In the late 1960s, at the height of Japan's steam locomotive boom, few trains captured the imagination of the public like the express “Niseko,” which connected Hakodate and Sapporo. Debuting during the major timetable revision of October 1968, it linked Hakodate and Sapporo via the scenic Hakodate Main Line. Its most legendary scenes came on the steep mountain stretch between Otaru and Oshamambe and played a vital role in the movement of both passengers and parcel freight between Honshu and Hokkaido via the Seikan ferry. One of its most iconic operations was on the mountainous stretch between Otaru and Oshamambe—nicknamed the “mountain line”—where massive C62 steam locomotives hauled the train in double-heading formation with an assisting engine at the front. This powerful image became emblematic of the steam era’s peak.

◆ This product is a re-release. The product number, price, and JAN code of the basic set have been updated. Additionally, some roof-mounted ventilators are now separately molded parts.

Composition of Trains

◆ Product Features

Details:

• Includes different car formations to accurately recreate the unique up-bound and down-bound train consists, with varying configurations of mail and baggage cars.
• Cold-climate-spec Suha 45 series passenger cars for Hokkaido feature gear-driven axle generators modeled on the bogies, plus large underfloor battery boxes typical of northern region rolling stock.
• Suro 62 is modeled in the Hokkaido-specific 500 series variant.
• Up-bound train includes a non-air-conditioned Oyu 10 mail car, featuring the distinctive deep round roof without cooler unit.
• Down-bound train includes Mani 36 baggage car, reproduced with round roof derived from the Suha 32 series donor car.