Today we'll take a look at minor private railways and third-sector (public-private) railways in Japan. #TrainTwitter
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Just a small company, running two short lines in a small city...pic.twitter.com/yTl0y9pR5o
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...even a small company like Konan finds it worthwhile to electrify its route!pic.twitter.com/Ta8P1rXVms
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Next is the Sanriku Railway--this was the first third-sector railway in Japan.pic.twitter.com/gCwXA4AUyr
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The Sanriku Railway (or "Santetsu") was established just before the breakup of JNR, to continue operating former JNR lines.pic.twitter.com/o2soxeRC5N
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Santetsu is not profitable--the "third sector" designation means it is a private company that also receives local government funding.pic.twitter.com/jfMKZeVMzp
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Santetsu runs on the Tohoku coast and was devastated by the tsunami; several miles of its track wiped out. But service was restored by 2014.pic.twitter.com/QwxsB6BWQo
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Next--the Akita Nairiku Jūkan Railway. Another third-sector company, operating in rural Akita Prefecture. Very comfy express interior!pic.twitter.com/wwEsMX88mq
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This is a fairly long route--connects to already rural lines, the Ou Main Line and the Tazawako Linepic.twitter.com/BspxhCqfXN
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Since there are no major cities on this railway, it’s a very scenic place…pic.twitter.com/LTJ0lCgrGI
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…apparently LOTS of people come out here to take pics of it!pic.twitter.com/x2fQEkCTCL
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Keeping up the third-sector railways: the Yuri Kogen Railwaypic.twitter.com/LR3tBFb9Y2
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This railway branches off the Ou Main Line south of Akita in the city of Yurihonjopic.twitter.com/hln90pRaZD
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This railway, too, is definitely photographer baitpic.twitter.com/nVcC5O5By1
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If there’s a moral for today’s trainpoasts, it’s that public-private railways in Japan are extremely photogenic!pic.twitter.com/0vXtZR6MGM
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Like most others in today’s thread: a third-sector railway, operating a former JNR line.pic.twitter.com/2M4081PFrm
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Low ridership almost closed it in 2005, but operator Tatsuo Asakura took it on himself to raise tourist ridership…pic.twitter.com/YdsxR47Uac
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…with guided tours in local dialect, all w/out telling his bosses. Tourist ridership boomed from 350 to 7,000!pic.twitter.com/VQcP9L2Xki
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The last third-sector railway I'll showcase today is the Aizu Railway.pic.twitter.com/3d3MfJOGjf
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This railway is an odd case--the southern half the route is electrified; service is divided there.pic.twitter.com/EPh1sN0RWV
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Trains that begin at Aizu-Tajima Station continue south onto the Yagan Railway and Tobu Railway, all the way to Tokyo!pic.twitter.com/qLJ25E16V5
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Consequently, some of the trains on this line are owned by other companies--first and last pics here are Tobu Railway trains.pic.twitter.com/xnvqm0dvjx
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"Japan is so crowded" "Japan is all cities" Remember, most of Japan is rural--trains are for everywhere!pic.twitter.com/w6a0R6ZiaS
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But credit where it's due--Japan's thriving cities make rural rail like this is possible! I hope our own cities thrive again soon...pic.twitter.com/aaUTxk4ZKU
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That concludes today's thread! I'll leave you with some lovely Enoden pics--until next time, thank you for riding
#TrainTwitter!pic.twitter.com/1GpNdDT480
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