The is a Japanese railway line connecting Shimodate Station, in Chikusei, Ibaraki and Motegi Station in Motegi, Tochigi. It is the only railway line operated by the . The third-sector company took over the former JR East line in 1988. In addition to regular diesel local trains, the line also operates the SL Moka steam service for tourists using a C12 class steam locomotive.
The railway and its operating company are also spelled Mooka Line and Moka Railway, respectively.
History 1 April 1912: 16.5 km line opens between Shimodate and Moka. 15 December 1920: Entire line opened to Motegi (route length of 42.0 km). The proposed extension to Nagakura was not constructed. 2 September 1922: Line renamed Moka Line. 1 November 1982: Freight services discontinued. 11 September 1984: Line closure approved. 11 April 1988: JR line closes and becomes Moka Railway Moka Line. Route length is reduced to 41.9 km. 27 March 1994: SL Moka steam train operation starts. 30 July 2020: JNR Class C11 steam locomotive #325 moved to Tobu Railway.
Rolling stock (As of October 2022)Moka Railway company overview . Retrieved on 8 October 2008. Moka 14 diesel railcars x9 DE10 Class diesel locomotive #1535"全国の現役機関車をめぐって" Japan Railfan Magazine, October 2008 issue, p.133 JNR Class C12 steam locomotive #66 OHa & OHaFu coaches x3
Stations The SL Moka stops at stations marked with "●" and passes stations marked "｜". To take the SL Moka, passengers must purchase the SL ticket (500 yen) via Moka Railways SL Guide and reserve their seats at least a day in advance. There is "SL・DL Rapid" service only on days SL Moka is operated. And, boarding on this service costs only fares.Holidays timetable from/to Shimodate Station around 15 p.m. and 16 p.m. StationJapaneseDistance (km)SL MokaSL・DL RapidTransfersLocation下館0.0●●East Japan Railway Company (JR East): Mito LineKantō Railway: Jōsō LineChikuseiIbaraki下館二高前2.2｜↓ 折本4.6●● ひぐち6.5｜↓ 久下田8.5●● MokaTochigi寺内12.6●↓ 真岡16.4●● 北真岡18.0｜ 西田井21.2● 北山22.9｜ 益子25.1● Mashiko, Haga District七井28.4● 多田羅31.2● Ichikai, Haga District市塙34.3● 笹原田38.1｜ 天矢場39.2｜ Motegi, Haga District茂木41.9●
See also List of railway companies in Japan List of railway lines in Japan
References This article incorporates material from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia
External links