Chizu Express
The Chizu Express Company (智頭急行株式会社, Chizu kyūkō Kabushikigaisha) is a Japanese third-sector railway that connects Hyōgo, Okayama and Tottori prefectures. The Chizu Line is not electrified, but is a high-grade railroad, and extends a total of 56.1 kilometres. The limited expresses Super Hakuto and Super Inaba operate on this line.
Native name | 智頭急行株式会社 |
|---|---|
| Type | Third sector |
| Genre | Rail transport |
| Founded | 31 May 1986 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
Area served | Hyōgo, Okayama and Tottori prefectures |
| Services | Passenger railway |
| Website | www |
Chizu Express Chizu Line
| Chizu Express Chizu Line | |
|---|---|
 A Chizu Express HOT7000 series train | |
| Overview | |
| Native name | 智頭急行智頭線 |
| Status | In operation |
| Owner | Chizu Express |
| Locale | Hyōgo, Okayama and Tottori prefectures |
| Termini | |
| Stations | 14 |
| Service | |
| Type | Regional rail |
| Operator(s) | Chizu Express |
| Rolling stock | HOT7000 series DMU, HOT3500 series DMU, KiHa 187 series DMU |
| History | |
| Opened | 3 December 1994 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 56.1 km (34.9 mi) |
| Number of tracks | Entire line single tracked |
| Character | Rural |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Minimum radius | 260 m |
| Electrification | None |
| Operating speed | 130 km/h (81 mph) |
Some local trains operate through from the JR West Inbi Line (Tottori - Chizu).
| Name | Japanese | Distance (km) | Transfers | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamigōri | 上郡 | 0.0 |   Sanyo Main Line |
Hyōgo | Kamigōri, Akō District |
| Kokenawa | 苔縄 | 4.8 | |||
| Konohara-Enshin | 河野原円心 | 7.4 | |||
| Kuzaki | 久崎 | 12.2 | Sayō, Sayō District | ||
| Sayo | 佐用 | 17.2 |  Kishin Line | ||
| Hirafuku | 平福 | 22.5 | |||
| Ishii | 石井 | 27.1 | |||
| Miyamoto Musashi | 宮本武蔵 | 30.6 | Okayama | Mimasaka | |
| Ōhara | 大原 | 33.2 | |||
| Nishi-Awakura | 西粟倉 | 37.4 | Nishiawakura, Aida District | ||
| Awakura-Onsen | あわくら温泉 | 40.6 | |||
| Yamasato | 山郷 | 47.2 | Tottori | Chizu, Yazu District | |
| Koi-Yamagata | 恋山形 | 50.0 | |||
| Chizu | 智頭 | 56.1 |  Inbi Line | ||
| Through service to Tottori on the Inbi Line | |||||
History
Construction of the line was approved under the Railway Construction Act in 1922, and commenced by Japanese National Railways (JNR) in June 1966.[1] Work was well advanced when a freeze on expenditure in 1980 resulted in construction being halted with 95% of the route acquired and 93% of the earthworks completed.[1]
The Tottori Prefectural Government facilitated the establishment of the Chizu Express Company in May 1986, which resumed construction.[1]
The line opened on December 3, 1994, and includes the 5,592 m Shitozaka tunnel.[1]
From November 29, 1997, the JR limited express Super Inaba service commenced between Okayama and Tottori.[1]
See also
References
- Terada, Hirokazu (19 January 2013). データブック日本の私鉄 [Databook: Japan's Private Railways] (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. p. 158. ISBN 978-4-7770-1336-4.
External links
- Official website (in Japanese)
- "Company history books (Shashi)". Shashi Interest Group. April 2016. Wiki collection of bibliographic works on Chizu Express