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The Rinkō Line (臨港線, Rinkō-sen, "Portside Line") is a Japanese freight only railway line between Harutori and Shireto, all within Kushiro, Hokkaidō. This is the only railway line of Taiheiyō Coal Services and Transportation (太平洋石炭販売輸送, Taiheiyō Sekitan Hanbai Yusō). The line is the only private railway in Hokkaidō, as well as the only surviving colliery railway in Japan. The first section of the line opened in 1925. It also had a passenger service until 1966. The line transports coals from the mine to Port of Kushiro.
Contents
Basic data
History
The Pacific Ocean Coal Co. opened a 6km line from the coal mine at Harutori to Irifune-cho wharf in 1925/27, with a 3km line connecting the mine to Higashi-Kushiro opening in 1928.
The line was truncated 2km in 1966 when a new coal loading wharf opened, the passenger service ceasing at the same time.
The Pacific Ocean Coal Co. merged with Taiheiyō Coal Services and Transportation Co. in 1979.
The Higashi-Kushiro - Harutori section closed in 1986, with the remaining section continuing to operate.