Hokkaido's Kushiro wetland tourist train reaches final run after 37 years
In short
JR Hokkaido's Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko (くしろ湿原ノロッコ号) tourist train reached its final run on October 10, ending 37 years of service because of ageing rolling stock. A departure ceremony was held at Kushiro Station, and reserved-seat tickets for the final run sold out on the day they went on sale.
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JR Hokkaido's Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko (くしろ湿原ノロッコ号) tourist train reached its final run on October 10, bringing 37 years of service to a close because of ageing rolling stock. A departure ceremony was held at Kushiro Station, Tokyo Shimbun and Sankei Shimbun reported. The train operated between Kushiro and Toro on the Senmo Line, travelling slowly through the Kushiro wetlands. [ 2 , 4 ]
Service began in 1989. The name refers to a trolley train moving slowly, and the train reduced speed at points of interest so passengers could view wetland scenery and wildlife through the large windows of its observation carriages. TBS NEWS DIG described seats facing the windows and the opportunity to open them and feel the breeze while looking across the wetlands. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
According to JR Hokkaido, the train operated from spring to autumn and was a draw for visitors on the Senmo Line, a loss-making section with too few passengers to sustain itself independently. Reserved-seat tickets for the final run sold out on the day of release. Nippon TV News and Livedoor News reported that the train had carried about 2.35 million passengers in total. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Nippon TV News reported that JR Hokkaido planned a departure ceremony on platform 3 at Kushiro Station before Norokko No. 2 left, and a welcome and farewell by Kushiro town residents when it reached Toro Station. A photography event is planned for October 17. From next year, a new luxury tourist train, Akai Hoshi (赤い星), is scheduled to run between Kushiro and Shiretoko-Shari on the Senmo Line, Tokyo Shimbun and Sankei Shimbun reported. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
JR Hokkaido described the seasonal train as a draw for visitors on the loss-making Senmo Line, whose low passenger numbers make it difficult to sustain independently. A new luxury tourist train, Akai Hoshi (赤い星), is scheduled to operate between Kushiro and Shiretoko-Shari from next year.
Key facts
- The train reached its final run on October 10 after 37 years of operation. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 ]
- It began service in 1989 and is retiring because of ageing rolling stock. [ 2 , 4 ]
- It ran between Kushiro and Toro on JR Hokkaido's Senmo Line. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Reserved-seat tickets for the final run sold out on their release day. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Nippon TV News and Livedoor News reported total ridership of about 2.35 million. [ 5 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Ageing rolling stock is ending the train's 37 years of operation. Reported by a single source so far
- A departure ceremony was held at Kushiro Station. Reported by a single source so far