Tsurugi (train service)

The Tsurugi (つるぎ, "sword") is a high-speed shinkansen train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between Toyama and Kanazawa on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line in Japan. The shinkansen service was introduced on 14 March 2015, but the name was first used for a limited express overnight "Blue Train" sleeping car train service operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later by JR West from 1961 until 1994. It was named after Mount Tsurugi.

Tsurugi
A JR East E7 series train on the Hokuriku Shinkansen
Overview
Service typeShinkansen
StatusOperational
LocaleHokuriku region, Japan
First service1 October 1961 (Limited express)
14 March 2015 (Shinkansen)
Current operator(s)Logo of the West Railway Company (JR West) JR West
Former operator(s)JNR
Route
TerminiToyama
Kanazawa
StopsShin-Takaoka
Distance travelled58.5 km
Average journey time23 minutes
Service frequency18 return services daily
Line(s) usedHokuriku Shinkansen
On-board services
Class(es)Green + Ordinary
Technical
Rolling stockE7 series, W7 series
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Electrification25 kV AC, 50/60 Hz overhead
Operating speed260 km/h (160 mph)

Service outline

As of 15 March 2015, 18 return Tsurugi services operate daily as a shuttle between Toyama and Kanazawa, calling at Shin-Takaoka en route, typically taking 23 minutes.[1] Trains operate at a maximum speed of 260 km/h (160 mph).[1]

Rolling stock
  • E7 series 12-car sets based at Nagano Depot, since 14 March 2015
  • W7 series 12-car sets based at Hakusan Depot, since 14 March 2015

Tsurugi services are operated using JR East E7 series and JR West W7 series 12-car train sets based at Nagano and Hakusan depots respectively.[1]

  • A JR East E7 series train on the Hokuriku Shinkansen
    A JR East E7 series train on the Hokuriku Shinkansen

Formations

Tsurugi shinkansen services use 12-car JR East E7 series and JR West W7 series trainsets, formed as follows, with car 1 at the Toyama (eastern) end. Cars 1 to 7 are ordinary-class cars with 2+3 seating, car 11 is a "Green" car with 2+2 seating, and cars 8 to 10 and 12 are not available for passenger use. All cars are no-smoking.[2]

Car No. 123456789101112
Accommodation Non-reservedNon-reservedNon-reservedNon-reservedReservedReservedReservedNot in useNot in useNot in useGreenNot in use
Facilities Toilets Toilets, phone Toilets Wheelchair space, accessible toilet, phoneWheelchair space, accessible toilet

History

Sleeping car Tsurugi
A Class EF81 electric locomotive at the head of a Tsurugi sleeping car service

The Tsurugi service was first introduced on 1 October 1961 as a limited express service operating between Osaka and Niigata.[3] Regular Tsurugi services were discontinued from the start of the revised timetable on 4 December 1994.[3]

Shinkansen Tsurugi

From 14 March 2015, the name Tsurugi was reinstated for use on all-stations shuttle services operating between Toyama and Kanazawa following the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen beyond Nagano.[1]

See also

References
  1. 長野～金沢のあらまし [Outline of Nagano to Kanazawa]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 44, no. 371. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. March 2015. pp. 12–14.
  2. JR Timetable. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. February 2015. EAN 4910053110259.
  3. Teramoto, Mitsuteru (July 2001). 国鉄・ＪＲ列車名大辞典 [JNR & JR Train Name Encyclopedia]. Tokyo, Japan: Chuoshoin Publishing Co., Ltd. pp. 164–165. ISBN 4-88732-093-0.
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