Biwako Express

Biwako Express

Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	Operational
Predecessor	Biwako Liner
First service	2 June 2003
Current operator(s)	JR West
Route
Start	Osaka
End	Kusatsu/Maibara
Distance travelled	110.5 km (68.7 mi)
Average journey time	approx. 1 hr 25 mins
Line used	Tokaido Main Line (Biwako Line and JR Kyoto Line)
On-board services
Class(es)	Ordinary + Green
Catering facilities	None
Technical
Rolling stock	683 series EMUs, KiHa 189 series DMUs
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	1,500 V DC overhead
Operating speed	130 km/h (80 mph)

The Biwako Express (びわこエクスプレス Biwako Ekusupuresu) is a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between Osaka and Maibara or Kusatsu in Japan since June 2003. It replaced the previous Biwako Liner services.^[1]

Service pattern

As of April 2016, one weekday morning service (Biwako Express 1) runs from Maibara to Osaka, and two weekday evening services (Biwako Express 2 & 4) run from Osaka to Kusatsu and Maibara respectively, with the journey time from Osaka to Maibara taking approximately 1 hour 25 minutes.^[2]

Rolling stock

• 683 series 9-car EMU sets
• KiHa 189 series 3-car DMU (since March 2014)

Services were initially operated using the nine-car 681 series or 683 series EMUs used on Thunderbird services.^[1]

• 

  A 683-4000 series EMU

• 

  A KiHa 189 series DMU

Formations

Biwako Express 1 and 4

Biwako Express 1 and 4 (between Osaka and Maibara) are formed as follows, with car 1 at the Maibara end.^[2]

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Accommodation	Green	Reserved	Reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved

Biwako Express 2

Biwako Express 2 (Osaka to Kusatsu) is formed as follows, with car 1 at the Osaka end.^[2]

Car No.	1	2	3
Accommodation	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Reserved
Facilities			Wheelchair-accessible toilet

• All cars are standard class and no-smoking.^[2]
• Trains run as 6-car formations during busy periods.^[2]

History

The Biwako Express services were introduced from 2 June 2003.^[3]

The services were made entirely no-smoking from 1 June 2009.^[4]

See also

• List of named passenger trains of Japan

References

1. JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2008. p. 40. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
2. JR時刻表 [JR Timetable] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. March 2016. pp. 110, 985.
3. 特急｢びわこエクスプレス」の運転、 特急｢はるか｣の米原延長運転の開始 [Start of Biwako Express limited express service and extension of Haruka services to Maibara]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 11 October 2003. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
4. 在来線特急列車などの全席禁煙化ならびに在来線ホームの禁煙化の拡大について [Complete ban of smoking on limited express trains and station platforms]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2016.

External links

• JR West 683 series Biwako Express (Japanese)
• JR West KiHa 189 series Biwako Express (Japanese)