Norokko train in Hokkaido stops running after 37 years

A special train in the north of Japan is stopping after 37 years. The train is called the Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko. It has run from the city of Kushiro since 1989. On September 30, JR Hokkaido, the railway^*1 company on Hokkaido, Japan's northern island, said the last runs will be on Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10. The news came from the company's office in Kushiro.

On October 9, the train will run as the Norokko Kawayu Onsen. It will go from Kushiro Station to Kawayu Onsen Station and back, one time. On October 10, the last day, it will run as the Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko. It will go from Kushiro Station to Toro Station and back, one time. All seats on these trains are reserved^*2.

On October 10, there will be a ceremony^*3 on platform^*4 3 at Kushiro Station. It starts at about 10:35 in the morning and ends at 11:06. The train leaves Kushiro at 11:06 and comes back at 1:05 in the afternoon.

People who ride on the last two days will get a special card. It is the size of a postcard. A special sign for the last run will be on the front of the locomotive^*5 and on the back of car 4. Along the line, there will be banners^*6 to welcome the train and say goodbye.

From October 1 to October 13, there is a message box inside Kushiro Station. People can leave messages for the train there.

1. *1 railway: a train line, or the company that runs trains
2. *2 reserved: kept for one person who booked it before
3. *3 ceremony: a special event to mark an important moment
4. *4 platform: the place in a station where people get on the train
5. *5 locomotive: the engine car that pulls a train
6. *6 banners: long pieces of cloth with words on them