26th Mar: The express “Taisetsu (Heavy Snow)” from Sapporo to Kitami continued to run until Abashiri but as a local commuter train. This local train was steam hauled (by C58) and the same carriage formation as “Taisetsu” was used. This train was famous amongst steam enthusiasts because it looked as the steam hauled express train ! Abashiri-Yobito, Sekihoku Main Line