Mojikō Retro Scenic Line Explained

Mojikō Retro Scenic Line
Native Name:	門司港レトロ観光線
Native Name Lang:	ja
Image Alt:	The Shiokaze near Idemitsu Art Museum Station
Type:	Heritage railway
Locale:	Moji-ku, Kitakyushu Fukuoka Prefecture
Stations:	4
Owner:	Kitakyushu City
Operator:	Heisei Chikuhō Railway
Linelength Km:	2.1
Electrification:	None
Speed Km/H:	15
Website:	www.retro-line.net

The 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 runs on the track.

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 . 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 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
	九州鉄道記念館	0.0
	出光美術館	0.5
	ノーフォーク広場	1.4
	関門海峡めかり	2.1

Notes and References

1. Web site: 『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 . 16 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090917115026/http://www.retro-mojiko.jp/news088.html . September 17, 2009 . Japanese.
2. News: 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 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080316073901/http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/local/fukuoka/20080313/20080313_025.shtml . 16 September 2019 . . March 13, 2008 . March 16, 2008 . Japanese.
3. Web site: 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 . 16 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080502180927/http://www.retro-mojiko.jp/news093.html . May 2, 2008 . Japanese.
4. Web site: 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 . . September 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090312052511/https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/74410/ . March 12, 2009 . Japanese . January 31, 2009.
5. Web site: 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 . September 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090210192011/http://www.heichiku.net/p/modules/news/article.php?storyid=184 . February 10, 2009 . Japanese . January 31, 2009.
6. Web site: 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 . September 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090117101706/http://www.retro-mojiko.jp/news116.html . January 17, 2009 . Japanese.
7. Web site: 第８回「日本鉄道賞」の受賞者の決定について . . September 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101226225925/http://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/tetsudo06_hh_000013.html . December 26, 2010 . Japanese . October 7, 2009.
8. Web site: 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） . . 16 September 2019 . Japanese . July 20, 2018.
9. Web site: 運行日・時刻表 . Mojikō Retro Scenic Line . Heisei Chikuhō Railway . September 16, 2019 . Japanese.