Hamanasu (train)

Last updated • 3 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Hamanasu
ED79 4 Hamanasu 20130622.jpg
A Hamanasu service in June 2013 headed by a Class ED79 electric locomotive
Overview
Service type Express
StatusDiscontinued
LocaleJapan
First service
  • June 1955 (Semi Express)
  • March 1988 (Overnight Express)
Last serviceMarch 2016
Former operator(s)
Route
Termini Aomori
Sapporo
Distance travelledApprox. 480 km
Average journey timeApprox. 7 hours 30 minutes
Service frequency1 return service daily
On-board services
Seating arrangements2+2 reclining seating
Sleeping arrangementsCompartments/carpeted floor accommodation
Catering facilitiesNone
Technical
Rolling stock 14/24 series coaches
Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification 20 kV AC / diesel
Operating speed110 km/h (70 mph) [1]

The Hamanasu (はまなす) was an overnight express train service in Japan operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), which ran from Aomori to Sapporo via the Tsugaru Line, Kaikyō Line, Esashi Line, Hakodate Main Line, Muroran Main Line, and Chitose Line. [1] The journey took 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 was discontinued in March 2016.

Contents

Rolling stock

The train was 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 was hauled by a JR Hokkaido Hakodate-based Class ED79 AC electric locomotive between Aomori and Hakodate, and by a Hakodate-based Class 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" used reclining seats from former Green cars.

Interior

Sleeping car accommodation

Seating car accommodation

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

The last Hamanasu services were discontinued in March 2016 ahead of the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen high-speed line. The last up service departed from Sapporo Station on 20 March 2016, and the last down service departed from Aomori on 21 March, arriving at Sapporo on 22 March. [6]

Reasons cited by JR Hokkaido for discontinuing the service included (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) aging rolling stock dating from 40 years ago. [7]

New JR Hokkaido Hamanasu Tourist Train

JR Hokkaido has revived the Hamanasu name giving it to one of two multi-use Series 5000 tourist trains. These trains, remodelled Series 261 DMU's, are expected to replace the Crystal Express and the North Rainbow Express. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Tsubame</i> (train) Train service in Japan

The Tsubame (つばめ) is a train service operated by Kyushu Railway Company on the Kyushu Shinkansen in Japan since 2004.

<i>Hayate</i> (train) Japanese high-speed Shinkansen service

Hayate (はやて) is a high-speed Shinkansen service operated in Japan, on the Tōhoku Shinkansen by East Japan Railway Company since 2002 and on the Hokkaido Shinkansen by JR Hokkaido since 26 March 2016. It operates as far as the northern terminus of Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, and it is the second-fastest service on the Tohoku Shinkansen. These services were inaugurated with the opening of the Tohoku Shinkansen extension to Hachinohe on 1 December 2002.

<i>Cassiopeia</i> (train) Luxury overnight limited express train service in Japan

The Cassiopeia is a luxury charter train service in Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company. It used to operate as a Limited express from July 1999 until March 2016. It ran between Ueno Station in Tokyo and the city of Sapporo in the northern island of Hokkaido. The one-way journey took approximately 161⁄2 hours.

<i>Hokutosei</i>

The Hokutosei (北斗星) was a limited express sleeping car train service in Japan which operated between Ueno Station in Tokyo and Sapporo Station in the northern island of Hokkaido, taking approximately 16½ hours. It was operated jointly by East Japan Railway Company and Hokkaido Railway Company from March 1988. The service became a seasonal service from the 14 March 2015 timetable revision, and was completely discontinued in August 2015, in preparation for the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen.

<i>White Arrow</i> Japanese limited express train service

The White Arrow, and later Super White Arrow were limited express train services operated by Hokkaido Railway Company on the Hakodate Main Line between the cities of Sapporo and Asahikawa in Hokkaido, Japan, between 1986 and 2007.

<i>Twilight Express</i>

The Twilight Express was a limited express sleeping car train service operated by West Japan Railway Company in Japan from 1989 until March 2015. It ran between the city of Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido and Osaka in south-western Honshu, a distance of approximately 1,500 km (930 mi), with the journey taking between 22 and 23 hours. From May 2015 until March 2016, the train operated as a luxury cruise train between Osaka and Shimonoseki in western Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hakodate Station</span> Railway station in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan

Hakodate Station is a railway station on the Hakodate Main Line in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan, operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hakuchō (train)</span> Japanese limited express train service

The Hakuchō and Super Hakuchō (スーパー白鳥) were Japanese limited express train services which operated between Shin-Aomori and Hakodate via the undersea Seikan Tunnel from December 2002 until March 2016. The services were operated by East Japan Railway Company and Hokkaido Railway Company respectively.

