Mojikō Retro Scenic Line

The Mojikō Retro Scenic Line (門司港レトロ観光線, Mojikō-Retoro-Kankō-sen) is a 2.1 km heritage railway line owned by Kitakyushu City and operated by Heisei Chikuhō Railway. The line runs on a former freight route in Moji-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. One passenger train named the Shiokaze (潮風号) runs on the track.

Mojikō Retro Scenic Line
The Shiokaze near Idemitsu Art Museum Station
Overview
Native name	門司港レトロ観光線
Owner	Kitakyushu City
Locale	Moji-ku, Kitakyushu Fukuoka Prefecture
Termini	Kyushu Railway History Museum Kanmonkaikyō Mekari
Stations	4
Website	www.retro-line.net
Service
Type	Heritage railway
Operator(s)	Heisei Chikuhō Railway
History
Commenced	26 April 2009 (2009-04-26)
Technical
Line length	2.1 km (1.3 mi)
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	None
Operating speed	15 km/h (9.3 mph)

History

Various railroads have operated in the Moji area in the past, including a line by JR Freight to Sotohama Station (near present day Idemitsu Art Museum Station) and a private passenger line known as the "Tanoura Public Rinkai Line" (田野浦公共臨港鉄道). After the closure of these lines, multiple proposals were made to preserve these lines as a heritage railway. One such proposal by the Heisei Chikuhō Railway was finally approved on March 13, 2008 between Mojikō Station and Mekari Park (now Kanmon Straits Mekari Station).^[1][2]

In preparation for its reopening, promotional events were held on the tracks throughout 2008.^[3] Plans for the railroad was formally announced January 2009, and naming rights to the station were sold before its formal opening on April 26.^[4][5][6] For their preservation efforts, Kitakyushu City was awarded a "Railroad Cultural and Tourism Award" by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.^[7]

The 2018 Japan floods heavily damaged the tracks, forcing the line to be closed for a month.^[8]

Operations

One four-car passenger train named the Shiokaze (潮風号) runs on the track. The line operates year-round (previously, only between March and November).^[9] Except for certain weeks such as during the Obon period, trains only operate on weekends and holidays. Eleven round-trip services are run per day at 40-minute intervals.^[10]

Though operated by the Heisei Chikuhō Railway, this line does not connect to the rest of Heichiku's network. The line is not electrified and is single-tracked for the entire line.

Stations

All stations are within Moji-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Name		Distance (km)	Connections
Kyushu Railway History Museum	九州鉄道記念館	0.0	JR Kyushu: Kagoshima Main Line (via Mojikō Station)
Idemitsu Art Museum	出光美術館	0.5
Norfolk Hiroba	ノーフォーク広場	1.4
Kanmonkaikyō Mekari	関門海峡めかり	2.1