Kusatsu (train)

Kusatsu

300px A 651-1000 series EMU on a Kusatsu service, March 2014
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	Operational
Locale	Tohoku Main Line, Takasaki Line, Joetsu Line, Agatsuma Line
First service	1 June 1960 (Semi express) 14 March 1985 (Limited express)
Current operator(s)	JR East
Former operator(s)	JNR
Route
Start	Ueno
End	Manza-Kazawaguchi
On-board services
Class(es)	Green + Standard
Technical
Rolling stock	651-1000 series EMUs
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	1,500 V DC overhead
Operating speed	110 km/h (70 mph)

The Kusatsu (草津) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), which runs between Ueno in Tokyo and Manza-Kazawaguchi.

Rolling stock

Since the start of the revised timetable on 15 March 2014, Kusatsu services have been formed of modified 651-1000 series EMUs, which replaced the 185 series trains previously used on these services.

• Jnr 185 kusatsu.jpg

  185 series Kusatsu, January 2003

• JRE651-1000 K108 Kusatsu 20140315.jpg

  Modified 651-1000 series set K108, March 2014

History

The Kusatsu service began on 1 June 1960 as a semi express between Ueno and Naganohara (now Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi). This was upgraded to become a limited express service from 14 March 1985. From the start of the revised timetable on 15 March 2014, the 185 series EMUs used on these services were replaced by modified 651-1000 series EMUs displaced from Super Hitachi services on the Joban Line.

Kusatsu 50th anniversary

File:Jnr 185 OM3-Kusatsu-20120103.jpg

Repainted set OM03 on a Kusatsu service, January 2012

In September 2010, 185-200 series 7-car EMU set OM03 was repainted into the Shōnan colour scheme of orange and green (never previously carried by this type) to recreate the appearance of the early 80 series EMUs, as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Kusatsu limited express service scheduled for October.

External links

• JR East 185 series Akagi/Kusatsu/Minakami (Japanese)