Hamanasu (train)

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Hamanasu
300px
Hamanasu service at Sapporo Station, January 2005
Overview
Service type Express
Status Operational
Locale Japan
First service <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
  • June 1955 (Semi Express)
  • March 1988 (Overnight Express)
Last service March 2016 (scheduled)
Current operator(s) JR Hokkaido
Former operator(s) JNR
Route
Start Aomori
End Sapporo
Distance travelled Approx. 480 km
Average journey time Approx. 7 hours 30 minutes
Service frequency 1 return service daily
On-board services
Seating arrangements 2+2 reclining seating
Sleeping arrangements Compartments/carpeted floor accommodation
Catering facilities None
Technical
Rolling stock 14/24 series coaches
Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification 20 kV AC / diesel
Operating speed 110 km/h (70 mph)[1]

The Hamanasu (はまなす?) is an overnight express train service in Japan operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), which runs from Aomori to Sapporo via the Tsugaru Line, Kaikyo Line, Esashi Line, Hakodate Main Line, Muroran Main Line, and Chitose Line.[1] The journey takes approximately seven and a half hours.[2] Following the withdrawal of the Ginga overnight express service between Tokyo and Osaka in 2008, the Hamanasu became the only locomotive-hauled express service in Japan. The service is scheduled to be discontinued from March 2016.

Rolling stock

Hamanasu service at Aomori Station, headed by an ED79 locomotive, January 2005
File:Hamanasu-coach.jpg
Rear of Hamanasu service at Aomori Station, March 2007

The train is formed of 14 and 24 series seating cars and sleeping cars based at JR Hokkaido's Sapporo Depot, typically consisting of 7 cars. The train is hauled by a JR Hokkaido Hakodate-based ED79 AC electric locomotive between Aomori and Hakodate, and by a Hakodate-based DD51 diesel locomotive between Hakodate and Sapporo.[1]

The typical formation in 2010 was as follows.[3]

  1. SuHaNeFu 14-550 (Sleeping car with generator)
  2. OHaNe 24-500 (Sleeping car)
  3. SuHaFu 14-550 (Non-reserved seating car with generator)
  4. OHa 14-500 (Reserved "Nobinobi Carpet" sleeping car)
  5. OHa 14-500 (Reserved "Dream car" seating car)
  6. OHa 14-500 (Reserved "Dream car" seating car)
  7. SuHaFu 14-500 (Non-reserved seating car with generator)

The "Dream cars" use reclining seats from former Green cars.

Interior

Sleeping car accommodation

  • .JR Hokkaido night train express"Hamanasu" B sleeping-car.JPG

    Sleeping car interior, January 2009

  • Hamanasu Carpet Car Aomori 20040717.jpeg

    "Nobinobi Carpet" car interior, July 2004

  • JR Hokkaido night train express"Hamanasu""Carpet-car" (second floor seat).JPG

    "Nobinobi Carpet" car interior (upper level)

Seating car accommodation

  • JR Hokkaido night train express"Hamanasu"Reserved seat.JPG

    Reserved seating

  • JR Hokkaido night train express"Hamanasu"Unreserved seat.JPG

    Non-reserved seating

History

The Hamanasu was introduced on 1 June 1955 as a semi-express operating between Hakodate and Abashiri via Sapporo. From 1 October 1961, this was upgraded to Express status as a service operating between Sapporo and Abashiri. This operated until 30 September 1968, when the services were integrated with the Taisetsu (大雪?) express services.[4]

The Hamanasu name was revived from 13 March 1988 for use on overnight express services between Aomori and Sapporo following the opening of the Seikan Tunnel.[5] Initially, the train consisted of five 14 series seating cars only (with two designated as reserved seating cars), but from July 1991, two sleeping cars were included in the formation.[4][5] From March 1997, a "Nobinobi Carpet" sleeping car was also added.[5]

Withdrawal plans

Hamanasu services are scheduled to be discontinued from March 2016, following the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen.[6] Reasons cited by JR Hokkaido for discontinuing the service include (1) the locomotives used to haul the train through the Seikan Tunnel not being able to operate through the tunnel after March 2016, (2) the lack of funds to purchase new locomotives, (3) the difficulties in securing paths through the tunnel at night due to inspections of the shinkansen infrastructure, and (4) ageing rolling stock dating from 40 years ago.[7]

See also

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

Cite error: Invalid <references> tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.

Use <references />, or <references group="..." />

External links


  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ "JR Timetable" October 2009 issue
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Hamanasu_(train)&oldid=4495911"