Rakuraku Biwako
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Commuter Limited Express |
| Status | Operational |
| Predecessor | Biwako Liner |
| First service | 2 June 2003 |
| Current operator(s) | JR West |
| Route | |
| Termini | Osaka 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 (通勤特急びわこエクスプレス, Tsūkin Tokkyū Biwako Ekusupuresu) is a Commuter 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[update], 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
- 683 series 9-car EMU sets
- KiHa 189 series 3-car DMU (since March 2014)
Services were initially operated using the nine-car 681 series or 683 series EMUs used on Thunderbird services.[1]
-
A 683-4000 series EMU -
A KiHa 189 series DMU
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. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Green | Reserved | Reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved |
Biwako Express 2
Biwako Express 2 (Osaka to Kusatsu) is formed as follows, with car 1 at the Osaka end.[2]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Reserved |
| 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
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b c d e JR時刻表 [JR Timetable] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. March 2016. pp. 110, 985.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
External links
- JR West 683 series Biwako Express (in Japanese)
- JR West KiHa 189 series Biwako Express (in Japanese)
Named trains of West Japan Railway Company | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen | .svg){kind=logo} | |
| Limited express (daytime) | ||
| Limited express (overnight) | ||
| Limited express (commuter) | ||
| Rapid | ||
| Other | ||
| Discontinued | ||