Akabane Line

Akabane Line operates Saikyō Line trains (at Ikebukuro, in 2007)

Akabane Line train in 1979

The Akabane Line (赤羽線, Akabane-sen) is a railway line of the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Tokyo, Japan. It connects Ikebukuro Station in Toshima and Akabane Station in Kita. Signs in the stations refer to the line as the Saikyō Line but the official name of this portion of the line is Akabane Line.

Data

• Length: 5.5 km
• Gauge: 1067 mm
• Stations: 4 (including terminals)
• Multi-track segments: Entire line
• Electric segments: Entire line (1500 VDC)

History

The line opened in 1885 as a segment of the Nippon Railway Shinagawa Line. That company was nationalized in 1906. Electric service began in 1909. The line took its present name in 1972, giving up the status as a branch of Yamanote Line. Freight service ended in 1999.

In 1985, the Saikyō Line service started covering the entire Akabane Line and the newly built branch of Tōhoku Main Line (between Akabane and Ōmiya). Then the name of the Akabene Line was eliminated from daily use.

Stations

Station	km	Location
Ikebukuro Station	0.0	Toshima	Tokyo
Itabashi Station	1.8	Itabashi
Jūjō Station	3.5	Kita
Akabane Station	5.5

All trains of the Saikyō Line, including rapid and commuter rapid services, stop at all of these four stations of the Akabane Line.

Rolling stock

The line uses 205 series and Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit 70-000 series multiple units.