 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2018) |
| Tempoku Line | |
|---|---|
 The express train "Tenpoku" entering Otoineppu Station (July 1988) | |
| Overview | |
| Owner | JR Hokkaido |
| Locale | Hokkaido |
| Termini | |
| Stations | 30 |
| History | |
| Opened | 1914 |
| Closed | 1989 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 148.9 km (92.5 mi) |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | Not electrified |
The Tempoku Line (天北線, Tempoku-sen) was a railway line most recently operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) in Hokkaidō, Japan. The 148.9 kilometres line connected from Otoineppu to Minami-Wakkanai via Nakatonbetsu, Hamatonbetsu and Sarufutsu until its closure in 1989. This railway line was named after Teshio Province and Kitami Province.
Naming
The line got its name to the two former provinces that it went through: Teshio (天塩) and Kitami (北見). The first character of Teshio (天) can also be read as "ten", and the first character of Kitami (北) can also be read as "hoku". By Japanese orthography, putting "ten" and "hoku" together makes "Tempoku".
History
The first section from Otoineppu to Shō-Tombetsu was opened in 1914. All section was opened in 1922, as the first railway line for Wakkanai. In 1926, Teshio line via Horonobe was opened. From Otoineppu to Wakkanai, the distance of this line was longer than Teshio line. In 1930, Teshio line was integrated into Sōya Main Line, and this line was separated from it and renamed Kitami line.[1]
In 1961, Kitami line was renamed to Tempoku line. In 1987, JNR was privatized, and this line was inherited by JR Hokkaido, but abandoned on 1 May 1989.
Stations
| Station | Distance (km) | Connections | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otoineppu | 音威子府 | 0.0 | Sōya Main Line | Otoineppu |
| Kami-Otoineppu | 上音威子府 | 5.4 | ||
| Tenpoku-Zakae | 天北栄 | 11.6 | Nakatonbetsu | |
| Shō-Tonbetsu | 小頓別 | 15.6 | Utanobori Municipal Railway (closed in November 1, 1970) | |
| Kami-Tonbetsu | 上頓別 | 20.6 | ||
| Megumino | 恵野 | 23.2 | ||
| Pinneshiri | 敏音知 | 27.1 | ||
| Shūmaro | 周磨 | 31.2 | ||
| Matsuneshiri | 松音知 | 34.5 | ||
| Kamikoma | 上駒 | 37.4 | ||
| Naka-Tonbetsu | 中頓別 | 42.5 | ||
| Kotobuki | 寿 | 46.6 | ||
| Shin-Yayoi | 新弥生 | 48.0 | ||
| Shimo-Tonbetsu | 下頓別 | 51.6 | Hamatonbetsu | |
| Tokiwa | 常盤 | 54.8 | ||
| Hama-Tonbetsu | 浜頓別 | 61.5 | Kohinhoku Line (Closed in July 1, 1985) | |
| Kita-Tonbetsu | 北頓別 | |||
| Yamagaru | 山軽 | 67.7 | ||
| Yasubetsu | 安別 | 70.4 | Sarufutsu | |
| Hikōjō-mae | 飛行場前 | 72.8 | ||
| Asajino | 浅茅野 | 76.7 | ||
| Sarufutsu | 猿払 | 82.9 | ||
| Ashino | 芦野 | 87.4 | ||
| Onishibetsu | 鬼志別 | 93.7 | ||
| Koishi | 小石 | 99.0 | ||
| Magarifuchi | 曲淵 | 116.7 | Wakkanai | |
| Numakawa | 沼川 | 121.0 | ||
| Kabaoka | 樺岡 | 127.2 | ||
| Keihoku | 恵北 | 136.3 | ||
| Higashi-Koetoi | 東声問 | |||
| Koetoi | 声問 | 141.8 | ||
| Uennai | 宇遠内 | 146.8 | ||
| Minami-Wakkanai | 南稚内 | 148.9 | Sōya Main Line | |
After discontinuing
Soya Bus (Belong to Tokyu Group until 1999) have altered the Tenpoku Line since 1989. But the altered line was partly discontinued in 2011.
See also
References
- ^ 田中和夫（監修） 『写真で見る北海道の鉄道』上巻 国鉄・JR線 北海道新聞社（編集）2002年7月15日 ISBN 4-89453-220-4。ISBN 978-4-89453-220-5
