Hokkaido railway network expansion reaches Kushiro

On June 19, 1906, the Japanese Government Railways completed the final link of the Nemuro Main Line, bringing steam trains into Kushiro on Hokkaido's Pacific coast. The extension overcame volcanic terrain and harsh winters using 2-6-0 locomotives and wooden trestles. This connection integrated remote fishing villages and coal fields into the national economy, supporting Japan's rapid industrialization during the Meiji era. The line later became famous for its scenic views and the iconic SL trains that still operate today as heritage attractions, preserving a vital chapter in Japan's rail modernization.