Azusa (train)

Azusa
Super Azusa
E351 series EMU on a Super Azusa service in January 2010
Overview
Service type Limited express
Status Operational
Locale Japan
First service 1 October 1957 (Semi express)
12 December 1966 (Limited express)
Current operator(s) JR East
Former operator(s) JNR
Route
Line(s) used Chuo Main Line, Shinonoi Line
On-board services
Class(es) Green + Ordinary
Catering facilities Trolley service
Technical
Rolling stock E353 series (Super Azusa)
E257 series EMUs
Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification 1,500 V DC
Operating speed 130 km/h (80 mph)[1]

The Azusa (あずさ) and Super Azusa (スーパーあずさ) are limited express services operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), which run between Shinjuku and Matsumoto via the Chūō Main Line and Shinonoi Line. The name Azusa is taken from the Azusa River in Matsumoto, Nagano.

Route

Azusa

Shinjuku - Matsumoto - Minami-Otari
(One train a day starts/terminates at Chiba)

Super Azusa

Shinjuku - Matsumoto

Rolling stock

  • 183 series EMUs (since 1972, now used for seasonal additional services only)
  • 189 series EMUs (since 1975, now used for seasonal additional services only)
  • E257 series EMUs (since 2001)
  • E353 series EMUs (Super Azusa, from 23 December 2017)[2]

From 23 December 2017, new E353 series EMUs are scheduled to be introduced on Super Azusa services.[2] By March 2018, all Super Azusa services will be operated by E353 series trains, and the E257 series trainsets used on Azusa services are also scheduled to be subsequently replaced by E353 series trains.[3]

Rolling stock previously used

Formations

Azusa

Azusa services are formed of 2+9-car or 9-car E257 series trainsets as shown below, with car 1 at the southern (Chiba/Tokyo/Shinjuku) end. All cars are no-smoking.[4]

Car No.1234567891011
Numbering KuHa E257KuMoHa E257KuHa E257MoHa E257MoHa E256MoHa E257SaHa E257SaRoHa E257MoHa E257MoHa E256KuHa E256
Accommodation ReservedReservedNon-reservedNon-reservedNon-reservedReservedReservedReservedGreenReservedReservedReserved

Super Azusa

Super Azusa services are formed of 4+8-car E351 series trainsets as shown below, with car 1 at the southern (Tokyo/Shinjuku) end. All cars are no-smoking.[4]

Car No.123456789101112
Numbering KuHa E351MoHa E351MoHa E350KuHa E351KuHa E351MoHa E351MoHa E350SaHa E351SaRo E351MoHa E351MoHa E350KuHa E351
Accommodation ReservedReservedNon-reservedNon-reservedNon-reservedNon-reservedReservedReservedGreenReservedReservedReserved

History

A 183 series EMU in original "Grade-up Azusa" livery

The Azusa service began on 1 October 1957 as a semi express operating between Shinjuku and Matsumoto. This operated until 24 April 1960 when it was absorbed into Hakuba semi express services.[5]

The Azusa name was revived from 12 December 1966 for use on limited express services operating between Shinjuku and Matsumoto.[5]

The premier Super Azusa service commenced on 3 December 1994 with the delivery of the first new E351 series tilting EMUs.[5]

New E257 series EMUs were introduced on Azusa services from the start of the revised timetable on 1 December 2001.[1]

Smoking was prohibited in all cars from 18 March 2007.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. 2008. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
  2. 1 2 Ueshin, Daisuke (26 October 2017). JR東日本E353系、新型車両の特急「スーパーあずさ」12/23デビュー [New JR East E353 series to debut on "Super Azusa" limited express from 23 December]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. Archived from the original on 20 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  3. ↑ 来年３月に現行車両「Ｅ３５１系」引退　スーパーあずさ、新型に [E351 series to be retired by next spring with new trains for "Super Azusa" services]. Sankei Photo (in Japanese). Japan: The Sankei Shimbun & Sankei Digital. 29 October 2017. Archived from the original on 22 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  4. 1 2 JR Timetable. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. February 2015. p. 957.
  5. 1 2 3 列車名鑑1995 [Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995.
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