D51 498 was manufactured in 1940 and was active in various parts of Honshu. It was scrapped in 1972 and was preserved in front of Gokan Station on the Joetsu Line, but 16 years later, Showa. In November 1988, JR East revived its dynamics and resumed its activities just like its heyday.
The first tow train to revive was the much talked about "Orient Express '88" that was in Japan at that time. The last train in Japan stood in front of the main train, EF58 61, from Ueno Station to Omiya Station, and was towed by the double heading.
Since then, it has gained popularity due to the towing of event trains such as the "SL Minakami" on the Joetsu Line, and has become one of the signboard vehicles in JR East. In 2015, a secondary light of LP405 type was installed beside the headlight. Currently, he is mainly active in "SL Gunma Minakami" and "SL Gunma Yokokawa", leading 12 series passenger cars.

The D51 498 (with auxiliary light) reproduces recent changes such as the auxiliary light mounted on the side of the headlight, the smoke collector mounting seat, the cab manufacturing name plate, and the appearance of the tender.