Shonan Monorail

The Shonan Monorail (湘南モノレール, Shōnan Monorēru) is a suspended SAFEGE monorail in the cities of Kamakura and Fujisawa in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is operated by the Shonan Monorail Co., Ltd. (湘南モノレール株式会社, Shōnan Monorēru Kabushiki-gaisha), and opened on March 7, 1970, the first monorail of its kind in Japan.[1]


Shonan Monorail
A 5000 series train in August 2008
Overview
LocaleKanagawa Prefecture
Transit typeSuspension railway
Number of lines1
Number of stations8
Operation
Began operationMarch 7, 1970
Operator(s)Shonan Monorail Co, Ltd
Wholly owned subsidiary of Michinori Holdings; formerly part of Mitsubishi Group
Technical
System length6.6 km
Minimum radius of curvature90 m (295 ft)
Electrification1,500 V DC
Top speed75 km/h (45 mph)
System map

A Shonan Monorail train at Shōnan-Fukusawa station with track switch at upper left

The train is used by commuters that work in Tokyo or Yokohama, tourists visiting Enoshima, and, in summer months, city dwellers who are visiting the parks or baths of Enoshima.[2]

Enoshima Line (江の島線, Enoshima-sen) travels 6.6 km (4.1 mi) every seven to eight minutes between Ōfuna Station and Enoshima, making six stops.[1] The average length of a single trip is 14 minutes.[3] The line includes two tunnels (between Shōnan-Fukasawa and Nishi-Kamakura stations, and between Mejiroyamashita and Shōnan-Enoshima stations).[4]


History

The monorail was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and the line opened March 7, 1970 between Ōfuna and Nishi-Kamakura. The rest of the line opened on July 1, 1971.[1]

Stations
Station Distance
(km)		 Transfers Location
Ōfuna 0.0
Tokaido Main Line

Yokosuka Line

 Kamakura Kanagawa Prefecture
Fujimichō* 0.9  
Shōnan-Machiya 2.0  
Shōnan-Fukasawa* 2.6  
Nishi-Kamakura* 4.7  
Kataseyama 5.5  
Mejiroyamashita* 6.2   Fujisawa
Shōnan-Enoshima 6.6

* Track switching possible at these stations

Rolling stock
  • 5000 series 3-car sets (since 2004)

As of July 2016, the line is operated using a fleet of seven three-car aluminium-bodied 5000 series trainsets.[5] The 5000 series is equipped with a VVVF control device and regenerative brake which allows for smooth acceleration and deceleration. The VVVF inverter control reduces the need for inspection and maintenance because unlike a DC motor, there is no commutator brush or contact switch.[6]

  • A 5000 series set in October 2009

Former
  • A 400 series set in 2004
  • A 500 series set in April 2008
  • 300 series 2/3-car sets (from March 1970 until July 1992)
  • 400 series (from 1980 until July 2004)
  • 500 series 3-car sets (from 1988 until June 2016)

Services were initially operated using a fleet of six two-car 300 series trainsets built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.[1] Two sets were increased to three cars from February 1975 to provide additional capacity.[1] The last of the 300 series sets were withdrawn by July 1992, following the introduction of new 500 series trains.[7] The 500 series trains introduced in 1988 were the first air-conditioned trains on the line.[1] The last 500 series train was withdrawn after its last day in service on 26 June 2016.[5]

See also

References
  1. Terada, Hirokazu (19 January 2013). データブック日本の私鉄 [Databook: Japan's Private Railways] (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. p. 80. ISBN 978-4-7770-1336-4.
  2. "Shonan and Enoden". Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  3. "Sarukoen 猿公園: July 2007 Archives". Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  4. "Kamakura-Enoshima Shonan Monorail". Kamakura-Enoshima Shonan Monorail (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-09-05.
  5. 湘南モノレール500形が引退 [Shonan Monorail 500 series withdrawn]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 27 June 2016. Archived from the original on 23 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  6. "環境保全 | 江の島への近道 湘南モノレール株式会社". www.shonan-monorail.co.jp. Retrieved 2019-09-05.
  7. 湘南モノレール 300形 [Shonan Monorail 300 series]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.

35°21′08″N 139°31′53″E(Ōfuna)35°18′43″N 139°29′16″E(Shōnan-Enoshima)

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