Due to the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, limited express trains ``Thunderbird'' and ``Shirasagi'' will cease operating between Kanazawa and Tsuruga on the 15th.



Many railway fans gathered at stations along that section to catch a glimpse of the final train operation.

Last day, railway fans and users are thrilled

It was past 10:30am.



Takefu Station on the Hokuriku Main Line in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture was filled with train fans and local passengers.



It is said that it was like the morning rush hour in the city center, and the local train was so packed that the man was unable to board.

Takefu Station after 10:30am

Hokuriku Main Line with crowded trains

A 20-year-old man from Tokyo said


, ``Because there was one two-car train every hour, it was extremely crowded, to a level that I rarely see even on trains in the city.''

The man calls himself a "station railway".



His hobby is traveling by train, getting off at stations and taking pictures of them.



He took leave and arrived at the site the day before. On the 15th, he boarded a train on the Hokuriku Main Line at around 7 a.m. and got off at a station he had never gotten off at before, taking photos.



Also, one of the things I was looking for was the limited express train ``Shirasagi'', which ends its operation today.

"Shirasagi" connects Kanazawa and Maibara/Nagoya.



The man's grandmother lives in Awara City, Fukui Prefecture, so he has been riding the express train via Nagoya since he was a child to return home.

A 20-year-old man visiting from Tokyo


said, ``This is a train that I have fond memories of riding, always feeling excited because I thought I would be able to meet my grandmother, who I rarely get to see.''It's sad that it's gone, but I'm going to live in Tokyo now that I can go there by Shinkansen.'' As someone who works there, I have high expectations. Awara Onsen Station was also very lively. Today, I'm going to visit the stations on the Hokuriku Main Line until the last minute before I go home."

#Thank you Hokuriku Main Line

We regret parting even online.



On X (formerly Twitter), there are many posts with the hashtags ``#Goodbye Hokuriku Main Line'' and ``#Thank You Hokuriku Main Line,'' and many people are also posting photos of their past memories.

``I went to the Hokuriku area with my friends on a graduation trip.'' ``



It makes me feel a little lonely.'' `



`I was happy because I was able to see the image of the express highway in my mind.'' ``



The Hokuriku Main Line will continue to run in my heart!''

The Hokuriku Main Line, which has been operating in Fukui Prefecture for more than 120 years, will be replaced by JR West's third sector division from Tsuruga Station to Daishoji Station in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, due to the opening of the Shinkansen from the 16th. It will be taken over by "Happi Line Fukui".



The limited express "Shirasagi" that connects with Maibara and Nagoya, and the limited express "Thunderbird" that connects with Kyoto and Osaka, end at Tsuruga Station.

Thunderbird direct train final role

The limited express "Thunderbird" that operated between Osaka Station and Wakura Onsen Station will end its direct service on the 15th.



Before the last train to Osaka departed at 10:14 a.m., a ceremony was held at the ticket gate of Wakura Onsen Station with Nanao City Mayor Yoshitaka Chatani and other local officials gathered.

At the outset, officials from the local tourism association presented bouquets of flowers to the drivers and others, and Kikuo Eshita, manager of JR West's Nanao Railway Department, said, ``It's sad that the direct service that has continued for 37 years will be discontinued, but we will continue to provide services to Wakura Onsen in the future.'' I want to be able to send as many people as possible," he said in his greeting.



The last direct train, ``Thunderbird,'' departed for Osaka with the local station master's shout of ``departure''.

A man from Nakanoto Town, Ishikawa Prefecture, who boarded the last train said, ``I came to ride to make memories.I feel lonely, but I want to enjoy it.''



Mayor Chatani said, ``I used to live in Osaka and used to use it often, so I feel lonely.Nanao City is starting to move toward recovery, so I would like to do something to encourage people to visit Wakura Onsen.'' We were talking.

Meanwhile, many train fans gathered on the JR Osaka Station platform to watch the last train bound for Wakura Onsen.

When the train departed just before 11 a.m., people gathered to see it off, taking photos and waving.



When a travel agency released a tour with commemorative goods attached to tickets for this train, it sold out within about 10 minutes of accepting tickets.



A 33-year-old man from Nara Prefecture said, ``With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in Tsuruga, I feel that Thunderbird has completed its role.There are some views that will be the last to be seen from the train, so I want to enjoy them.'' ” he said.



The last Thunderbird train bound for Kanazawa is scheduled to depart Osaka Station before 9pm on the 15th.