Sanriku Railway opened (1984.4.1)
Third sector
The term third sector is now established as a form of public-private joint investment that operates local railways and local hot spring facilities. However, it is no exaggeration to say that this is the Sanriku Railway that made this word known to the general public.At the same time, it can be said that Sanriku Railway's achievements are great in terms of establishing the shape of the subsequent third sector railway.
Sanriku Railway pioneered the station, which has a complex function with the local area, the mode of operation that has become more convenient since the JNR era, and the unusually designed vehicle that has developed an oblique line.
This railway includes the National Railways Sakari Line (Sakari-Yoshihama), which was abolished under the National Railway Reconstruction Law, and the Minami Rias Line, which opened between the unfinished lines between Yoshihama and Kamaishi, and the National Railways Miyako Line (Miyako-Taro) It consists of two lines, the Kuji Line (Fudai-Kuji) and the North Rias Line that opened between the Kuji Line and the unfinished line between them. There is the JNR Yamada Line between the South Rias Line and the North Rias Line, but with the opening of this Sanriku Railway, the Sanriku Coast was connected by rail from Miyagi Prefecture to Aomori Prefecture.
The Sanriku Railway was greeted with great expectations on the Sanriku coast, which was poorly transported, as a long-sought railway.
Tape cut
Photo: Miyako Station (1984.4.1)
A departure ceremony was held at Miyako Station.
The photo shows a scene of a tape cut in front of Kujiyuki's celebration train. Although it is small and difficult to see, in the center you can see former Prime Minister Zenko Suzuki and the Minister of Transportation at the time.
Celebration train
You will be greeted with a welcome mood at the station. A two-car celebration train leaving Tanohata Station in Tanohata Village and heading for Kuji.
Sanriku Railway started with 16 new trains. Some vehicles have a light weight construction and an unprecedented new color scheme, and some have vending machines for beverages.
Photo: Tanohata Station (1984.4.1)
Facial expressions welcomed by residents along the line
Each station along the station was decorated with arches and residents gathered to show a lot of excitement.
The station buildings that were built in line with the opening of the Sanriku Railway are all intriguing, and new attempts to attract tourists can be seen everywhere, such as adding unique subtitles to the station names.
Miyako Station is built away from JNR Station, and there are tourist information facilities in the station. Kusudamawari was performed at “Campanelara Tabata Station” with a Japanese house-like appearance. It is a two-story building that can be used for local gatherings.
When I came back to Miyako Station, I saw a truck-based float. It is written as “Fish Festival Taiko”, but the apron in the front says “Holiday Sanriku Railway opening”, which means that we have participated in an event commemorating the opening of Sanriku Railway.
Later Sanriku Railway
Sakari → Kuji Sanriku Train
Photo: Orikasa-Rikuchu Yamada (May 27, 1984)
As an attempt to unite the Sanriku Railway divided into the North Rias Line and the South Rias Line, a group train from Sakari to Kuji was operated.
The photo shows the JNR Yamada Line running on a JNR train.
Regarding the transfer of Sanriku Railway on the coastal section of the Yamada Line (between Miyako and Kamaishi), although there was some progress in the talk, it was stopped due to the privatization of the National Railways.
Rapid "Umineko"
Photo: Ichinowatari-Miyako (August 21, 1984)
This is a JNR vehicle on the Sanriku Railway.
Connected to the Tohoku Shinkansen, a special high-speed train was operated from Morioka to the JNR Yamada Line and the Sanriku Railway Kita Rias Line to Kuji.
The vehicle is a “Umineko Color” vehicle with upgraded seats and a different exterior design.
Thank you for your 3rd anniversary
Photo: Kuji Station (1987.4.1)
1987. Kuji Station platform with a 3rd anniversary signboard.
Sanriku Railway, which was the forerunner of the third sector, continued to be profitable through various management efforts and reached its third anniversary safely.
