
The ones exhibited in vehicles with renovated interiors will definitely make you stop in your tracks, and time will fly by before you know it.

If you are visiting with someone who isn't a train enthusiast,

it would be best to arrange to meet at a different park or rest area. There is a "Toy Kingdom" for children, as well as "farms," "golf courses," "campsites," and "dog runs" for all ages, and for something a bit different, there is even an "off-road course."

With that introduction out of the way, next time I will cover the "exhibits in vehicles with renovated interiors."
To be continued.