Sekisho Line
Encyclopedia
The is a railway line in Japan 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). The main Sekishō Line runs between in Chitose
Chitose, Hokkaido
-Economy:China Airlines operates its Sapporo office on the third floor of the airport building.The airline Hokkaido Air System was at one time headquartered at the New Chitose Airport in Chitose...

 and Shintoku Station
Shintoku Station
is a train station in Shintoku, Kamikawa District, Hokkaidō, Japan.Its station number is K23.-Adjacent stations:...

 in the town of Shintoku
Shintoku, Hokkaido
is a town located in Kamikawa District, Tokachi, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2007, the town has an estimated population of 6,993 and a density of 6.98 persons per km². The total area is 1,063.79 km². Surrounding towns include Sahoro, Shimizu, and Shikaoi....

. A branch line runs from to . The name of the line comes from the subprefectures along the route, namely and .

Basic data

  • Distances
    • Main line, Minami-Chitose - Shintoku: 132.4 km
    • Branch line, Shin-Yūbari - Yūbari: 16.1 km
  • Operators
    • 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....

       (category 1)
      • Minami-Chitose - Shintoku: 132.4 km
      • Shin-Yūbari - Yūbari: 16.1 km
    • Japan Freight Railway Company
      Japan Freight Railway Company
      , or , is one of the constituent companies of Japan Railways Group . It provides transportation of cargo nationwide. Its headquarters are in Shibuya, Tokyo near Shinjuku Station....

       (category 2)
      • Minami-Chitose - Kami-Ochiai Junction: 108.3 km
  • Stations: 15
  • Signal locations: 12 (1 Junction, 11 Passing loop
    Passing 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)
  • Gauge
    Rail gauge
    Track gauge or rail gauge is the distance between the inner sides of the heads of the two load bearing rails that make up a single railway line. Sixty percent of the world's railways use a standard gauge of . Wider gauges are called broad gauge; smaller gauges, narrow gauge. Break-of-gauge refers...

    :
  • Track: single
  • Traction: internal combustion (diesel)
  • Block system:
    • Minami-Chitose - Shintoku: Automatic
    • Shin-Yūbari - Yūbari: Special Automatic (track circuit detection); simplified automatic system

Services

The line is a part of the main line between and eastern Hokkaido. Super Ōzora
Super Ozora
The is a limited express train service between and in Hokkaido, Japan, operated by Hokkaido Railway Company . There are seven trains per day running in both directions, with the fastest journeys taking 3 hours 35 minutes.-History:...

limited express
Limited express
A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes.- Japan :...

 trains run between Sapporo and 7 times a day, while Super Tokachi runs twice daily, Tokachi 4 times daily, both between Sapporo and . A sleeper
Sleeping car
The sleeping car or sleeper is a railway/railroad passenger car that can accommodate all its passengers in beds of one kind or another, primarily for the purpose of making nighttime travel more restful. The first such cars saw sporadic use on American railroads in the 1830s and could be configured...

 service between Sapporo and Kushiro, the Marimo, was discontinued in 2008.

There are no local train services between and , since the line runs through practically unpopulated areas. There is a local train service between and (via Shin-Yūbari), with approximately one train every 2 hours.

Stations

Station Distance
(km)
Transfers Location
Main Line
H14 Minami-Chitose
Minami-Chitose Station
is a railway station located in Chitose, Hokkaidō, Japan, operated by Hokkaido Railway Company .-Station layout:* Above-ground station with two platforms serving four tracks.Platforms-Limited express trains:* Super Ōzora...

 
南千歳 0.0 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:...

 ( Main Line,  Shin-Chitosekūkō Branch Line)
Chitose
Chitose, Hokkaido
-Economy:China Airlines operates its Sapporo office on the third floor of the airport building.The airline Hokkaido Air System was at one time headquartered at the New Chitose Airport in Chitose...

Komasato Passing Loop 駒里(信) 5.4
Nishi-Hayakita Passing Loop 西早来(信) 11.7 Abira
Abira, Hokkaido
is a town in Yufutsu District, Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan.Abira was founded on March 27, 2006 by the merger of the towns of Hayakita and Oiwake, both from Yufutsu District....

, Yūfutsu
Yufutsu District, Hokkaido
is a district divided between Iburi and Kamikawa Subprefectures.-Towns and villages:*Iburi**Abira **Atsuma**Mukawa*Kamikawa**Shimukappu-History:...

K15 Oiwake
Oiwake Station (Hokkaido)
is a railway station on the JR Hokkaido. It is located in Abira, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Station structure:The above-ground station has two platforms serving four tracks.Platforms- Adjacent stations :Hokkaido Railway Company...

