Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line
Encyclopedia
The is a Japanese railway line in Niigata Prefecture
, between Muikamachi, Minamiuonuma
and Saigata
, Jōetsu
. This is the only railway line operates. The construction as Japanese National Railways
line begun in 1968, finally completed as the third sector line in 1997.
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 Hokuriku Shinkansen
when it expands to Kanazawa
in 2014. The maximum speed at service, 160 km/h, is the fastest non shinkansen JR service in the country. Keisei now operates to Narita Airport at 160 km/h also.
s on the Hokuhoku Line. Each has one bi-directional through road with straight track to allow full line speed.
Niigata Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :...
, between Muikamachi, Minamiuonuma
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
is a city located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It has an area of 584.82 km² and a population of 62,733 .-History:*The city was established on November 1, 2004 in a merger of the towns Muikamachi and Yamato, both from Minami-Uonuma District, Niigata.*On October 1, 2005, the town of Shiozawa...
and Saigata
Saigata Station
is a train station located in Jōetsu, Niigata, Japan.The station opened on May 13, 1897.- Lines :Saigata Station is served by the East Japan Railway Company Shin'etsu Main Line and the Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line- Station layout:...
, Jōetsu
Joetsu, Niigata
is a city located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan.As of June 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 205,521, with 72,982 households and a population density of 211.15 persons per km². The total area is 973.32 km²....
. This is the only railway line operates. The construction as Japanese National Railways
Japanese National Railways
, abbreviated or "JNR", was the national railway network of Japan from 1949 to 1987.-History:The term Kokuyū Tetsudō "state-owned railway" originally referred to a network of railway lines operated by nationalized companies under the control of the Railway Institute following the nationalization...
line begun in 1968, finally completed as the third sector line in 1997.
Unlike most other third sector company lines, the line is steadily making profits. This is because the shortest rail link between Kantō
Kanto region
The is a geographical area of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa. Within its boundaries, slightly more than 40 percent of the land area is the Kantō Plain....
and Hokuriku
Hokuriku region
The is located in the northwestern part of Honshū, the main island of Japan. It lies along the Sea of Japan within the Chūbu region. It is almost equivalent to Koshi Province and Hokurikudō area in pre-modern Japan....
is to use Jōetsu Shinkansen
Joetsu Shinkansen
The is a high-speed railway line connecting Tokyo and Niigata, Japan, via the Tōhoku Shinkansen, operated by the East Japan Railway Company .-History:The program was initiated in 1971 by Niigata-born prime minister Tanaka Kakuei...
, stop at Echigo-Yuzawa
Echigo-Yuzawa Station
is a train station operated by East Japan Railway Company , located in the resort town of Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Facilities at the station include souvenir shopping and eating facilities, as well as a sake-themed attraction complete with an indoor onsen bath.-Lines:Echigo-Yuzawa...
, and transfer to the Hakutaka
Hakutaka
The is a limited express train service jointly operated by West Japan Railway Company and Hokuetsu Express in Japan, which operates between , , and .-Service pattern:...
express service on the Hokuhoku Line. However, most of these users are expected to use Hokuriku Shinkansen
Hokuriku Shinkansen
The is a high-speed Shinkansen rail line under construction in Japan. The first section, between and , currently called the Nagano Shinkansen, opened on 1 October 1997.-Future:...
when it expands to Kanazawa
Kanazawa Station
Kanazawa Station is a JR West railway station located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. It is the biggest station in Ishikawa Prefecture....
in 2014. The maximum speed at service, 160 km/h, is the fastest non shinkansen JR service in the country. Keisei now operates to Narita Airport at 160 km/h also.
Passing loops
There are three passing loopPassing loop
A passing loop is a place on a single line railway or tramway, often located at a station, where trains or trams in opposing directions can pass each other. Trains/trams in the same direction can also overtake, providing that the signalling arrangement allows it...
s on the Hokuhoku Line. Each has one bi-directional through road with straight track to allow full line speed.