The Muroran Main Line in the Summer of 1975

The section of the Muroran Main Line in Hokkaido between Muroran and Iwamizawa was the last route in Japan to operate steam-hauled passenger trains. During the summer vacation of 1975—the final summer for locomotives like the D51 and C57—I took the Seikan Ferry to Hokkaido and set out to capture images of these steam trains running through the region's lush, green landscape.
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Passenger train 232, hauled by locomotive C5738, viewed from the overpass between Noboribetsu and Tomiura; the Pacific Ocean and Ayoro Point are visible in the background.(July.1975)

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Wartime-specification D51733, equipped with a Giesl ejector, hauling a freight train against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.(July.1975)

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Wartime-specification D51916 traveling through the greenery between Noboribetsu and Tomiura.(July.1975).

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Passenger train 266, hauled by locomotive C5757, accelerating away from Noboribetsu Station towards Tomiura.(July.1975)

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An freight train with D51218 departed Noboribetsu A passenger train with C5738 from Noboribetsu(July1975)

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A container train hauled by D51953—equipped with a Giesl ejector—traversing the vast wilderness between Toasa and Numanohata.(July 1975).

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Passenger Train 229, hauled by locomotive C5757, entering Tomakomai Station, where a large number of passengers are waiting.(July 1975)

Yonesaka Line closed due to heavy rain disaster--Clear day in snowy season