Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line

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     Hokuhoku Line

A 683 series Hakutaka limited express train at Echigo-Yuzawa Station, July 2005
Overview
Locale Niigata Prefecture
Termini Muikamachi
Saigata
Stations 12
Operation
Owner Hokuetsu Express
Technical
Line length 59.5 km (37.0 mi)
Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification 1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Operating speed 160 km/h (100 mph)
Route map

The Hokuhoku Line (ほくほく線 Hokuhoku-sen) is a Japanese railway line in Niigata Prefecture, between Muikamachi in Minamiuonuma and Saigata in Jōetsu. This is the only railway line Hokuetsu Express (北越急行 Hokuetsu Kyūkō) operates. Construction began in 1968 was begun by the Japanese National Railways (JNR), and was finally completed as a third sector line in 1997.

Unlike most other third sector company lines, the line is steadily making profits. This is because the shortest rail link between Kantō and Hokuriku is to use Jōetsu Shinkansen, stop at Echigo-Yuzawa, and transfer to the Hakutaka express service on the Hokuhoku Line. However, most of these users are expected to use the Hokuriku Shinkansen when it is extended to Kanazawa in 2014. The maximum line speed of 160 km/h (100 mph) is the fastest non shinkansen JR service in the country. Keisei also operates Skyliner services to Narita Airport at 160 km/h.

Passing loops

There are three passing loops on the Hokuhoku Line. Each has one bi-directional through road with straight track to allow full line speed.

Akakura

Between Uonumakyūryō and Misashima in Tōkamachi, Niigata. It is in Akakura tunnel.

Yakushitōge

Between Tōkamachi and Matsudai in Tōkamachi, Niigata. It is in Yakushitōge tunnel.

Gimyō

Between Matsudai and Hokuhoku-Ōshima in Tōkamachi, Niigata. It is in Nabetaniyama tunnel.

Stations

The Hokuhoku line is entirely in Niigata Prefecture.

  • Stopping patterns:
● Stop
｜Pass
  • Track:
∥: Double-track section
◇: Passing track in single-track section
｜: Single-track section
∨: Double-track section ends
∧: Double-track section begins
Line name Station Japanese Distance from
Muikamachi Station
(km)		 Rapid Transfers   Location
Jōetsu Line
Echigo-Yuzawa 越後湯沢 17.6 ● Jōetsu Shinkansen, Jōetsu Line (for Takasaki, Gala-Yuzawa) ∥ Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District
(Ishiuchi)[Note 1] (石打) 11.2 |   ∥ Minamiuonuma
(Ōsawa)[Note 1] (大沢) 7.2 |   ∥
Jōetsu-Kokusai-Ski-jō-mae[Note 2] 上越国際スキー場前 6.2 |   ∥
Shiozawa[Note 3] 塩沢 3.9 |   ∥
Muikamachi 六日町 0.0 ● Jōetsu Line (for Miyauchi) ∨
Hokuhoku Line
Uonuma-Kyūryō 魚沼丘陵 3.6 |   ｜ Tōkamachi
Misashima 美佐島 12.2 |   ｜
Shinza しんざ 14.4 |   ｜
Tōkamachi 十日町 15.9 ● Iiyama Line ◇
Matsudai まつだい 29.2 ●   ◇
Hokuhoku-Ōshima ほくほく大島 38.6 ●   ｜ Jōetsu
Mushigawa-Ōsugi 虫川大杉 44.8 ●   ◇
Uragawara うらがわら 46.8 ●   ｜
Ōike-Ikoi-no-mori[Note 3] 大池いこいの森 51.7 |   ｜
Kubiki くびき 53.6 ●   ◇
Saigata 犀潟 59.5 ● Shinetsu Main Line (for Niigata) ∧
Shinetsu Main Line
(Kuroi)[Note 1] (黒井) 63.9 |   ∥
Naoetsu 直江津 66.6 ● Shinetsu Main Line (for Nagano)
Hokuriku Main Line		 ∥
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Not served by Hokuhoku Line services.
  2. ↑ Open during the winter skiing season only.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Some services do not stop.

See also

External links

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