Jomo Electric Railway Ogo Station Dead-End Tower

Ogo Station Anchor Tower: A Living Monument of Early Showa Railway Engineering

Nestled within the grounds of Ogo Station on the Jomo Electric Railway line in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, stands a modest yet historically significant steel tower that has quietly served its purpose for nearly a century. The Ogo Station Anchor Tower (引留鉄塔, Hikitome Tettō) is a dead-end pylon built in 1928 — the very year the Jomo Electric Railway commenced operations — and it remains one of the finest surviving examples of early Showa-era railway electrical infrastructure in Japan.

Registered as a national tangible cultural property in 2007 alongside six other structures at Ogo Station, this unassuming steel tower offers a rare window into the engineering ingenuity that powered Japan's regional railways during the nation's rapid modernization in the early twentieth century.

What Is an Anchor Tower?

In railway electrical systems, an anchor tower — also known as a dead-end tower or strain tower — plays a critical role in the power distribution network. Its primary function is to firmly anchor the overhead power lines (known as bus bars or feeder cables), absorbing the mechanical tension of the wires and preventing them from sagging or shifting. Unlike ordinary support towers that simply hold wires aloft, an anchor tower must withstand significant lateral forces, making its structural design especially important.

At Ogo Station, the anchor tower works in concert with three companion structures: a receiving tower (受電鉄塔) that takes in high-voltage alternating current from the power company, a lightning arrester tower (避雷鉄塔) that protects the system from electrical surges, and a relay tower (中継鉄塔) that distributes power onward. Together with the adjacent substation — a reinforced concrete building that converts 60,000-volt AC power into 1,500-volt DC current to drive the trains — these towers form a complete power supply system that has operated continuously since 1928.

Historical Background: The Birth of Jomo Electric Railway

The Jomo Electric Railway was established to connect Maebashi and Kiryu, two cities at the heart of Gunma Prefecture's thriving sericulture and silk-reeling industries. When the 25.4-kilometer Jomo Line opened on November 10, 1928, it represented a vital new transportation link that supported the region's core industries and connected rural communities to urban centers.

Ogo Station, situated roughly midway along the line, was designed from the outset as the railway's principal operational hub. In addition to serving passengers, it housed the company's sole rolling stock depot (the Ogo Train Shed), maintenance workshops, and the substation complex that supplied electrical power to the entire line. The anchor tower was erected as an integral part of this power infrastructure, and the fact that it remains functional after nearly a century speaks volumes about the quality of its original construction.

The railway played a significant role in supporting Gunma's silk industry, which was one of the driving forces behind Japan's early industrialization. Today, the Jomo Line continues to serve local commuters and has become a beloved heritage railway attracting visitors who appreciate its nostalgic atmosphere.

Why Was It Designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?

On July 31, 2007, the Agency for Cultural Affairs registered the Ogo Station Anchor Tower — along with the station building, train shed, substation, receiving tower, lightning arrester tower, and relay tower — as nationally registered tangible cultural properties. The registration was based on the criterion that these structures contribute to the historical landscape of the nation.

The anchor tower is valued for several reasons. First, it preserves the original construction techniques and materials of early Showa-period railway electrical engineering. The tower is a steel-framed structure assembled using equal-angle steel members joined in a Warren truss pattern with bolted connections — a construction method widely used in infrastructure projects during Japan's modernization period. Second, the tower has survived intact for nearly a century while remaining in active service, making it an exceptionally rare example of living industrial heritage. Third, as part of the broader Ogo Station complex, it contributes to a remarkably complete ensemble of early railway infrastructure that tells the story of Japan's regional electrification.

The entire Ogo Station complex was also recognized as a JSCE Civil Engineering Heritage Site by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers in 2007, and the station area is designated as a Gunma Prefecture Modern Heritage site, further underscoring its significance.

Architectural and Engineering Features

The anchor tower is a steel-framed structure constructed using equal-angle steel members assembled in a Warren truss configuration — the same structural system used in the companion towers at the site. The Warren truss, characterized by its alternating diagonal members forming a series of equilateral or isosceles triangles, provides excellent strength-to-weight ratio and was a state-of-the-art engineering solution in the 1920s.

