Galaxy Express 999 - Train Guidance Flags 銀河鉄道 999 (スリーナイン)

 銀河鉄道 999 or rather the Galaxy Rail Line 999 was first broadcast on Earth in the year 1978.  It was made for Japanese audiences, but has subsequently reached millions beyond.

It is a Space Opera of a Star Trek kind from Japan, with its own unique spin.  The story centers on lucky Earth boy who obtained a coveted galactic rail pass for Inter Galactic Travel.  His mission is to get a planet where flesh and blood organisms can get a cybernetic body for free.  Accompanying our young hero is May-teru, メーテル who is wise and beautiful figure of guidance and protection.  She is loving, intelligent, and powerful.  When she has to fight, you'll find yourself backing and rooting for her 100%. 

Finally, there is an alien train conductor that looks like a Jawa from Star Wars.  No doubt this series was inspired by Lucas's work, and space based science fiction reached a boiling point across the world in 1977.

In one commercial break still shot you can see Tetsuro (星野 鉄郎) riding on a train. He is holding a solid yellow flag in his right hand and white flag in his left hand.

The train conductor is an enigmatic fellow.  Notice the glowing eyes like a Jawa.  The Jawa conductor is your average policy nub, however time and time again he is forced to show his human side to his companions across the cosmos.

The series was written by 松本零士, Matsumoto Reiji of Kurume, Fukuoka.  He also had a hand in directing Starblazers also known as Space Battleship Yamato -宇宙戦艦ヤマ.