Looking back the year 2025

The last article of the year, the last article of this blog, is a little album of train photos I took in 2025.

Class DE15 locomotive as a snow removal train on Soya Main Line (also known as Soya Russell). The area is known for heavy snow, and thus a 40-year-old locomotives are in use every day.
(Otoineppu - Sakkuru, 9 February)

103 series on Chikuhi Line. The 42-year-old commuter train is still operational in the area, but soon to be replaced with a secondhand train from Rinkai Line.
(Ikisan – Kafuri, 25 March)

Toyohashi Rail Road 3200 series in "retro" livery. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the tram network in Toyohashi, the 70-year-old tram was repainted to such colours, which lasted just for ten days.
(Shinkawa - Fudagi 1 June)

As Expo 2025 was held in Osaka, many railway companies decorated their trains with Myaku-myaku, a questionable mascot character. JR West even ran such a train in Okayama Prefecture, which is far from Osaka.
(Kurashiki, 24 August)

Class 807 Evero heading towards Euston. Hitachi trains have been getting increasingly common in England since the late-2010s. They resemble Shinkansen trains in Japan, but their maximum speed remains very low.
(Hatch End, 4 September)

Kotoden 1070 series was restored to the pink livery. The small private railway in Kagawa is going to introduce brand new trains next year, by which time the 68-year-old train is highly likely to retire.
(Okamoto - Enza, 10 October)

H100 series trains at Kutchan station, as part of rail trips to Sapporo. Hakodate Main Line has been regarded for decades as the most important railway in Hokkaido, but part of it is going to be closed once high-speed rail opens.
(Kutchan, 17 November)

Overall, I really enjoyed the hobby with satisfactory results, thanks to many friends of mine who took me to such remote places. I was also fortunate to see many rural railways that are on the verge of permanent closure. Furthermore, I could visit the UK for the first time since the pandemic.

And with that, this blog comes to an end. I would like to thank all of you for your time and your support. I wish you a wonderful new year.