Gala-Yuzawa Line

The Gala-Yuzawa Line (ガーラ湯沢線, Gāra-yuzawa-sen) is the unofficial name for a railway branch line in Yuzawa, Niigata, Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East).

Gala-Yuzawa Line
200 Series Shinkansen approaching Gala-Yuzawa Station (January 2006)
Overview
Native nameガーラ湯沢線
TypeShinkansen
LocaleYuzawa, Niigata
TerminiEchigo-Yuzawa
Gala-Yuzawa
Stations2
Operation
Opened1990
OwnerJR East
Depot(s)None
Rolling stockE2 series, E4 series
Technical
Line length1.8 km (1.1 mi)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Electrification25 kV AC 50 Hz overhead catenary

The standard gauge line is a short (1.8 km) branch line that extends from Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the Jōetsu Shinkansen to Gala-Yuzawa Station, but is officially classified as a branch of the (narrow gauge) Jōetsu Line. The line has no intermediate stations.[1]

Gala-Yuzawa Station serves the nearby ski resort Gala Yuzawa[2] (ski lifts operate directly from the station), so the station is only used during the winter period. During the skiing season, Tanigawa services from Tokyo are extended to run to Gala-Yuzawa. All trains on the line are classified as "limited express", so a limited express surcharge is required.

The branchline was originally built for maintenance purposes, but was upgraded for passenger service from 20 December 1990 when JR East developed the ski resort. Outside the winter season, the line is used for switching trains terminating at and departing from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.[1]

See also

References
  1. "新幹線なのに在来線" [Conventional lines that are also shinkansen]. Japan Railfan Magazine. No. 467. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. March 2000. pp. 66–67.
  2. "「安く乗れる新幹線」増えるか　新潟空港のアクセス鉄道、実現への道のり" [Will the number of “Bullet trains you can ride cheaper” increase?]. trafficnews.jp (in Japanese). Mediavague Co., ltd. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2019.

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