Kure_Line

Kure Line

Kure Line

Railway line in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan

The Kure Line (呉線, Kuresen) is a railway line operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) within Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan. It begins at Mihara Station in Mihara and terminates at Kaitaichi Station in Kaita. It is one of the main lines of JR West. The section between Mihara Station to Hiro Station is branded the "Setouchi Sazanami Line" (Seto Inland Sea Ripple Line) as the sightseeing line. On the section between Mihara Station and Hiro Station, most trains operate from Hiro Station through Mihara Station to Itozaki Station. On the section between Hiro Station and Kaitaichi Station, most trains operate from Hiro Station through Kaitaichi Station to Hiroshima Station or Iwakuni Station.

Quick Facts Overview, Other name(s) ...

Special trains

A 115 series train on an Akiji liner Rapid Service
  • Akiji Liner: Runs the section between Hiroshima Station to Kure Station in about 30 minutes.
  • etSETOta: Sightseeing train operated since October 1, 2005. Renamed from Setouchi Marine View in 2019.[1]

Stations

The Kure Line is entirely within Hiroshima Prefecture.

More information Line, No. ...

Rolling stock

New 2- and 3-car 227 series electric trains are scheduled to be introduced on the Kure Line from around 2015, replacing older 115 series trains.[2]

History

The Kaitashi - Kure section was opened as a private line in 1903, and leased to the Sanyo Railway Co. the following year, before being nationalised in 1906. Individual section opening dates are given below.

The Mihara - Sunami section opened in 1930, and the two sections were connected in 1935. Work to duplicate the line at Kure commenced in 1940, but was abandoned due to material shortages in 1945.

The entire line was electrified in 1970, and freight services ceased in 1986.

Kure Line

Sango Line

Integration

After integration

  • Closed Kawaraishi Station on December 1, 1940.
  • Renamed Mitsuuchinoumi Station to Yasuura Station on May 1, 1946.
  • Renamed Akimitsu Station to Akitsu Station on December 20, 1949.
  • Re-opened Kawaraishi Station on August 1, 1958.
  • Closed temporary stations (Karyugahama Station and Akihamasaki Station) on August 1, 1967.
  • Electrified the rail way on September 15, 1970.
  • Stopped cargo services on December 1, 1986.
  • Privatized as JR West on April 1, 1987.
  • Opened Kure-Portopia Station on March 19, 1992.
  • Opened Akinagahama Station on October 1, 1994.
  • Opened Karugahama Station and Mizushiri Station and moved Kawaraishi Station on February 7, 1999.
  • Opened Shinhiro Station on March 23, 2002.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kure Line.
  1. [1]
    "呉線観光列車「瀬戸内マリンビュー」運行終了記念イベントの実施について". westjr.co.jp. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  2. [2]
    "JR西日本、広島地区に227系近郊形直流電車を投入" [JR West to introduce 227 series DC suburban trains in Hiroshima area]. The Page (in Japanese). Japan: Wordleaf Corporation. 19 June 2014. Archived from the original on 19 June 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
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