Nihonkai (train)

Nihonkai

EF81 locomotive on a Nihonkai train at Ōsaka Station, September 2006
Overview
Service type Limited express
Status Operational
Locale Honshu, Japan
First service 1950
Current operator(s) JR East
Former operator(s) JNR
Route
Start Osaka
End Aomori
Line used Tōkaidō Main Line, Kosei Line, Hokuriku Main Line, Shinetsu Main Line, Uetsu Main Line, Ōu Main Line
Technical
Rolling stock 24 series sleeper coaches
Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification 1,500 V DC / 20 kV AC (50 Hz)
Operating speed 110 km/h (70 mph)[1]
24 series passenger cars used on Nihonkai service (rear view)

The Nihonkai (日本海, "Sea of Japan") is a seasonal overnight train which is operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East). The train runs overnight between Osaka Station and Aomori Station using the Tōkaidō Main Line, Kosei Line, Hokuriku Main Line, Shinetsu Main Line, Uetsu Main Line, and Ōu Main Line.

From the start of the March 17, 2012 timetable revision, regular operations of the Nihonkai were discontinued, with services operating during busy seasonal periods only.[2]

Operations

The Nihonkai operates between Osaka Station and Aomori Station on the following lines:

There are two trains which operate daily. The journey time is around fifteen hours, depending on the exact route taken.

Formation

Locomotive

The Nihonkai is hauled by a JNR Class EF81 electric locomotive based at Tsuruga and operated by JR West Fukui Operations Center.

Passenger cars

  • Generator car: Kani 24
  • Car No. 1: Orone 25-300: Class A single deluxe private compartments
  • Car No. 2: Ohane 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
  • Car No. 3: Ohane 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
  • Car No. 4: Ohanefu 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
  • Car No. 5: Ohanefu 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
  • Car No. 6: Ohane 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
  • Car No. 7: Ohane 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
  • Car No. 8: Ohanefu 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
  • Car Nos. 9-11: Ohane 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
  • Car No. 12: Ohanefu 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
  • During the off-season, Car Nos. 9-12 are not used.

Conductors for the train are managed by the Ōsaka Conductors Office.

Designated stops

Station
Osaka
Shin-Osaka
Kyoto
Tsuruga
Fukui
Kagaonsen
Kanazawa
Takaoka
Toyama
Uozu
Itoigawa
Naoetsu
Niitsu
Tsuruoka
Sakata
Ugo-Honjō
Akita
Higashi-Noshiro
Takanosu
Ōdate Station
Ōwani
Hirosaki
Shin-Aomori
Aomori

History

See also

References

  1. JR新幹線&特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. 2008. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
  2. 2012年3月ダイヤ改正について [March 2012 Timetable Revision] (pdf) (in Japanese). Japan: East Japan Railway Company. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
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