“What was the Keisei Shirahige Line?” a question often asked about this short-lived railway. Today we explore the Keisei Shirahige Line. It existed in Tokyo’s墨田 Ward. This line operated for only eight years.
The Keisei Shirahige Line ran a mere 1.4 kilometers. Its story is one of ambition. It shows Keisei’s struggles to reach central Tokyo.
In the Taisho era, Keisei’s main line ended at Oshiage. Keisei wanted access to Asakusa and Ueno. They applied to extend their lines. The Shirahige Line was their only approved project.
The Keisei Shirahige Line aimed to connect with the王子 Electric Railway. This line is now the都電 Arakawa Line. The plan was to link at Minowa Bridge. A further extension to Nippori was also planned.
The line started from Oshiage Station. It ran to Shirahige Station. Shirahige Station was near the Shirahige Bridge. The line had four stations. They were Mukojima, Nagatsuka, Keisei-Yotsugi, and Shirahige.
Initially, trains ran directly from Oshiage to Shirahige. Passenger numbers were low. The Keisei Shirahige Line then mostly used shuttle services. A single train would run back and forth.
Keisei absorbed the筑波 High-Speed Electric Railway in 1930. This gave them rights to build to Ueno. By 1933, Keisei opened a new line from Aoto to Ueno Park.
This new line made the Keisei Shirahige Line redundant. The Keisei Shirahige Line closed in 1936, only eight years after opening. Mukojima Station also closed in 1943.
After closure, Keisei planned to convert the line to a bus route. This never happened. The land was sold for housing.
Today, traces of the Keisei Shirahige Line are hard to find. The area is now residential. The line’s history is mostly forgotten.永井荷風 wrote about the Yotsugi Station ruins in his book墨東綺譚. This offers a glimpse into the line’s past.
The Keisei Shirahige Line represents Keisei’s early struggles. It highlights their determination to reach central Tokyo. Though short-lived, it played a role in Keisei’s development. It helped shape Tokyo’s railway network. So next time you cross the Sumida River remember the Keisei Shirahige Line.