Train buffs join forces online to save Japan's fading railway assets

We've got one a "financially struggling local railway" near us. In many years, it stops running for a month or two due to avalanches or landslides, so people cannot ultimately rely on it. There is a road running completely parallel to the line, so it is not essential infrastructure. Train buffs are suggested as a reason to keep the line open, but it strikes me as a big waste of money. Many of the most picturesque lines in Japan only have a dozen trains a day, and they will all be single carriage.

Note also that whenever a Shinkansen line is built, the expresses on the existing lines (zairaisen) lose a good chunk of their passengers, sending them into the red. It is standard practice for JR to dump them onto the local taxpayer. Such expresses remain essential because the Shinkansen is far too expensive for day to day use.

They could start by reforming the dirty squat toilets and in stalling a lift at my local JR toilet. An extractor fan may also be a bonus. Lots of tourist use this station. And all residents are old and have trouble with stairs.

Bailing out failing railways? Really?