There is one main exhibit in this building, the history zone, which occupies about half of the entire space. This is where the history and transitions in train technology and train systems are introduced by theme and time period from the start of Japanese railways in the early Meiji era through to the present.
35 real train cars, including the six-car Imperial train form the primary exhibit. There are also displays of important historical materials, and elaborately made miniature models of trains. The exhibits also feature scene reconstruction based on photographs and materials of the railway scenery in days past to give a better feeling of the way the railway looked in different eras.

Press the button below for an explanation of the trains of that era. Click on the train number above the diagram for an article describing that train.

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On exhibit are locomotives active in Meiji era. Among these are Locomotive No. 1 (class 150) that served between Shimbashi and Yokohama from the start of railways in Japan, Zenko Steam Locomotive (class 1290) used in construction of Saitama's first railway, and more. Also at the Locomotive No.1 exhibit, part of Shimbashi station at the time when operation started is reproduced.

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On exhibit are carriages which were active from the end of the Meiji era through the Taisho era, when the railway network expanded throughout the country. Among the exhibits, you can see carriages powered in a variety of ways including a locomotive used at dicult stages in trunk line transport, trains used heavily for urban transportation, and diesel trains used to streamline feeder lines. A partial reproduction of Taisho era Manseibashi Station and early Showa era Omiya factory are also on display.

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On exhibit are carriages used during the golden age of railroad in the pre-World WarII Showa era. Among these are observation carriages which were symbolic of limited express trains, steam locomotives which pulled limited express and urban commuter trains when first trains started to get crowded. Partial reproductions of Tokyo and Ochanomizu Stations where people departed for overseas travel at that time are displayed.

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Japan's railway system underwent further technical innovation during and after World WarII. Many local lines began to be electried; and carriages and facilities were further modernized with the distribution of power transmission to each carriage on electric and diesel trains instead of using the conventional method of pulling passenger carriages and freight cars with a single locomotive. Exhibited here are a Series 101 Electric Multiple Unit which established the foundation of commuter trains, a Series 181, improved model of Series 151 that made electric trains the mainstay, and a Series 20 known as hotels on the move from their superior service.

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The advancement of AC electric technology established in the late 50s spread electried railroads nationwide. With it came the development of trains capable of running on both AC and DC currents; and as a result, express and limited express train service became available nationwide. Exhibited here are a Series 485 Electric Multiple Unit operated as limited express nationwide and ED75 Electric Locomotive which became the standard model of electric locomotive. A partial reproduction of busy Ueno station as the starting station of long distance special express trains bound for areas across East Japan is displayed.

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The Tokaido Shinkansen was the culmination of various technologies accumulated since the Meiji era to overcome the constraints of narrow-gauge; and it was launched to solve the transportation capacity problems of the Tokaido Main Line which was reaching its limits. On exhibit is the front of the rst carriage of the Tokaido Shinkansen Series 0, which was a combination of highly reliable technology including AC electrication and the electric train propulsion method that enabled it to reach speeds of 200 km/h, a world record at the time, as well as a Series 200 model used on the Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen.

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Since its commencement in Meiji era, the railway system has greatly contributed to domestic distribution by carrying not only passengers, but also handling cargo. Introduced here are the history of rail freight transport and current environment friendly aspects of that. A Class EF66 Electronic Locomotive which claims the highest engine output among Japan National Railway trains,a Class Koki 50000 Container Wagon which played an active role in container transportation, and a Class Remufu 10000 that delivered fresh sh are exhibited.