Train buff

NHK broadcast a program that said the train boom has broadened recently, especially among women. I'm not surprised because I have been a train buff for years. I LOVE riding trains. But, unfortunately, I haven't been able to go riding trains since I got a dog. I wanted to conquer all of the JR lines, but I had to stop at 50%! I'm so disappointed.

I have a memory I can never forget. Once I planned to ride the Twilight Express that operates between Osaka and Sapporo. This is a sleeper express that runs the longest distance in Japan. So it was very popular and getting ticket was very hard. However, finally I managed to get a ticket. I was happy and excited but this train didn't run through the Kanto area, I had to go to Sapporo or Osaka to ride it. One day I flew to Sapporo and stayed at a hotel in preparation for riding the train the next day. The next morning I turned on the TV in bed and I heard the news. Then I saw that information of the train service had appeared on the screen. Oh my God! They said the Twilight Express was out of service! Why? Why? Why? My mind went completely blank. Suddenly I realized the reason. There was a big earthquake along the line a week ago. But I didn't think these two things would be related to each other because I had bought the ticket a month before. I was really stupid! I went to the station against my will and got a full refund. It was extremely hard to get the ticket... I felt completely frustrated, but I changed my plans immediately and enjoyed riding trains around Hokkaido.

Last year I went to Sapporo and happened to meet the Twilight Express at the platform. Tears welled in my eyes. I hope I can ride this train some time.