Biwako Express

Biwako Express
Overview
Service type Limited express
Status Operational
Predecessor Biwako Liner
First service 2 June 2003
Current operator(s) JR West
Route
Start Osaka
End Kusatsu/Maibara
Distance travelled 110.5 km (68.7 mi)
Average journey time approx. 1 hr 25 mins
Line(s) used Tokaido Main Line (Biwako Line and JR Kyoto Line)
On-board services
Class(es) Ordinary + Green
Catering facilities None
Technical
Rolling stock 683 series EMUs, KiHa 189 series DMUs
Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification 1,500 V DC overhead
Operating speed 130 km/h (80 mph)

The Biwako Express (びわこエクスプレス, Biwako Ekusupuresu) is a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between Osaka and Maibara or Kusatsu in Japan since June 2003. It replaced the previous Biwako Liner services.[1]

Service pattern

As of April 2016, one weekday morning service (Biwako Express 1) runs from Maibara to Osaka, and two weekday evening services (Biwako Express 2 & 4) run from Osaka to Kusatsu and Maibara respectively, with the journey time from Osaka to Maibara taking approximately 1 hour 25 minutes.[2]

Rolling stock

Services were initially operated using the nine-car 681 series or 683 series EMUs used on Thunderbird services.[1]

Formations

Biwako Express 1 and 4

Biwako Express 1 and 4 (between Osaka and Maibara) are formed as follows, with car 1 at the Maibara end.[2]

Car No.123456789
Accommodation GreenReservedReservedNon-reservedNon-reservedNon-reservedNon-reservedNon-reservedNon-reserved

Biwako Express 2

Biwako Express 2 (Osaka to Kusatsu) is formed as follows, with car 1 at the Osaka end.[2]

Car No.123
Accommodation Non-reservedNon-reservedReserved
Facilities   Wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • All cars are standard class and no-smoking.[2]
  • Trains run as 6-car formations during busy periods.[2]

History

The Biwako Express services were introduced from 2 June 2003.[3]

The services were made entirely no-smoking from 1 June 2009.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2008. p. 40. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 JR時刻表 [JR Timetable] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. March 2016. pp. 110, 985.
  3. ↑ 特急｢びわこエクスプレス」の運転、 特急｢はるか｣の米原延長運転の開始 [Start of Biwako Express limited express service and extension of Haruka services to Maibara]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 11 October 2003. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  4. ↑ 在来線特急列車などの全席禁煙化ならびに在来線ホームの禁煙化の拡大について [Complete ban of smoking on limited express trains and station platforms]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
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