南九州には大畑の他にもう一つループ線があった。それがこの山野線の大川ループである。しかしこのループは大畑に比べれば殊の外ショボく、ループと分かる写真も取りにくい所であった。通常は気動車の運行だけであったが、ごくたまにC56の牽く軌道検測車（マヤ）が走ることがあり、その情報を聞きつけて撮りに行ったときのものである。見ての通りろくな写真がないがそれなりに貴重と思われるので載せることにした。

Kyuusyuu Island had one more loop line other than Okoba Loop. That was Ookawa Loop of Yamano Line. However Ookawa loop was not spectacular as Okoba Loop and hard place to take photos. So this loop was not popular among railway photographers. The Yamano Line had only railmotor services and no steam trains were operating then, but in very rare occasions they operated special track inspection train hauled by C56 class. I got information of special train while I was staying in Okoba and visited Ookawa Loop. As you see no good photos were taken, but they are very rare.

ループへは薩摩布計駅から行くのが一番近い。駅から左はじに見えるトンネルをこえて歩いた。このトンネルはカーブしていて中は真っ暗。あいにく懐中電灯の電池が切れており、何も見えない中を三脚でレールを探りながら歩いた。おかげで三脚は傷だらけに。

“Satsumafuke” was the closest station to the loop. I had to pass through the tunnel (seen on the left of the photo) to the loop. The tunnel was curved and the inside was totally dark. I could not see anything inside. Unfortunately my flash light had flat batteries then. I had to use my tripod as a stick to feel the rails as a result I made lot of scratches on the tripod.

件のトンネルがこの看板には載ってない。しかし小さいループだなー。

Sign board of the loop. A small circle on right side shows “Satsumafuke” station. Above tunnel was not shown on the sign board.

ループで待つことしばし、C56に牽かれたマヤが現れた。200mmの望遠でこの程度にしか撮れない。ほんとに絵にならない場所だ。

I waited beside the loop for a while. C56 appeared with track inspection car. The lower track was too far from the loop. I used 200mm lens but it was not long enough.

ループの上部。右側に上の写真の線路が見える。一日潰してくる場所じゃないなと後悔したのを覚えている。

At the top of the loop. The lower track is barely seen at the right side. I was bit disappointed. I thought this place was not worth to spent whole day to take only one special train.

人吉区で憩うC56。マヤを牽いてたのはここの罐でしょう。

C56 classes resting in Hitoyoshi Engine Depot. The track inspection car was hauled by one of them.