Did You Know: You Can Operate A Mini Train At The Railway Museum In Japan
And it isn't a simulation with on-screen animations and prompts.
By Celine Low — 26 Mar 2025, 03:39 PM
Ever wanted to experience operating a train?
The Railway Museum in Saitama, Japan has a popular Miniature Train Driving exhibit that belongs on your bucket list!
This exhibit offers a real-deal train operation, shrunk down to a delightful, kid-friendly (but adult-approved) scale. Here, you can operate a mini locomotive, complete with levers and buttons, navigating a 300m-long course while following signals and speed limits.
The six-minute journey takes you through a charming landscape of grass and trees, mimicking real-world train travel. Designed to simulate a journey between different stations, the course features miniature terminals modelled after Manseibashi, Iidamachi, Shiodome, and Ryogokubashi stations in Japan.
Each train carries three people and it isn't automated.
You actually get to control the train via a power lever.
The miniature train feature a driver's stand equipped with a speedometre and brake pressure gauge, replicating the experience of operating a real locomotive.
Along the way, you'll encounter realistic driving scenarios, including slowing down at curves, adhering to speed limits at switches, and responding to signal changes due to preceding trains.
The mini train operates using the same signal safety and train control systems as real, full-sized trains, teaching you how to prevent collisions and adhere to railway regulations.
If you ignore a red signal, the train will automatically stop.
While various train types are available at the exhibit, you typically don't get to choose which one you operate. And yes, you even get to use a horn to signal to other trains that you're passing by and stop at the miniature stations along the route.
People of all ages can ride the mini train. However, only elementary school students and adults can operate it. Younger children need to be accompanied by a parent.
Check it out below:
Due to the exhibit's popularity, the museum uses an app-based bidding system to prevent long queues
To gain entry, you'll need to download The Railway Museum Raffle App, choose a time slot, and pay at the boarding area.
Tickets cost 600 yen (approximately RM17.70) per person and the exhibit is available daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Located just an hour outside Tokyo, the Railway Museum is just a one-minute walk from Tetsudō-Hakubutsukan Station.
Admission to the museum:
Adults: 1,600 yen (approximately RM47)
Students (12 to 18 years old): 600 yen (RM17.70)
Children (3 years and older): 300 yen (approximately RM8.90)
You can purchase tickets here. Learn more about the museum here.
