The , and later were 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 :...

 train services 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) on the 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 ....

 between the cities of Sapporo and Asahikawa in Hokkaido

Hokkaido

, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...

, Japan, between 1986 and 2007.

History

White Arrow services began on 3 March 1986 as a new limited express operating between and via the 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 ....

, supplementing the existing Lilac

Lilac (train)

The was a limited express train service in Hokkaido, Japan, operated by Japanese National Railways and later Hokkaido Railway Company between 1980 and 2007.-Rolling stock:Services were normally formed of 4-car 781 series EMUs based at Sapporo...

services also operating between Sapporo and Asahikawa.

From 1 September 1990, the service was renamed Super White Arrow with the introduction of new 785 series

785 series

The is an AC electric multiple unit operated by Hokkaido Railway Company on Super Kamui and Suzuran limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan since 1990.-Sets NE 1–5:...

 EMUs.

Services were discontinued from the start of the 1 October 2007 timetable revision when the Super White Arrow was combined with the Lilac service to form the new Super Kamui

Super Kamui

The is a limited express train service operated by Hokkaidō Railway Company since 2007 on the Hakodate Main Line, connecting and in Hokkaido, Japan.-Service pattern:Services run every 30 minutes, with a journey time of 1 hour and 20 minutes...

service.

Service pattern

White Arrow services served the following stations: - - -

Super White Arrow services operated at hourly intervals, with 13 return workings daily, departing on the hour from Sapporo and Asahikawa, and served the following stations: - - (some trains only) - (some trains only) - - -

The Super White Arrow services operated at a maximum speed of 130 km/h, with an average speed of 102.6 km/h, completing the 136.8 km journey in 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Rolling stock

• 781 series
  781 series
  The was an AC electric multiple unit formerly operated by Japan National Railways and later Hokkaido Railway Company on limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan, between 1980 and 2007.-4-car sets :...
  
   4-car EMUs (White Arrow) 1986–1990
• 785 series
  785 series
  The is an AC electric multiple unit operated by Hokkaido Railway Company on Super Kamui and Suzuran limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan since 1990.-Sets NE 1–5:...
  
  4/6-car (later 5-car) EMUs (Super White Arrow) 1990–2007