Hokuhoku Line

Hokuhoku Line
A 681 series Hakutaka limited express train at Mushigawa-Ōsugi Station, September 2014
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 by the Japanese National Railways (JNR), and it was finally completed as a third sector line in 1997, including the 10,472 m (6.5 mi) Akakura Tunnel, the longest on a non-JR line.

Unlike most other third sector company lines, the line made steady profits. Until the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in 2015, the shortest rail link between Kantō and Hokuriku was to take the Jōetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa and then transfer to the Hakutaka express service on the Hokuhoku Line. The maximum line speed of 160 km/h (100 mph) is the fastest non-Shinkansen service in the country, matched only by the Keisei Skyliner services to Narita Airport (also at 160 km/h).

Services

Upon the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen on 14 March 2015, the thirteen express services in each direction^[1] of the Hokuhoku Line, which had run from 1997 with an average daily ridership of 6,900 passengers, were cancelled^[2] and replaced by a daily special rapid service in each direction. Since then the services are:^[3]

• 14 local services each day
• An early morning and evening rapid service from Naoetsu to Echigo-Yuzawa with a lunchtime service in the opposite direction
• A single special rapid service, from Echigo-Yuzawa to Naoetsu in the morning returning in the evening
• Two additional or extended Yumezora local services on the weekends and public holidays

Passing loops

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

Akakura

Between Uonumakyūryō and Misashima in Tōkamachi, Niigata. It is in the 10472m Akakura tunnel.

Yakushitōge

Between Tōkamachi and Matsudai in Tōkamachi, Niigata. It is in the 6199m Yakushitōge tunnel.

Gimyō

Between Matsudai and Hokuhoku-Ōshima in Tōkamachi, Niigata. It is in the 9130m Nabetachiyama 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

See also

• List of railway companies in Japan
• List of railway lines in Japan

References

This article also incorporates material from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia

External links

• Hokuetsu Express official website (Japanese)
• Hokuetsu Express official website (English)

Transit in Niigata Prefecture
JR East	Jōetsu Shinkansen ■Banetsu West Line ■Echigo Line ■Hakushin Line ■Iiyama Line ■Jōetsu Line ■Shinetsu Main Line ■Tadami Line ■Uetsu Main Line ■Yahiko Line ■Yonesaka Line
JR West	Hokuriku Shinkansen ■Ōito Line
Echigo Tokimeki Railway	■Myōkō Haneuma Line (former Shinetsu Main Line) ■Nihonkai Hisui Line (former Hokuriku Main Line)
Hokuetsu Express	■Hokuhoku Line
Named trains	Inaho Shirayuki Banetsu Monogatari Koshino Shu*Kura Kirakira Uetsu Oykot Genbi Shinkansen Setsugekka
Bus	Bandai-bashi Line Niigata Kotsu Echigo Kotsu Kubiki Motor
Public ferries	Sado Steam Ship Awashima-Line Shin Nihonkai Ferry
Misc	Niigata Station Cards Suica Ryuto Niigata Airport
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