Shinmei Line

The Shinmei Line (深名線) was a Japanese railway line in Hokkaido operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) which connected Fukagawa Station in Fukagawa and Nayoro Station in Nayoro.

Stations
Stops legend: ●: Train meet possible X:Train meet impossible

History
Uryū Line began construction in 1922, to connect Shumarinai and Fukagawa. The construction was split in six phases and the construction was completed by 1932. The line was renamed to Horokanai Line in 1931.

Meiu Line (名雨線) began construction in 1935 to connect Nayoro to Shumarinai. The line was completed in 1939, and the two lines were renamed to Shinmei Line, taking letters from the two terminus.

Post war
In 1960s, due to the decline of coal mines and introduction of cheaper foreign woods, the economy of the nearby municipalities began to decline. This led to the slow decrease in the population. Population in Horokonai decreased to 7,283 by 1970 compared to 12,016 in 1960. In areas close to Shirakaba station and Fukinodai, settlements disappeared, and with the ongoing motorization and the improvements in roads, the number of users fell to one-third of its peak.

Following the huge drop in users and operating ratio hitting 2,785, the line was listed as one of the Deficit 83 Lines movement and later Specified local lines. However, due to lack of replacement roads, it was not closed by the movement, the line continued to operate until 1995, when it was closed and switched to bus service by JR Hokkaido Bus Company.

Rolling stock
6 JNR Class C11s were used in the line from 1941 to 1949. JGR Class 8620 and JNR Class 9600 were used until the 1970s.

KiHa 01 series was used from August 1955, but were slowly replaced by KiHa 05 which were used by 1966. After 1966, KiHa 21 and KiHa 22 DMU made for Hokkaido were used.

From March 1986, KiHa 53, KiHa 54, KiHa 40 was used until the closure of the entire line.