 
追分 17.6 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...

K16 Higashi-Oiwake
Higashi-Oiwake Station
is a train station in Abira, Yūfutsu District, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...

 
東追分 21.6
K17 Kawabata
Kawabata Station
is a train station in Yuni, Yūfutsu District, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...

 
川端 27.0 Yuni
Yuni, Hokkaido
is a town located in Yūbari District, Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 6,410 and a density of 49.88 persons per km². The total area is 133.86 km².-External links:* in Japanese...

, Yūbari
Yubari District, Hokkaido
is a district located in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 33,253 and a density of 65.71 persons per km². The total area is 506.06 km².-Towns and villages:*Kuriyama*Naganuma*Yuni...

Takinoshita Passing Loop 滝ノ下(信) 30.3 Kuriyama
Kuriyama, Hokkaido
is a town located in Yūbari District, Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2007, the town has an estimated population of 14,089 and a density of 69.73 persons per km². The total area is 203.84 km².-External links:* in Japanese...

, Yūbari
K18 Takinoue
Takinoue Station
is a train station in Yūbari, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...

 
滝ノ上 35.8 Yūbari
Yubari, Hokkaido
is a city in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 12,068. The total area is 763.20 km². Hemmed in by mountains Yūbari stretches for 25 kilometers along a mountain valley....

K19 Tomisato
Tomisato Station
is a train station in Yūbari, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...

 
十三里 40.2
K20 Shin-Yūbari
Shin-Yubari Station
is a railway station on the JR Hokkaido Sekishō Line. It is located in Yūbari, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Station structure:* 2-way, 5-track, above-ground station.Platforms...

 
新夕張 43.0  Sekishō Line (Yūbari Branch Line)
Kaede Passing Loop 楓(信) 48.7
Osawa Passing Loop オサワ(信) 55.7 Mukawa
Mukawa, Hokkaido
is a town located in Yūfutsu District, Iburi, Hokkaidō, Japan.On March 27, 2006 the towns of Hobetsu and Mukawa , both from Yūfutsu District merged to create new town of Mukawa...

, Yūfutsu
Higashi-Osawa Passing Loop 東オサワ(信) 59.6
Seifūzan Passing Loop 清風山(信) 67.3 Shimukappu
Shimukappu, Hokkaido
-External links:* *** in English and Japanese...

, Yūfutsu
K21 Shimukappu
Shimukappu Station
is a railway station on the JR Hokkaido Sekishō Line. It is located in Shimukappu, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Station structure:* 2-way, 3-track, above-ground station.Platforms...

 
占冠 77.3
Higashi-Shimukappu Passing Loop 東占冠(信) 81.3
Takinosawa Signal Passing Loop 滝ノ沢(信) 85.7
Horoka Passing Loop ホロカ(信) 92.6
K22 Tomamu
Tomamu Station
is a railway station on the JR Hokkaido Sekishō Line. It is located in Shimukappu, Hokkaidō, Japan.- History :* 1 October 1981: Open as * 1 February 1987: Rename to Tomamu Station-Station structure:The above-ground station has two platforms serving two tracks....

 
トマム 98.6
Kushinai Passing Loop 串内(信) 104.2 Minamifurano
Minamifurano, Hokkaido
is a town located in Sorachi District, Kamikawa, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2007, the town has an estimated population of 2,896 and a density of 4.62 persons per km². The total area is 665.52 km².-External links:* in Japanese...

, Sorachi
Sorachi District, Hokkaido
is a district divided between Sorachi and Kamikawa Subprefectures, Hokkaidō. As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 53,011 and an area of 1,497.21 km², giving a population density of 35.41 persons per square kilometer.-Towns and Villages:...

Kami-Ochiai Junction 上落合(信) 108.3
Shin-Karikachi Passing Loop 新狩勝(信) 113.9 Shintoku
Shintoku, Hokkaido
is a town located in Kamikawa District, Tokachi, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2007, the town has an estimated population of 6,993 and a density of 6.98 persons per km². The total area is 1,063.79 km². Surrounding towns include Sahoro, Shimizu, and Shikaoi....

, Kamikawa
Kamikawa District, Hokkaido (Tokachi)
is a district located in Tokachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 18,064 and a density of 12.32 persons per km²...

Hirouchi Passing Loop 広内(信) 120.1
Nishi-Shintoku Passing Loop 西新得(信) 125.6
K23 Shintoku
Shintoku Station
is a train station in Shintoku, Kamikawa District, Hokkaidō, Japan.Its station number is K23.-Adjacent stations:...

