The temperature has dropped to thirty degrees below zero.
I think of saying "Old man, I know cold makes your joints stiff.
Your hat is covered with snow and pulled down over your ears, and your beard is full of icicles.
But you've got a good hot fire of coals in your belly, and a steam locomotive must run even in the worst of snowstorms."
But I don't say it.
I just think, "Sir, aren't you cold?
Isn't it too severe for you?"
I'll never forget your outline out there silhouetted against the snow.
I got off at the "Rikibiru" station (an unmanned station).
Two pairs of "Kanjiki" were hanging on the wall of the little waiting room of the station.
A big sign says, "Use them freely."
"Kanjiki" [snowshoes] are the recommended tools for walking in the snow .
(click on each image for an enlargement)
While neibouring "Minami Oyubari" town was crowded as the new coal mine would be opened the next day, July 2nd.
Here, in "Oyubari," the town is filled with little signs saying,"Oppose the closing of the coal mine!"
C58 The beach of Okhotsk will soon be filled with drift ice.
There is a very short spring and summer when the field becomes full of flowers, and then the winter returns.
The flowers that bloom in such profusion are Hamanasu, Ezokisuge, and Ezosukashiyuri.
The C62 type was active on the Tokaido main line in 1950 and the Jyoban main line in 1940.
They pulled "Tubame","Sakura", "Hato", "Hayabusa", Hatukari," and so on, which were the names of the limited express trains of the national railroad.
As each line in other parts of Japan were electrified the C62's were moved up to Hokkaido;
but eventually even here they were replaced until finally there was only one left, and the "Niseko Express" became the last representative of the magnificent ladies in service.
A dash
A coal mining town
A Flower Garden of Hokkaido
Hello, I am C62
A Place of Rest
osaka@slnet.gr.jp
