Nihonkai
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(Redirected from Nihonkai (train))
| Nihonkai | |
| |
|---|---|
| EF81 locomotive on Nihonkai service at Ōsaka Station, September 2006 | |
| Service type | Limited express |
| Operator | JR East |
| Maximum speed | 110 km/h [1] |
| Started | 1950 |
| Rolling stock | 24 series sleeping cars |
Nihonkai (日本海) is an overnight train that 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, Shin'etsu Main Line, Uetsu Main Line, and Ōu Main Line.
Contents |
Area of operations
The Nihonkai operates between Osaka Station and Aomori Station on the following lines:
There are two trains that operate everyday of the year. The journey time is around fifteen hours, depending on the exact route taken.
Formation
Locomotive
The Nihonkai is hauled by an EF81 electric locomotive dispatched from Tsuruga and operated by JR West Fukui Operations Center.
Passenger cars
- Nihonkai 1 and 4
- 24 series cars based at JR East Aomori depot
- 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
- ●：Stop
- ↓・↑：Pass, does not stop
- ■ or ■ indicates areas where the Class B cars can be used as a normal (non-sleeper) Limited Express seat.
- ■ indicates a Standing Seat Limited Express Ticket (similar to non-reserved ticket) can be used.
- ■ indicates a reserved seat ticket is required.
| Train name→ | Nihonkai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ↓Station name＼number→ | 1 | 4 | ||
| Osaka | ● | ● | ||
| Shin-Ōsaka | ● | ● | ||
| Kyoto | ● | ● | ||
| Tsuruga | ● | ● | ||
| Fukui | ● | ● | ||
| Kagaonsen | ● | ● | ||
| Kanazawa | ● | ● | ||
| Takaoka | ● | ● | ||
| Toyama | ● | ● | ||
| Uozu | ● | ● | ||
| Itoigawa | ● | ● | ||
| Naoetsu | ● | ● | ||
| Niitsu | ● | ↑ | ||
| Tsuruoka | ● | ● | ||
| Sakata | ● | ● | ||
| Ugo-Honjō | ● | ● | ||
| Akita | ● | ● | ||
| Higashi-Noshiro | ● | ● | ||
| Takanosu | ● | ● | ||
| Ōdate Station | ● | ● | ||
| Ōwani | ● | ● | ||
| Hirosaki | ● | ● | ||
| Aomori | ● | ● | ||
History
- July 311924: With the completion of the Uetsu Main Line, an express running between Kobe Station and Aomori Station was created, however from Toyama Station north, it ran as a local train.
- August 151926: The entire trip to Aomori Station was switched to Express Service.
- September 151929: The service diagram was revised so that travel was between Osaka Station and Aomori Station.
- February 11943: The express train between Osaka Station and Aomori Station ceased operation.
- July 51947: An express train that would become the origin of the Nihonkai began passenger service between Osaka Station and Aomori Station.
- November 81950: The above-mentioned express train was formally christened "Nihonkai".
- February 91961: While the Nihonkai was traveling on the Uetsu Main Line, the ground under the tracks collapsed causing a derailment. The C57 steam locomotive was seriously damaged.
- October 11968: With the introduction of the 20 series Passenger Car (Sleeper Car), the Nihonkai became an Overnight Limited Express train. Furthermore, the Nihonkai became a newly created Overnight Limited Express, the former Overnight Express became the new Kitaguni.
- 1969: While in the Hokuriku Tunnel a fire broke out on-board the Nihonkai. Three years later, on-board the Kitaguni an identical fire broke out, and killed thirty people.
- March 101975: The Nihonkai began using the Kosei Line. Also, the change to 14 series passenger cars was made, however the inclusion of a dining car was ceased. The 14 series cars which were used for special and seasonal trains began running two trains in each direction. Later in 1976, the train switched to using 24/25 series cars. At this time, the use of a train headboard on the locomotive was discontinued.
- October 21978: The Nihonkai, which had been running as a seasonal train, was upgraded to regular service, running one train in each direction. All trains used 24/25 series cars following the withdrawal of 14 series cars from service.
- November 151982: The Kitaguni, which was running the same route as the Nihonkai, was changed to service Niigata Station. Because of this, the number of overnight trains servicing Aomori Station from Osaka Station was reduced to just one.
- February 11984: The use of the "Nihonkai" locomotive headboard was resumed.
- 1986: During the summer, Nihonkai 1 and 4 had a Mani 50 luggage car attached in order to carry motorbikes. This ceased in 1998.
- 1987: Nihonkai 2 and 3 began operating with Class A accommodation cars.
- March 121988: With the opening of the Seikan Tunnel, JR West extended Nihonkai's area of service from Aomori Station to Hakodate Station. On the day before the tunnel was to open 12 March, the first Hakodate Station bound train left Osaka Station. The next day when the tunnel was opened, the Overnight Limited Express Hokutosei was already in route and holds the honor of being the first Overnight Train to pass through the tunnel.
- 1989: The Twilight Express, operating to and from Sapporo Station, began operation. However, in consideration of Nihonkai 1 and 4, the Twilight Express did not stop in Oshima Subprefecture. It stopped only in Iburi Subprefecture and Ishikari Subprefecture.
- December 1998: After the Overnight Limited Express Seto was changed to the 285 series Sunrise Express, an excess of 25 series Class A Single Deluxe Private Compartment Cars became available and then began use on Nihonkai 1 and 4.
- October 23–November 28,2004: Due to the effects of the Niigata-ken Chūetsu Earthquake, all trains on all lines in Niigata Prefecture stopped running.
- November 292004: Nihonkai 1 and 4 resumed service. However, when operating between Nagaoka Station and Kashiwazaki Station, trains operated at very slow speeds. Nihonkai 2 and 3 did not resume service for some time after the earthquake.
- December 132004: Nihonkai 2 and 3 resumed service. As above, it operated at slow speed.
- December 252005–January 182006: Due to a derailment accident on the Uetsu Main Line, all trains on the line ceased operations.
- March 182006: Due to a decrease in the number of passengers, Nihonkai 1 and 4 ceased service to Hakodate Station, and returned to originating and terminating at Aomori Station.
- July 13–August 8,2006: Service is suspended due to a landslide on the Uetsu Main Line between Koiwagawa Station and Atsumi Onsen Station.
- December 252007: JR West announces that the Nihonkai 2 and 3 services will be discontinued from the March 15, 2008 timetable revision due to falling passenger numbers.
References
- ↑ "ＪＲ新幹線＆特急列車ファイル" (JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File), published 2008 by Kōtsū Shimbun
External links
- JRおでかけネット・日本海 (Japanese)
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