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89-year-old train line in rural Hokkaido shuts down, but lives on through touching video tribute

Ingrid Tsai Jun 7, 2020
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The train line wasn’t completely forgotten in its final days due to one videographer’s determination and passion.

As younger souls from the countryside leave their hometowns in pursuit of new ventures, this exodus also marks the changes and shifts in a local region’s transportation system. Hokkaido has seen nearly 13 complete or partial train line closures in the past five decades, with some lines receiving national coverage such as this one which was only operated to take a high school student to and from school.

The presence of media fanfare when a train line is permanently or partially closed differs, but for one train line in Western Hokkaido — the Sasshou line — it may have had a more quiet entourage due the advancement of its closure from May 7 to April 17.

However, for one videographer, they prepared a touching video tribute to memorialize its service. Posted by @NumeriExpress, the video depicts idyllic scenes of pastoral Hokkaido in the spring and summer.

▼ From verdant green plains to a small, snow-covered train station, they captured a pleasant and nostalgic view of the non-electrical Sasshou line. (Translation below)

2020年5月、北海道からまたひとつ鉄路が消えた。札沼（さっしょう）線非電化区間。

1日1本しか走らない単行列車にコトコト揺られて終着駅、新十津川へ。春夏秋冬いつ乗っても楽しい車窓だった。 pic.twitter.com/BaprfZCj8O

— 特急ぬめり (@NumeriExpress) May 23, 2020

“In May 2020, another train line has shut down in Hokkaido — the non-electrical portion of the Sasshou line. Ending at Shin-Totsukawa and only running once a day, the train’s wheels skip over the track as it sways along its path. No matter if it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter, the ride is always enjoyable.”

Running from Sapporo to Shin-Totsukawa, the Sasshou train line was built in 1931. From 2012, the train was re-configured to run on electrical power between Soen and up to Health Sciences University of Hokkaido. However, from the university to the terminal Shin-Totsukawa station, the train was on non-electrical power.

Given the train’s history and the retro appeal of the non-electrical portion of the Sasshou line, we can only imagine how disappointing it might have been for train lovers to not be able to see the line’s last moments, but with @NumeriExpress’s videos and stills, anyone of any fandom can enjoy the sights that the Sasshou line passed through.

▼ “Spring on the Sasshou line. From the window is the refreshing air of summer’s beginning. Wind sways a tree standing alone along the railway. An unforgettable scene.”

札沼線、春の旅。
窓から入る爽やかな初夏の空気と日差しが気持ちいい。沿線のどのあたりだったか、広ーい草原にポツンと立った木が風に揺れている。忘れられない光景。 pic.twitter.com/PbZNKSQhxo

— 特急ぬめり (@NumeriExpress) May 23, 2020

▼ “Winter on the Sasshou line. A warm reception at the cozy, snowbound station. On the warm ride back, all one can hear is the sound of the moving train, the hum of its engine.” 　

札沼線、冬の旅。
雪に埋もれそうな小さな終着駅でのあたたかい歓迎。折り返し列車の車内はポカポカで、エンジンのうなり声と、くぐもったジョイント音だけが聞こえてくる。 pic.twitter.com/ICojH8kNBX

— 特急ぬめり (@NumeriExpress) May 23, 2020

Bringing attention to these areas isn’t just for the diehard fans of retired trains or people who want a virtual jaunt into the countryside. @NemuriExpress also notes that these areas are filled with historical gold mines such as this government building from the Meiji period.

▼ “Big thanks to the Golden Kamuy fans who’ve come through to take a look. Near Ishikaritsukigata station, there is a former detention center-turned-museum. I think the museum displays are really interesting, and I really recommend it.”

ゴールデンカムイのファンの方にも見ていただけてるようで…ありがとうございます。
廃止区間で唯一駅員さんがいた石狩月形駅の近くには、樺戸集治監の本庁舎だった建物が博物館になっていて、展示内容も濃くて面白かった。おすすめ。 pic.twitter.com/dBlgfqgjXD

— 特急ぬめり (@NumeriExpress) May 25, 2020

Through @NemuriExpress’s work, the Sasshou line lives on indefinitely despite its recent closure. With COVID-19 still an omnipresent threat, we don’t know the turnout was for the non-electrical Sasshou line’s last run, but we hope at the very least someone was there to give thanks for the train’s and conductors’ service.

Source, images: Twitter/@NumeriExpress via Net Lab
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