Tsubame (train)

Tsubame

800 series Tsubame
Overview
Service type Shinkansen
Locale Kyushu Shinkansen
First service 1 October 1930 (Limited express)
13 March 2004 (Shinkansen)
Current operator(s) JR Kyushu
Former operator(s) JNR
On-board services
Class(es) Standard only
Catering facilities Trolley refreshment service
Technical
Rolling stock 800 series/N700-7000 series/N700-8000 series
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Electrification 25 kV AC, 60 Hz
Operating speed 260 km/h (160 mph)[1]

The Tsubame (つばめ) is a train service operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) on the Kyushu Shinkansen in Japan since 2004.[1]

The word tsubame (燕) in Japanese means "swallow", and has been used on a succession of limited express trains on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Main Line in Japan since 1930.[2]

History

Pre-war

The Tsubame name (originally written as "燕") was first used from 1 October 1930 for limited express services operating between Tokyo and Kobe, hauled by JNR Class C51 and JNR Class C53 steam locomotives. These services operated until 30 September 1943.[2]

Post-war

The name was revived (this time written as "つばめ") from 1 January 1950 for limited express services operating between Tokyo and Osaka, hauled by JNR Class C62 steam and JNR Class EF58 electric locomotives, and later by 151 series EMUs. From 1 October 1964, following the opening of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, the name was reassigned to limited express trains operating between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. From 1 October 1965, services were extended to operate between Nagoya and Hakata, operated by 481 and 583 series EMUs. These services continued until 9 March 1975.[2]

JR Kyushu

The Tsubame name was once again revived by JR Kyushu from 15 July 1992 for limited express services operating on the Kagoshima Main Line between Mojiko/Hakata and Nishi-Kagoshima (now Kagoshima-Chūō Station), operated using new 787 series EMUs in 6-, 7-, or 11-car formations.[2][3] These services operated until 12 March 2004, the day before the new Kyushu Shinkansen opened.

Relay Tsubame (787 series) at Hakata Station, 2007

With the start of services on the Kyushu Shinkansen between Shin-Yatsushiro and Kagoshima-Chūō from 13 March 2004, new Relay Tsubame services commenced on the Kagoshima Main Line between Hakata and Shin-Yatsushiro using 787 series EMUs in 7-, 8-, and 11-car formations.[1] The operation of the Relay Tsubame service was unique, as it was the only station in Japan where normal trains stopped at platforms adjacent to the shinkansen platforms. This was to facilitate transfer of passengers from shinkansen to Relay Tsubame and vice versa. Normally, shinkansen platforms are physically separated from normal train platforms with fare gates and may be at a different level (usually above the normal train platforms).

When the remainder of the Kyushu Shinkansen was opened on 12 March 2011, the Tsubame became an all-stations service (similar to the Kodama on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen) operating primarily between Hakata and Kumamoto. Services operate twice per hour in each direction during the morning and evening, and once per hour during the middle of the day. Some Tsubame services also run to/from Kagoshima-Chūō.[4]

Formations

N700 series (except 323, 325, 327, 378)

(All cars are no smoking except for smoking compartments in cars 3 and 7.)

←Kagoshima-ChūōHakata→
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
NR NR NR R R R G R R

N700 series (Tsubame 323, 325, 327)

(All cars are no smoking except for smoking compartments in cars 3 and 7.)

←Kagoshima-ChūōHakata→
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
NR NR NR NR NR R G R R

N700 series (Tsubame 378)

(All cars are no smoking except for smoking compartments in cars 3 and 7.)

←Kagoshima-ChūōSendai→
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
NR NR NR NR NR NR G NR NR

800 series (except 381, 320, 321, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 376)

(All cars are no smoking.)

←Kagoshima-ChūōHakata→
1 2 3 4 5 6
NR NR NR R R R

800 series (Tsubame 381, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 376)

(All cars are no smoking.)

←Kagoshima-ChūōHakata→
1 2 3 4 5 6
NR NR NR NR R R

800 series (Tsubame 321)

(All cars are no smoking.)

←Kagoshima-ChūōSendai→
1 2 3 4 5 6
NR NR NR NR NR NR

References

  1. 1 2 3 JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File] (in Japanese). Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. August 2008. pp. 14–15. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
  2. 1 2 3 4 列車名鑑1995 [1995 Train Name Directory] (in Japanese). Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995.
  3. ↑ こだわりの新幹線＆特急列車ガイド [In-depth Shinkansen & Limited Express Train Guide] (in Japanese). Japan: Ikaros Publishing. July 2000. pp. 166–169. ISBN 4-87149-284-2.
  4. ↑ 平成23年春ダイヤ改正 [Spring 2011 timetable revision] (Press release) (in Japanese). JR Kyushu. 2010-12-17. Retrieved 2010-12-19.

External links

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