Takamori Town
Yukinori Shiga

Minami Aso Railway passes through the scenic landscape. Due to the influence of the Kumamoto Earthquakes last April, the operation between Nakamatsu station and Tateno station has not yet resumed due to the inflow of sediment, and damage to the tunnel and the iron bridge. Mr.Shiga is a railroad man who protects the Takamori Line every day aiming at the entire line restoration that is also the earnest wish of the town.

“A doctor of checking the railroad tracks” to protect the Takamori Line towards the entire line restoration

About 30 years ago, the national railroad Takamori line was doomed to be separated from government operation because it became an object of the obsolete line, but it was reborn as the third sector “Minami Aso Railway” with enthusiasm of local residents. The Takamori line which runs while looking at the majestic landscape of Aso, is 17.7 km between Tateno and Takamori. It has the trolley train “Yusugego”, and station with the longest name in Japan “Minami Aso Mizu no Umareru Sato Hakusui Kogen Station (The land which water spring out, Hakusui Kogen Station in Minami Aso)”.
Mr.Shiga joined Japan National Railway in 1965. He ran sweat as an engine worker to replenish the fuel such as by putting coal and water in steam locomotive. Six months later, personnel were reduced due to the electrification of the train, and Mr. Shiga began to engage in the maintenance work. The maintenance work is literally existence like “a doctor of checking the railroad tracks” which keeps safe daily operations by checking the condition of tracks and repairing defects.
With a tool such as a hammer in his hand and a notebook in his pocket for memorizing repair place, sometimes he walks on a steel bridge over 60 m in height. It is dangerous work. “But the engine worker was more difficult. Since I got involved in the maintenance, surrounding air is clean first. I am not afraid to walk on a high iron bridge. Well, I couldn’t say this until now,” he laughs.
Minami Aso Railway is not only a public “means of transportation” for local residents but also “a musthave means” for tourists”. Mr.Shiga said, “Tourists are surely coming back if the whole line reopens as before. I’m sure.” Its popularity is firmly rooted so that it can be said that “truck train if speaking of Takamori”. “When walking along the track from Takamori station, Mt.Aso can be seen on the right, beautiful water flows beneath the iron bridge, and rape flower fields spread all over in spring. This is “Yoka (“good” in Aso dialect)”. The view of Nekodake is also the best”. From his way of talking with his eyes lighting up, an extraordinary affection to Takamori come through.
Three months have passed since the earthquake. The period when the railway was completely suspended. It was three months that Mr.Shiga felt the longest in his life. “It was really hard during the three months. It is a job I like more than anything. I will definitely do an entire line restoration.” A dedicated belief has been conveyed from his clear, serene and secure eyes.

Interviewed in January, 2017
Writer : Hideko Takahashi / Photographer : Hiroyuki Tamura