All connections in the tower are made with bolts rather than rivets or welds, which was the standard assembly method for smaller-scale steel structures of this era. Long-stem porcelain insulators — beautiful ceramic components that prevent electrical current from leaking into the steel structure — are mounted at key points on the tower. These insulators, with their distinctive glazed surfaces, add an unexpectedly elegant visual element to the industrial structure.

The tower's purpose is to anchor the ends of the overhead bus bars, maintaining proper tension in the power distribution lines that feed electricity from the substation to the railway's catenary wire system. Its gate-shaped (門形) form, common among the towers at Ogo Station, reflects the efficient structural approach of early Showa electrical engineering.

Highlights and What to See

While the anchor tower itself is a compact structure, its true appeal lies in the broader context of the Ogo Station complex. Visitors can appreciate a remarkably complete set of early railway infrastructure all in one location.

The Ogo Train Shed, open for guided tours on select dates, is the star attraction. Built in 1928 with wooden clapboard walls and a king-post truss roof, it is considered one of the earliest surviving train sheds in Japan. Inside, visitors can see historic rolling stock including the beloved DeHa 101 and 104 electric cars, the DeKi 3021 electric locomotive, and the Te 241 freight car.

The substation building, a reinforced concrete structure that was reportedly the only such building in the entire Seta District when it was constructed, still houses the electrical equipment that converts AC power to DC. The row of four steel towers — the receiving tower, lightning arrester tower, relay tower, and anchor tower — can be viewed from the platform and surrounding areas, creating a striking industrial landscape against the backdrop of Mount Akagi.

The station building itself, a charming wooden single-story structure with weatherboard cladding and plaster walls, retains its early Showa character and welcomes passengers just as it has for nearly a century.

Visiting the Ogo Station Complex

Ogo Station is located on the Jomo Electric Railway Jomo Line, which runs between Chuo-Maebashi Station and Nishi-Kiryu Station. The station is easily accessible from central Maebashi, with trains running approximately every 30 minutes throughout the day.

The station exterior, platform, and the general view of the towers and substation can be enjoyed freely during station operating hours (5:30 AM to 11:30 PM daily). The Ogo Train Shed offers organized tours on select dates — typically in January, April, and around Railway Day in October during the Jomo Electric Railway Appreciation Fair. Advance arrangements may be required for group visits at other times.

The Jomo Electric Railway also offers unique services that enhance the visitor experience, including a cycle train service that allows passengers to bring bicycles on board during off-peak hours, and free rental bicycles available at Ogo Station for exploring the surrounding area.

Nearby Attractions

The area around Ogo Station offers several attractions worth exploring. Green Flower Farm (ぐりーんふらわー牧場), accessible by local bus in about 30 minutes, is a pastoral park popular with families. Gunma Flower Park (ぐんまフラワーパーク), approximately 6 kilometers from the station, features extensive gardens with seasonal blooms.

The southern foothills of Mount Akagi offer hiking trails, hot springs in the Akagi Onsen area, and stunning seasonal scenery — cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, and vivid autumn foliage. The Jomo Line itself is a scenic journey, with the Arato River Bridge (荒砥川橋梁) near Ogo Station also registered as a tangible cultural property.

For those interested in railway heritage, the entire Jomo Line offers a nostalgic experience. The Western terminus at Nishi-Kiryu Station features another registered cultural property — a charming 1928 wooden station building with a distinctive Mansard roof.

Seasonal Considerations

The Ogo Station complex can be visited year-round, though certain seasons offer particular advantages. Spring brings cherry blossoms to the surrounding area, while autumn offers dramatic foliage on Mount Akagi as a backdrop. The Jomo Electric Railway Appreciation Fairs, held several times a year at the Ogo Train Shed, provide the best opportunity to see the historic facilities up close, including guided tours and special exhibitions of vintage rolling stock.

Winter visitors will enjoy clear views of snow-capped Mount Akagi behind the industrial heritage structures. Gunma Prefecture's dry winter climate means that outdoor viewing conditions are generally excellent, though warm clothing is recommended as the station area is exposed.