Hōjō Line

The Hōjō Line (北条線) is a Japanese railway line in Hyōgo Prefecture, between Ao, Ono and Hōjōmachi, Kasai. This is the only railway line operated by Hojo Railway Company (北条鉄道株式会社). The third sector company took former Japanese National Railways line in 1985. The line links Hōjō, a central town of Kasai, and two railway lines, namely JR West Kakogawa Line and Shintetsu Ao Line.

Basic data

 * Distance: 13.6 km / 8.5 mi.
 * Gauge: 1,067 mm / 3 ft. 6 in.
 * Stations: 8
 * Double-track line: None
 * Electric supply: Not electrified
 * Railway signalling: Staff token

History
The Banshū Railway (播州鉄道) opened the line in 1915. The railway was acquired by the Bantan Railway (播丹鉄道) in 1923 and nationalised in 1943 together with other Bantan Railway lines, i.e. the Kakogawa Line, the Takasago Line, the Miki Line and the Kajiya Line.

Freight services ceased in 1974, and in 1985 the Hojo Railway Company commenced operating the line.

Accidents
On 31 March 1945 a Kawanishi N1K fighter on a test flight made an emergency landing near Abiki that damaged the line resulting in a derailment that killed 11 and injured 104 passengers.