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Worldview: The Hakugin Trunk Line In the northern part of a country that has become one of the world's heaviest snowfall regions, winter brings snow depths of several meters, reaching over ten meters in mountainous areas. Roads are closed by blizzards, and airports face constant cancellations. In this environment, the railway is the only thing supporting the people's lives. In this world, the railway is not just transportation. Food, fuel, medicine, mail, and daily necessities—all supplies are carried by rail. Patients heading to hospitals, students going to school, and workers commuting to their jobs all rely on the train. That is why people say: "If the train stops, the town stops." Municipalities along the line have built a massive snow removal system in cooperation with the railway company. Russell plows and rotary snowplows are deployed day and night, protecting the tracks even in the middle of blizzards. The Railway Company: Hokusetsu Railway Hokusetsu Railway is a massive company that cuts across the heavy snow zones. Their management philosophy is simple: "Keep it running, no matter the blizzard." They prioritize continuity of service over punctuality; while minor delays are tolerated, suspension of service is the absolute last resort. Stations are often equipped with large-scale stockpiling warehouses, serving as regional shelters during disasters. The Role of the Station The station is the heart of the town and its lifeline. Hospitals Schools Shops Government offices Most of these are concentrated around the station. Small stations deep in the mountains are never abolished, even if they only serve a few hundred people a day. This is because the priority is not passenger numbers, but the fact that "If this station disappears, the settlement will be isolated." The Winter Battle When winter arrives, railway workers begin their war against the snow. Midnight. Snow removal trains depart long before the first passenger service. They carve out the tracks while moving through blizzards with only a few meters of visibility. By the time morning comes, passenger trains begin to run. Every time the passengers see them, they think: "The train came today, too." It is not taken for granted; it is the result of the railway workers' tireless efforts. Public Perception In this world, railway workers are highly respected. Not just drivers and conductors, but Maintenance crews Electrical technicians Snow removal teams Dispatchers All are treated like heroes. Among children's dreams for the future, "Snowplow Driver" stands alongside "Doctor" and "Teacher." The Motto There is a famous saying in this region: "Snow can close a town. But the railway connects it." On blizzard-filled nights and mornings with avalanche risks, a single train continues to run across the silver landscape. The lights of that train are not just headlights to the people. They are the very hope that "This town is alive today."