Odakyū Tama Line

The Odakyū Tama Line (小田急多摩線, Odakyū Tama-sen^?) is a a railway line operated by the Odakyu Electric Railway in Japan. The line runs 10.6 kilometres (6.6 mi) in the southwestern portion of Greater Tokyo, from Shin-Yurigaoka Station to Karakida Station.

Used for commuter service by the residents of Tama New Town, the largest New Town in Japan, rapid trains are often on the line, through to the terminus of the operator Shinjuku on the main line (Odawara Line) or downtown via Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. "Tama Express" trains terminate at Toride Station in Toride, Ibaraki, on the opposite side of Tokyo. Limited Express service is also provided in the evening, with "Odakyū Romance Car" EMUs.

History

This line was built as a part of Tokyo Line 9, linked with Chiyoda Line and Odawara Line, as described in Transport Policy Council Report No. 18 in 2000 from the Ministry of Transport (present Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MILT)).

Odakyū started service on the first section, from Shin-Yurigaoka to Odakyū-Nagayama, on June 1, 1974. It expanded to Tama Center, the central station of Tama New Town, on April 23, 1975. This section was constructed by the national Japan Railway Construction Corporation, since renamed the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT)), while Odakyu operated it and paid for the organization. On March 27, 1990, Odakyu opened Karakida station.

The line was constructed on double track, but Odakyū could not take a large part of the transport between Tokyo and Tama New Town. Delay of the quadrupling of the main Odawara Line prevented operating extra trains that were to connect the new town and the terminus of Shinjuku.

Rapid train service on the Tama Line began in 2000, and succeeded in increasing the number of passengers, shorting transit time.

Rapid service

Limited Express (特急, Tokkyū^?) (LE)

Down from Shinjuku, only in evenings, none to Shinjuku. Named the "Homeway", and with "Odakyū Romancecar" class EMUs.

Express (急行, Kyūkō^?) (Ex)

Up to Shinjuku or Ayase on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. One exception is down from Shin-Yurigaoka. Only morning on weekday.

Tama Express (多摩急行, Tama Kyūkō^?) (TE)

All from/to Toride on East Japan Railway Company (JR East) Jōban Line via Chiyoda Line. All day.

Section Semi Express (区間準急, Kukan Junkyū^?) (SSE)

Stops all stations in the line, from/to Shinjuku in daytime

Local (各駅停車, Kakueki Teisha^?) (Lo)

Mostly in the line only, and some from/to Shinjuku, all day long.

Stations

• Romancecar limited express trains stop at stations marked with a star (*).
• Local and section semi-express trains make all stops.