page_title: Sōya Main Line
section_title: Former connecting lines
hierarchical_section_title: Sōya Main Line / History / Former connecting lines
caption_attribution_description: 日本語: 天北峠付近を走る国鉄9600形蒸気機関車。一ノ橋 - 上興部。）
context_page_description: The Sōya Main Line is a Japanese railway line operated by Hokkaido Railway Company in Hokkaido. The line connects Asahikawa Station in Asahikawa and Wakkanai Station in Wakkanai, and is the northernmost railway line in Japan. The name comes from Sōya Subprefecture.
  On 19 November 2016, JR Hokkaido's President announced plans to rationalise the network by up to 1,237 km, or ~50% of the current network, including proposed conversion of the Nayoro - Wakkanai section of the Soya Line to Third Sector operation, but if local governments are not agreeable, the section will face closure.
context_section_description: Shibetsu station - A 762mm (2'6") gauge line was constructed between 1920-25 along the Teshio River valley to transport forestry products, extending 21.4 km to 'Upper' Shibetsu, where it connected to the Shibetsu Forest Railway. Initially horse drawn, a steam locomotive was introduced in 1928. The line closed in 1959.
  Nayoro station;
  - A 138 km line known as the Nayoro Main Line was built from Nayoro to Engaru on the Sekihoku Main Line between 1915-1921, operating until 1989. There were four lines connecting to the Nayoro Main line:
  the 20 km Kohin'nan line from Okoppe to Om, operated from 1935-85. Some construction work on a proposed extension to Kitami Esashi (see below) was undertaken before the proposal was abandoned.
  the 34 km line from Shokotsu to Kitami Takinoue, opened 1923 and closed 1985.
  the 28 km 762mm gauge line from Monbetsu to Motoyama, which operated from 1943–73
  the 6 km 762mm gauge line from Yubetsu to Saromako, which operated from 1930–39
  - Nayoro was also the junction for the Shinmei line to Fukagawa on the Hakodate Main Line, which reached the Soya line in 1941, closing in 1995. A 51.2 km line was proposed from Shumarinai on that line to Chikubetsu on the Hoboro line (see below) with construction commencing in 1959. A substantial steel truss bridge was constructed before work was abandoned in 1962.
  Bifuka station - A 21 km 762mm gauge line was built to Niupu in 1935. In 1960 it was decided to replace the line with a 1067mm gauge line and extend it 58 km to Kitami Esashi, the terminus of a line from Hamatonbetsu on the Tempoku line (see below). The 762mm gauge line closed in 1963 and the 1067mm line opened in 1964. Substantial construction of the line to Kitami Esashi continued until abandoned in 1979, after 13.3 Billion Yen had been expended. The Bifuka - Niupu section closed in 1985.
  Otoineppu station - The Tempoku line was constructed north commencing in 1914, reaching Minami-Wakkanai in 1922. It closed in 1989. This line had the Hamatonbetsu - Kitami Esashi branch line operating from 1936 until 1985. The Utanobori Municipal Tramway was a network of 762mm gauge lines, with a 16.2 km line from Shotonbetsu to Kitami Esashi and 2 branch lines, each 10 km long. It operated 1929-70, being horse drawn until 1933.
  Toyotomi station - The Nisso Coal Co. operated an 18 km line to Sanko from 1940/45 until the mine closed in 1972.
  Toikanbetsu station - The Horonobe Municipal Tramway was a 16 km 762mm gauge line to Kamitoikan, which operated 1930-71. It was extended 4 km to a coal mine in 1941, at which time a steam locomotive was introduced. The coal mine and extension closed in 1958.
  Horonobe station - The initial northern section of the Hoboro line opened in 1935. The initial southern section from Rumoi opened in 1927, and the sections were linked in 1958. The line closed in 1987.
caption: Train on the Nayoro-Engaru line, March 1973
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