Hitachi (Japanese train)
| Super Hitachi Fresh Hitachi |
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|---|---|
| 651 series on a Super Hitachi service, July 2005 | |
| Service type | Limited express |
| Operator | JR East |
| Line used | Jōban Line, Tōhoku Main Line |
| Maximum speed | 130 km/h (80 mph) |
| Started | 1963 (Hitachi) 1989 (Super Hitachi) 1997 (Fresh Hitachi) |
| Ended | 1998 (Hitachi) |
| Rolling stock | 651 series, E653 series |
Hitachi (ひたち) is the general name for limited express train services operated in Japan by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on the Jōban Line between Ueno Station in Tokyo and Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture and Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture.
The Hitachi name itself was discontinued from December 1998 with the withdrawal of the last 485 series electric multiple units on the Jōban Line, with the main daytime limited express services subsequently being named Super Hitachi and Fresh Hitachi.[1]
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[edit] Hitachi
The Hitachi (ひたち) name was first introduced on 1 October 1963 for semi-express services operating between Ueno and Iwaki. This operated until 30 September 1967. The name was subsequently reintroduced on 1 October 1969 for a once-daily seasonal limited-express service operating between Ueno and Iwaki using KiHa 81 series diesel multiple units. This became a regular daily service the following year.[1] 485 series EMUs were phased in from 2 October 1972, and were used until services were discontinued in December 1998. From 1 April 1973, one return service daily was extended to operate between Ueno and Sendai. From 1 October of the same year, the number of services to and from Sendai was increased to six return services. From 2 October 1978, this number was increased to 11 return services daily, to 12 from 15 November 1982, to 23 from 14 March 1985 with the discontinuation of the Tokiwa express, and to 26 return services daily from 1 November 1986.[1]
During the 1990s, services were operated using Katsuta-based seven-car 485 series formations with no Green car accommodation. Fourteen-car formations were sometimes used.[2]
[edit] Super Hitachi
The Super Hitachi (スーパーひたち) was introduced on 11 March 1989, operating between Ueno and Iwaki and Sendai, using new 651 series EMUs.[1] It operates at a maximum speed of 130 km/h.[3] Services are generally formed of 7-car or 7+4-car formations, with only the 4-car sets continuing north of Iwaki.[4]
From the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012, new E657 series EMUs are scheduled to be introduced on Super Hitachi services,[5] totally replacing the 651 series trains by autumn 2012.[6]
[edit] Fresh Hitachi
The Fresh Hitachi (フレッシュひたち) was introduced on 1 October 1997 between Ueno and Iwaki, using new E653 series EMUs.[1] It operates at a maximum speed of 130 km/h. Services are formed of 7-car, 7+4-car, or 7+7-car E653 EMUs, as well as 7-car or 7+4-car 651 series EMUs.[3]
From the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012, new E657 series EMUs will be introduced on Fresh Hitachi services, operating alongside existing 651 series and E653 series sets.[5]
[edit] Rolling stock
Services are operated by the following trainsets.[3]
- 651 series 4/7/11-car EMUs (Super Hitachi, Fresh Hitachi)
- E653 series 7/11/14-car EMUs (Fresh Hitachi)
- E657 series 10-car EMUs (from 17 March 2012)[5]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Haraguchi, Takayuki (2009). Encyclopedia of JR's Railway Cars: ＪＲ全車輌. Japan: Sekai Bunka. p. 218. ISBN 978-4-418-09905-4.
- ^ 列車名鑑1995 [Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995.
- ^ a b c JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. 2008. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
- ^ JR Timetable, December 2008 issue
- ^ a b c "２０１２年３月ダイヤ改正について [March 2012 Timetable Revision]" (in Japanese) (pdf). Japan: East Japan Railway Company. 16 December 2011. http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2011/20111211.pdf. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- ^ "常磐線特急に新型車両を導入！ [New trains to be introduced on Jōban Line limited express services]" (in Japanese) (pdf). East Japan Railway Company. 7 December 2010. http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2010/20101206.pdf. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
[edit] External links
- JR East 651 series Super Hitachi (Japanese)
- JR East E653 series Fresh Hitachi (Japanese)
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