Hamanasu (train)
Encyclopedia
The is an overnight express train
service operated by Hokkaido Railway Company
(JR Hokkaido), which runs from to via the Tsugaru Line, Kaikyo Line
, Esashi Line
, Hakodate Main Line
, Muroran Main Line
, and Chitose Line
. The journey takes approximately seven and a half hours. Following the withdrawal of the Ginga
overnight express service between Tokyo and Osaka in 2008, the Hamanasu became the only locomotive-hauled express service in Japan.
diesel locomotive between Hakodate and Sapporo.
The typical formation in 2010 was as follows.
The "Dream cars" use reclining seats from former Green cars.
and Abashiri
via Sapporo. From 1 October 1961, this was upgraded to Express status as a service operating between Sapporo and Abashiri. This operated until 30 September 1968, when the services were integrated with the limited express services.
The Hamanasu name was revived from 13 March 1988 for use on overnight express services between Aomori and Sapporo following the opening of the Seikan Tunnel
. Initially, the train consisted of 14 series seating cars only, but from July 1991, two sleeping cars were included in the formation.
Express train
Express trains are a form of rail service. Express trains make only a small number of stops, instead of stopping at every single station...
service operated by Hokkaido Railway Company
Hokkaido Railway Company
The is one of the constituent companies of Japan Railways Group , and thus often known as . It operates intercity rail services in Hokkaido, Japan. The company introduced Kitaca, a smart card ticketing system, from autumn 2008....
(JR Hokkaido), which runs from to via the Tsugaru Line, Kaikyo Line
Kaikyo Line
is an 87.8-kilometre railway line operated mainly by the Hokkaido Railway Company. The line runs from Naka-Oguni Station in Sotogahama, Aomori, through the Seikan Tunnel between Honshū and Hokkaidō, and on to Kikonai Station in Kikonai, Hokkaidō...
, Esashi Line
Esashi Line
The is a Japanese rail line operated by Hokkaido Railway Company that runs between Hakodate City and Esashi Town in Hokkaidō.-Stations:All stations are in Hokkaidō.Track: ∥: Double track, ∨: Double track ends, ◇: Passing loop |: No passing loop...
, Hakodate Main Line
Hakodate Main Line
is a railway line between the cities of Hakodate and Asahikawa in Hokkaido, Japan. It is one of the trunk lines operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company ....
, Muroran Main Line
Muroran Main Line
The is a railway line in Hokkaidō operated by Hokkaido Railway Company , between Oshamambe Station in Oshamambe and Iwamizawa Station in Iwamizawa, running through the coast of Iburi Subprefecture...
, and Chitose Line
Chitose Line
is a railway line in Hokkaidō operated by JR Hokkaidō, between Numanohata, Tomakomai and Shiroishi Station, Shiroishi Ward, Sapporo, linking Muroran Main Line and Hakodate Main Line. There also is a branch line to New Chitose Airport.-Basic Data:...
. The journey takes approximately seven and a half hours. Following the withdrawal of the Ginga
Ginga (train)
The was an overnight express sleeper train operating on the Tōkaidō Main Line between Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. It was operated by Japanese National Railways and, after its privatization in 1987, by West Japan Railway Company ....
overnight express service between Tokyo and Osaka in 2008, the Hamanasu became the only locomotive-hauled express service in Japan.
Rolling stock
The train is formed of 14 and 24 series seating cars and sleeping cars based at JR Hokkaido's Sapporo Depot, typically consisting of 7 cars. The train is hauled by a JR Hokkaido Hakodate-based ED79 AC electric locomotive between Aomori and Hakodate, and by a Hakodate-based DD51JNR Class DD51
The DD51 is a class of Japanese B-2-B wheel arrangement diesel-hydraulic locomotives. 649 locomotives were built between 1962 and 1978 by Kawasaki Sharyō, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi. The class was designed for mainline passenger and freight use with more power than the D51 and a higher maximum speed...
diesel locomotive between Hakodate and Sapporo.
The typical formation in 2010 was as follows.
- SuHaNeFu 14-550 (Sleeping car with generator)
- OHaNe 24-500 (Sleeping car)
- SuHaFu 14-550 (Non-reserved seating car with generator)
- OHa 14-500 (Reserved "Nobinobi Carpet" sleeping car)
- OHa 14-500 (Reserved "Dream car" seating car)
- OHa 14-500 (Reserved "Dream car" seating car)
- SuHaFu 14-500 (Non-reserved seating car with generator)
The "Dream cars" use reclining seats from former Green cars.
History
The Hamanasu was introduced on 1 June 1955 as a semi-express operating between HakodateHakodate Station
is a railway station in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan, operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company . It is the terminus of the Hakodate Main Line and the Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line; Hakodate Municipal Transit streetcars stop at the adjacent Hakodate Eki-mae Station....
and Abashiri
Abashiri Station
is a railway station of the Hokkaido Railway Company , located in Abashiri in Hokkaidō, Japan. It is the main railway station in the city...
via Sapporo. From 1 October 1961, this was upgraded to Express status as a service operating between Sapporo and Abashiri. This operated until 30 September 1968, when the services were integrated with the limited express services.
The Hamanasu name was revived from 13 March 1988 for use on overnight express services between Aomori and Sapporo following the opening of the Seikan Tunnel
Seikan Tunnel
The Seikan Tunnel is a railway tunnel in Japan, with a long portion under the seabed. Track level is about below seabed and below sea level. It travels beneath the Tsugaru Strait—connecting Aomori Prefecture on the Japanese island of Honshu and the island of Hokkaido—as part of the Kaikyo Line...
. Initially, the train consisted of 14 series seating cars only, but from July 1991, two sleeping cars were included in the formation.