<i>Hayabusa</i> (train) Japanese high-speed shinkansen service

The Hayabusa is a high-speed Shinkansen service operated by East Japan Railway Company and Hokkaido Railway Company between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto in Japan since 26 March 2016. The name was formerly used for a limited express sleeping car service operated by JR Kyushu, which ran from Tokyo to Kumamoto, and was discontinued in March 2009.

<i>Nihonkai</i> (train)

The Nihonkai was a seasonal overnight train which was operated by the East Japan Railway Company. The train ran 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.

<i>Kamui</i> (train) Train service in Japan

The Kamui (カムイ) is a limited express train service operated by Hokkaido Railway Company since 2007 on the Hakodate Main Line, connecting Sapporo and Asahikawa in Hokkaido, Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Okhotsk (train)</span> Express train service between Sapporo and Abashiri, Japan

The Okhotsk is a limited express train service in Japan operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company, which runs between Sapporo and Abashiri. There are two services per day running in both directions, with the journey time taking approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. Trains operate at a maximum speed of 110 km/h. It is named after the Sea of Okhotsk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarobetsu (train)</span>

The Sarobetsu (サロベツ) is a limited express train service between Asahikawa and Wakkanai in Hokkaido, Japan, which is operated by Hokkaido Railway Company. Two trains per day operate in each direction, with the journey taking approximately 3 hours 45 minutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akebono (train)</span> Overnight train service in Japan

The Akebono (あけぼの) was a seasonal limited express sleeper train service operated by East Japan Railway Company, which ran from Ueno Station in Tokyo to Aomori, via the Joetsu Line, Uetsu Main Line and Ou Main Line. The journey took approximately 12 hours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuran</span> Train service in Japan

Suzuran is a limited express train service operated by Hokkaido Railway Company between Muroran and Sapporo in Hokkaido, Japan. The current limited express service was introduced in July 1992, but the name was first used from 1956 for an express service operated by JNR between Hakodate and Sapporo.

<i>Noto</i> (train) Japanese seasonal overnight express train service

The Noto (能登) was a seasonal overnight express train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company, which runs between Ueno Station in Tokyo and Kanazawa via the Shinetsu Main Line and Hokuriku Main Line. The journey takes approximately seven hours. The train was operated as a regular daily service by West Japan Railway Company until 13 March 2010, with operations transferred to JR East from this date. While JR East has not formally announced its discontinuation, no services have operated since February 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">789 series</span> Japanese train type

The 789 series (789系) is an AC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Hokkaido Railway Company on limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan, since 2002. Two variants exist: the original 789 series for use on Lilac services, and the 789-1000 series for use on Kamui and Suzuran services. Also, it has three related train types, the KiHa 261 series, KiHa 281 series and KiHa 283 series, all of which run on diesel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lilac (train)</span> Japanese limited express train service

The Lilac is a limited express train service operated by Hokkaido Railway Company between Sapporo and Asahikawa in Hokkaido via the Hakodate Main Line since 4 March 2017. The Lilac train service name was also formerly used for express and limited express services operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later by JR Hokkaido between 1963 and 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myōkō (train)</span> Japanese limited-stop train service (1997–2015)

The Myōkō (妙高) was a limited-stop "Rapid" train service in Japan operated by the East Japan Railway Company between Nagano and Naoetsu on the Shinetsu Main Line from October 1997 until March 2015. The train was named after Mount Myōkō on the boundary between Nagano and Niigata Prefecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JNR Class ED79</span> Japanese electric locomotive type

The Class ED79 (ED79形) was a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement AC electric locomotive type operated on passenger and freight services in the north of Japan from 1986, originally by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and later by Hokkaido Railway Company and Japan Freight Railway Company until 2016.

References

  1. 1 2 3 JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル[JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. 2008. ISBN   978-4-330-00608-6.
  2. ↑ "JR Timetable" October 2009 issue
  3. ↑ Kato, Masaru (February 2011). 孤高の客車急行"はまなす"[The sole loco-hauled express - "Hamanasu"]. Japan Railfan Magazine . Vol. 51, no. 598. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 32–37.
  4. 1 2 列車名鑑1995[Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995.
  5. 1 2 3 Kekke, Yoshiyuki (Spring 2004). 現役急行列車ガイド[Guide to Express Trains Still in Operation]. Jtrain. Japan: Ikaros Publications. 13: 12–15.
  6. ↑ 寝台急行「はまなす」最後の旅 札幌発、青森行き [Last journey on the "Hamanasu" sleeping car express from Sapporo to Aomori]. Sankei Photo Journal (in Japanese). Japan: The Sankei Shimbun & Sankei Digital. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  7. ↑ 夜行急行：「はまなす」廃止へ 北海道新幹線や老朽化で [Overnight express "Hamanasu" to be scrapped - Due to Hokkaido Shinkansen and ageing stock]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). Japan: The Mainichi Newspapers. 6 September 2015. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  8. ↑ "JR Hokkaido unveils the first of two new tourist trains | TrainReview". trainreview.com. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.