Jump to content

Rakuraku Biwako

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by GreenC bot (talk | contribs) at 12:14, 15 September 2016 (WaybackMedic 2). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Biwako Express
Overview
Service typeLimited express
StatusOperational
PredecessorBiwako Liner
First service2 June 2003
Current operator(s)JR West
Route
TerminiOsaka
Kusatsu/Maibara
Distance travelled110.5 km (68.7 mi)
Average journey timeapprox. 1 hr 25 mins
Line(s) usedTokaido Main Line (Biwako Line and JR Kyoto Line)
On-board services
Class(es)Ordinary + Green
Catering facilitiesNone
Technical
Rolling stock683 series EMUs, KiHa 189 series DMUs
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC overhead
Operating speed130 km/h (80 mph)*

The Biwako Express (びわこエクスプレス, Biwako Ekusupuresu) is a 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, 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

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 683-4000 series EMU
  • A KiHa 189 series DMU
    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

  1. ^ a b JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2008. p. 40. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e JR時刻表 (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. March 2016. pp. 110, 985. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ 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. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 11 October 2003. Retrieved 17 July 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ 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. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rakuraku_Biwako&oldid=739561304"