 
新得 132.4  Nemuro Main Line
Nemuro Main Line
is a railway line in Hokkaidō operated by JR Hokkaidō, between Takikawa Station, Takikawa City and Nemuro Station, Nemuro City, running througheastern Hokkaidō including Obihiro and Kushiro.- Basic Data :*Operators, distances...

Yūbari Branch Line
K20 Shin-Yūbari
Shin-Yubari Station
is a railway station on the JR Hokkaido Sekishō Line. It is located in Yūbari, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Station structure:* 2-way, 5-track, above-ground station.Platforms...

 
新夕張 0.0  Sekishō Line (Main Line) Yūbari
Y21 Numanosawa
Numanosawa Station
is a train station in Yūbari, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...

 
沼ノ沢 2.7
Y22 Minami-Shimizusawa
Minami-Shimizusawa Station
is a train station in Yūbari, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...

 
南清水沢 6.7
Y23 Shimizusawa
Shimizusawa Station
is a railway station on the JR Hokkaido Sekishō Line. It is located in Yūbari, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Station structure:The station has one platform serving one track used by both Yūbari-bound and Shin-Yūbari- or Oiwake-bound trains....

 
清水沢 8.2
Y24 Shikanotani
Shikanotani Station
is a train station in Yūbari, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...

 
鹿ノ谷 14.8
Y25 Yūbari
Yubari Station
is a railway station on the JR Hokkaido Sekishō Line. It is located in Yūbari, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Station structure:* 1-way, 1-track, above-ground station.Platforms-Adjacent stations:Hokkaido Railway Company...

 
夕張 16.1

Passing loops and junctions

Kami-Ochiai Junction

43°6′8"N 142°41′31"E

is a junction in Minamifurano
Minamifurano, Hokkaido
is a town located in Sorachi District, Kamikawa, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2007, the town has an estimated population of 2,896 and a density of 4.62 persons per km². The total area is 665.52 km².-External links:* in Japanese...

, Sorachi
Sorachi District, Hokkaido
is a district divided between Sorachi and Kamikawa Subprefectures, Hokkaidō. As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 53,011 and an area of 1,497.21 km², giving a population density of 35.41 persons per square kilometer.-Towns and Villages:...

. This junction is located in (near the western mouth).

Komasato Passing Loop

42.80361°N 141.73444°W

is a passing loop in Chitose, Hokkaidō
Chitose, Hokkaido
-Economy:China Airlines operates its Sapporo office on the third floor of the airport building.The airline Hokkaido Air System was at one time headquartered at the New Chitose Airport in Chitose...

 with two tracks and two snow shelters.

Nishi-Hayakita Passing Loop

42.82457°N 141.80492°W

is a passing loop in Abira, Hokkaidō
Abira, Hokkaido
is a town in Yufutsu District, Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan.Abira was founded on March 27, 2006 by the merger of the towns of Hayakita and Oiwake, both from Yufutsu District....

 with two tracks and two snow shelters (one of them is connected to a tunnel).

Takinoshita Passing Loop

42.90711°N 141.92219°W

is a passing loop in Kuriyama, Hokkaidō
Kuriyama, Hokkaido
is a town located in Yūbari District, Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2007, the town has an estimated population of 14,089 and a density of 69.73 persons per km². The total area is 203.84 km².-External links:* in Japanese...

 with two tracks and two snow shelters.

Kaede Passing Loop

42.93176°N 142.09153°W

is a passing loop in Yūbari, Hokkaidō
Yubari, Hokkaido
is a city in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 12,068. The total area is 763.20 km². Hemmed in by mountains Yūbari stretches for 25 kilometers along a mountain valley....

 with two tracks and two snow shelters. It was Kaede Station before 12 March 1994.

Osawa Passing Loop

42.93360°N 142.17600°W

is a passing loop in Mukawa, Hokkaidō
Mukawa, Hokkaido
is a town located in Yūfutsu District, Iburi, Hokkaidō, Japan.On March 27, 2006 the towns of Hobetsu and Mukawa , both from Yūfutsu District merged to create new town of Mukawa...

 with two tracks and two snow shelters.

Higashi-Osawa Passing Loop

42.94370°N 142.21939°W

is a passing loop in Mukawa with two tracks and two snow shelters.

Seifūzan Passing Loop

42.95000°N 142.30803°W

is a passing loop in Shimukappu, Hokkaidō
Shimukappu, Hokkaido
-External links:* *** in English and Japanese...

 with two tracks and two snow shelters.

Onitōge Passing Loop

42.97370°N 142.34022°W

was a passing loop in Shimukappu with two tracks. It was located in Onitōge tunnel and taken out of service from 3 March 1986.

