26. Fond Farewell for a Beloved Train

In March 2021, the Akita Rinkai Railway Line made its last run and a familiar sight disappeared from the streets of Akita Prefecture. The freight line was only 5.4 kilometers long and operated just 3 days a week. After supporting local industry for 50 years, it couldn't adapt to the times. We look at the railroad's final days, interviewing the workers who kept it running safely, and the residents for whom the train and its familiar whistle were important features of everyday life.