Hirouchi Signal Base, Signal base in Shintoku, Japan
Hirouchi Signal Base is a railway signal control facility on the Nemuro Main Line with three parallel tracks located at an elevation of 322 meters (1,056 feet). It operates solely for traffic management and train coordination without any passenger boarding areas.
The signal base started operations on September 30, 1966, following a realignment of tracks between Ochiai and Shintoku stations. This upgrade was part of broader improvements to the Nemuro Main Line route.
The name comes from a farm settlement founded in 1899 by farmers from Kochi Prefecture who moved to this remote area. You can see how the rural character of the surrounding region still reflects this agricultural heritage today.
The facility is not open to public visits as it sits within an active rail area used solely for train operations. You can view it from a distance, but keep a safe distance from the tracks and never enter the rail zone.
The Ozora express train derailed near this location in February 1994 due to powerful winds, highlighting the harsh weather conditions in this mountain region. This accident prompted enhanced safety measures for train operations in this exposed area.
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