SL Steam Locomotive - RM1 9600 Rumoi Main Line - Leaving the Rime Ice Forest in the Extreme Cold

1972 - 9600 - Rumoi Main Line - Ebishima to Tobetsu - Leaving behind a landscape of icy trees in the severe cold

〇 The Rumoi Main Line is a railway line connecting the cities of Fukagawa and Rumoi in Hokkaido. It opened in 1910 and contributed to the region's development, but due to a recent decline in ridership, its closure has been decided.
〇 Opening and Development
The Rumoi Main Line's section from Fukagawa Station to Rumoi Station (now Rumoi Station) opened on November 23, 1910, and the section from Rumoi Station to Mashike Station opened on November 5, 1921. The line was initially built for the transportation of timber, coal, and seafood to Rumoi Port. There were Tondenhei (pioneer) villages and coal mines along the line, and it served as an important transportation route for the region. Coal transportation was particularly active in the Showa era, but all the coal mines in the Rumoi coalfield had closed by 1970.
〇 Circumstances Leading to Closure
In recent years, the Rumoi Main Line has faced a decline in ridership. The Rumoi to Mashike section was closed in 2016, and the Ishikari-Numata to Rumoi section was closed in 2023. The remaining section from Fukagawa to Ishikari-Numata is also scheduled to close in 2026. The main reasons for the closure are the decrease in passengers and the emergence of alternative transportation due to the opening of high-standard roads. The extension of the Dōō Expressway and the improvement of National Route 231 have had a particular impact.
〇 Current Situation
The Rumoi Main Line, once an important route served by express trains, now primarily serves high school students commuting to school and tourists. The area boasts beautiful nature and historical structures, attracting the attention of railway enthusiasts and tourists. The decision to close the line is a significant loss for the local residents, and a sense of sadness is spreading.
The history of the Rumoi Main Line is that of an important railway line that has progressed alongside the development of the region, and its closure affects many people.

A4 size photo, framed
Height: 23.0 cm, Width: 31.5 cm, Wall-mounted / Stand type
Self-taken work

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