Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line

Hokuhoku Line
300px 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 250px

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, including the 10,472m Akakura Tunnel, the longest on a non-JR line.

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, matched only by the Keisei Skyliner services to Narita Airport (also at 160 km/h).

Services

On 14 March 2015, with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the thirteen Express services in each direction were cancelled and replaced by a daily Cho-rapid service in each direction. The express service ran from 1997 with an average of 6,900 people per day by providing a convenient link for travellers from the Kanto region to Kanazawa. Since then the services are:

• 14 local services each day
• An early morning and evening rapid service from Naoetsu to Echigo-Yuzawa with a lunchtime service in the reverse direction
• A single Cho-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 road with straight 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

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)	(石打)	11.2	|		∥	Minamiuonuma
	(Ōsawa)	(大沢)	7.2	|		∥
	Jōetsu-Kokusai-Ski-jō-mae	上越国際スキー場前	6.2	|		∥
	Shiozawa	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	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)	(黒井)	63.9	|		∥
	Naoetsu	直江津	66.6	●	Shinetsu Main Line (for Nagano) Hokuriku Main Line	∥

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)