NIITSU, Niigata Pref. -- Greeted by cheers Tuesday from about 1,000 rail fans, steam locomotive D51-498 chugged into Niigata Prefecture's Tsugawa Station and stopped alongside the C57-180, known as "the Lady" for her beautiful appearance.

It was the first time in 31 years that the two well-known, once-retired steam locomotives stood side by side in Niigata.

"I never dreamed that this day would come," said a local official of East Japan Railway Co.