Yamabiko

Last updated

Yamabiko
Series-E5-U15 Yamabiko-50.jpg
E5 series set operating a Yamabiko service entering Ōmiya Station, May 2022
Overview
Service type Shinkansen (Limited-stop)
StatusOperational
Locale Honshu, Japan
First service
  • 1 February 1959 (traditional semi-express service)
  • 23 June 1982 (Shinkansen service)
Current operator JR logo (east).svg JR East
Former operator Japan National Railway
Route
Termini Tokyo
Morioka
Distance travelled496.5 km (308.5 mi)
Line used Tōhoku Shinkansen
On-board services
Classes Ordinary, Green, Gran Class [a]
Seating arrangements
  • 3+2 (Ordinary car)
  • 2+2 (Green car)
  • 1+2 (Gran Class) [a]
Technical
Rolling stock E2 and E5 series
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification Overhead line,  25 kV 50 Hz AC
Operating speed275–320 km/h (171–199 mph) [b]
Track ownerJR East

The Yamabiko (Japanese: やまびこ; lit. 'echo') [1] is a limited-stop high-speed Shinkansen service operated on the Tōhoku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Morioka by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan. [2]

Contents

Rolling stock

Former rolling stock

History

1959–1963: Semi express

On 1 February 1959, the name Yamabiko was introduced on a semi-express (準急, junkyū) service between Fukushima and Morioka on the Tōhoku Main Line. This service operated until 30 September 1963. [4]

1965–1982: Limited express

From 1 October 1965, the name was reintroduced for limited express services operating between Ueno in Tokyo and Morioka. These services continued until 22 June 1982, the day before the Tōhoku Shinkansen opened. [4]

1982–Present: Shinkansen

From the start of services on the newly opened Tōhoku Shinkansen on 23 June 1982, Yamabiko became the name used for the limited-stop shinkansen services operating initially between Ōmiya and Morioka, later between Ueno and Morioka, and eventually between Tokyo and Morioka. [4]

Since 1 July 1992, some Yamabiko services have run coupled with Tsubasa services (as of 2025 formed of E3 series or E8 Series sets) between Tokyo and Fukushima. [2]

From 19 November 2011, E5 series trainsets were introduced on some Yamabiko services, replacing the remaining 200 series-operated services. [5] [6]

Special event train services

Sayonara 200 series Yamabiko

On 30 March 2013, a special Sayonara 200 series Yamabiko (さよなら２００系やまびこ号) train operated from Morioka to Tokyo, as a farewell run for the 200 series on Yamabiko services, following the withdrawal of 200 series trains from regular scheduled services on 16 March. [3]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Gran Class is only offered on E5 series sets.
  2. ↑ Top speed of 275 km/h (171 mph) when operated with an E2 series set or when coupled to an E3 series set and 300 km/h (190 mph) when coupled to an E8 series set.

References

  1. ↑ "Jisho.org: Japanese Dictionary". jisho.org. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  2. 1 2 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.
  3. 1 2 「さよなら200系やまびこ号」運転 ["Sayonara 200 series Yamabiko" run]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 列車名鑑1995[Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995.
  5. ↑ 東北新幹線「はやぶさ」に投入しているE5系車両を「はやて」「やまびこ」に導入！ [Tohoku Shinkansen "Hayabusa" E5 series trains to be introduced on "Hayate" and "Yamabiko" services](PDF). Press release (in Japanese). Japan: East Japan Railway Company. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  6. ↑ 東北新幹線：はやてにもE5系　200系は姿消す [E5 for Tohoku Shinkansen "Hayate" also – 200 series to disappear]. Mainichi.jp (in Japanese). Japan: Mainichi Shimbun. 12 September 2011. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
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