Container Flatcar, Japan, Koki 10000

History: The KOKI 10000 was developed in 1966, as an evolution of the 5500, to counter the rise in trucked freight, and had a top speed of 100 kph. As this was beyond the speed of a YO caboose, one car in the train (typically the last) would be a KOKIFU 10000.

Because a caboose could not be used on express trains, the KOKIFU incorporated the conductor’s room on the end. However, pictures show that the compartment end did not have to be at the tail of the train, and the cars could be operated with the KOKIFU on the end, but in reversed orientation. According to a footnote on the Japanese wikipedia, this was common in later years to prevent injury to conductors from rear-end collisions.

Read more of Japanese freight cars on Sumida Crossing website.