Higashi-Shimukappu Passing Loop

43.01799°N 142.43322°W

is a passing loop in Shimukappu with two tracks and two snow shelters.

Takinosawa Passing Loop

43.04463°N 142.47050°W

is a passing loop in Shimukappu with two tracks and two snow shelters.

Horoka Passing Loop

43.06628°N 142.54361°W

is a passing loop in Shimukappu with two tracks and two snow shelters. It was completed in 1981 as Tomamu Passing Loop, but was renamed in 1987 to avoid confusion with Tomamu Station
Tomamu Station
is a railway station on the JR Hokkaido Sekishō Line. It is located in Shimukappu, Hokkaidō, Japan.- History :* 1 October 1981: Open as * 1 February 1987: Rename to Tomamu Station-Station structure:The above-ground station has two platforms serving two tracks....

.

Kushinai Passing Loop

43.07352°N 142.67267°W

is a passing loop in Minamifurano, Hokkaidō
Minamifurano, Hokkaido
is a town located in Sorachi District, Kamikawa, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2007, the town has an estimated population of 2,896 and a density of 4.62 persons per km². The total area is 665.52 km².-External links:* in Japanese...

 with three tracks and two snow shelters. The center track is bidirectional.

Passing Loops between Kami-Ochiai Junction and Shintoku

There are three passing loops shared by the Sekishō Line and Nemuro Main Line between Kami-Ochiai Junction and Shintoku Station.

Shin-Karikachi Passing Loop

43.10189°N 142.76342°W

is a passing loop in Shintoku, Hokkaidō
Shintoku, Hokkaido
is a town located in Kamikawa District, Tokachi, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2007, the town has an estimated population of 6,993 and a density of 6.98 persons per km². The total area is 1,063.79 km². Surrounding towns include Sahoro, Shimizu, and Shikaoi....

 with two tracks and two snow shelters. The loop is located next to the eastern mouth of 5,790 m long Shin-Karikachi tunnel.

Hirouchi Passing Loop

43.05382°N 142.79192°W

is a passing loop in Shintoku, Hokkaidō
Shintoku, Hokkaido
is a town located in Kamikawa District, Tokachi, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2007, the town has an estimated population of 6,993 and a density of 6.98 persons per km². The total area is 1,063.79 km². Surrounding towns include Sahoro, Shimizu, and Shikaoi....

 with three tracks and two snow shelters. The west track is used for siding for both up and down.

Nishi-Shintoku Passing Loop

43.08073°N 142.79653°W

is a passing loop in Shintoku, Hokkaidō
Shintoku, Hokkaido
is a town located in Kamikawa District, Tokachi, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2007, the town has an estimated population of 6,993 and a density of 6.98 persons per km². The total area is 1,063.79 km². Surrounding towns include Sahoro, Shimizu, and Shikaoi....

 with two tracks and two snow shelters.

History

In 1892, the Hokkaido Colliery and Railway Company
Hokkaido Colliery and Railway Company
was a company engaged in coal mining, railway operation and shipping in Hokkaidō, Japan.The company was established in 1889 when the state-owned and Horonai Railway were sold to the company...

 opened the from Oiwake to Yūbari for transporting coal.

In the late 20th century, a plan was proposed to make a line between Shin-Yūbari (on the Yūbari Line) and Shintoku (on the Nemuro Main Line
Nemuro Main Line
is a railway line in Hokkaidō operated by JR Hokkaidō, between Takikawa Station, Takikawa City and Nemuro Station, Nemuro City, running througheastern Hokkaidō including Obihiro and Kushiro.- Basic Data :*Operators, distances...

) as a shortcut line between central and eastern Hokkaido. The new line was completed in 1981, becoming the Sekishō Line. The Yūbari Line was split into two sections, the section between Oiwake and Shin-Yūbari being incorporated into the main Sekishō Line, and the section between Shin-Yūbari and Yūbari becoming the Yūbari Branch Line of the Sekishō Line. The new line shortened the main route to eastern Hokkaido. Previously, passengers had to travel via Takikawa or Asahikawa.

2011 Super Ōzora derailment and fire

On 27 May 2011, the Super Ōzora 14 service from Kushiro to Sapporo was brought to an emergency stop inside the 685 metre-long No. 1 Niniu Tunnel in Shimukappu, Hokkaidō
Shimukappu, Hokkaido
-External links:* *** in English and Japanese...

, at around 21:55 after car number 2 of the 6-car formation became derailed. The train caught fire, and all of the 245 people on board, including train staff eventually evacuated the train. 39 were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burn injuries. The burnt-out train was removed from the tunnel on 29 May 2011.

External links

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