Mojikō Retro Scenic Line

The Mojikō Retro Scenic Line (門司港レトロ観光線, Mojikō-Retoro-Kankō-sen) is a 2.1 km heritage railway line owned by Kitakyushu City and operated by Heisei Chikuhō Railway. The line runs on a former freight route in Moji-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. One passenger train named the Shiokaze (潮風号) runs on the track.

Mojikō Retro Scenic Line
The Shiokaze near Idemitsu Art Museum Station
The Shiokaze near Idemitsu Art Museum Station
Overview
Native name門司港レトロ観光線
OwnerKitakyushu symbol Kitakyushu City
LocaleMoji-ku, Kitakyushu
Fukuoka Prefecture
Termini
Stations4
Websitewww.retro-line.net
Service
TypeHeritage railway
Operator(s)Heisei Chikuhō Railway Logo Heisei Chikuhō Railway
History
Commenced26 April 2009 (2009-04-26)
Technical
Line length2.1 km (1.3 mi)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
ElectrificationNone
Operating speed15 km/h (9.3 mph)

History

Various railroads have operated in the Moji area in the past, including a line by JR Freight to Sotohama Station (near present day Idemitsu Art Museum Station) and a private passenger line known as the "Tanoura Public Rinkai Line" (田野浦公共臨港鉄道). After the closure of these lines, multiple proposals were made to preserve these lines as a heritage railway. One such proposal by the Heisei Chikuhō Railway was finally approved on March 13, 2008 between Mojikō Station and Mekari Park (now Kanmon Straits Mekari Station).[1][2]

In preparation for its reopening, promotional events were held on the tracks throughout 2008.[3] Plans for the railroad was formally announced January 2009, and naming rights to the station were sold before its formal opening on April 26.[4][5][6] For their preservation efforts, Kitakyushu City was awarded a "Railroad Cultural and Tourism Award" by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.[7]

The 2018 Japan floods heavily damaged the tracks, forcing the line to be closed for a month.[8]

Operations

One four-car passenger train named the Shiokaze (潮風号) runs on the track. The line operates between March and November. Except for certain weeks, trains only operate on the weekends and holidays. Eleven round-trip services are run per day at 40-minute intervals.[9]

Though operated by the Heisei Chikuhō Railway, this line does not connect to the rest of Heichiku's network. The line is not electrified and is single-tracked for the entire line.

Stations

All stations are within Moji-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Name Distance (km) Connections
Kyushu Railway History Museum 九州鉄道記念館 0.0 JR Kyushu: Kagoshima Main Line (via Mojikō Station)
Idemitsu Art Museum 出光美術館 0.5
Norfolk Hiroba ノーフォーク広場 1.4
Kanmonkaikyō Mekari 関門海峡めかり 2.1

References
  1. "『門司港レトロ観光列車』 鉄道事業の許可申請について". Moji Retro (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 17, 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  2. "門司港レトロ観光トロッコ列車 全国初の事業申請 北九州市と平成筑豊鉄道" (in Japanese). Nishinippon Shimbun. March 13, 2008. Archived from the original on March 16, 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  3. "ドキドキわくわく 鉄道体験『レールパーク』の開催について". Moji Retro (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 2, 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  4. "新路線 「やまぎんレトロライン」 門司港トロッコ「潮風号」走ります 北九州市が命名権販売". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). January 31, 2009. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  5. "門司港レトロ観光線（やまぎんレトロライン）駅名・線名決定！". Heisei Chikuhō Railway (in Japanese). January 31, 2009. Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  6. "報道発表資料：門司港レトロ観光列車「潮風号」開業予定日の決定について". Moji Retro (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 17, 2009. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  7. "第８回「日本鉄道賞」の受賞者の決定について". MLIT (in Japanese). October 7, 2009. Archived from the original on December 26, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  8. "鉄道の運転再開及び代行バスの運行開始の見通しについて （７月２０日１７時時点）" (PDF). MLIT (in Japanese). July 20, 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  9. "運行日・時刻表". Mojikō Retro Scenic Line (in Japanese). Heisei Chikuhō Railway. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
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