Native name 川越線 Opened 1940 Line length 30.6 km (19.0 mi) | Type Heavy rail Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Stations 11 | |
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Terminis Ōmiya Station, Komagawa Station | ||
Japan railway jr kawagoe line 205 series 205 3001 komagawa station 4 7 2013
The Kawagoe Line (川越線, Kawagoe-sen) is a railway line in Japan operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East), which connects the cities of Saitama, Kawagoe, and Hidaka in Saitama Prefecture. The main transfer stations on the line are Ōmiya, Kawagoe, and Komagawa.
Contents
- Japan railway jr kawagoe line 205 series 205 3001 komagawa station 4 7 2013
- Japan railway driver s view jr kawagoe line kasahada st matoba st 9 26 2013
- Services
- Station list
- Rolling stock
- Rolling stock previously used
- Line opening
- Switch to diesel
- Electrification
- Hachik Line through services
- References
Japan railway driver s view jr kawagoe line kasahada st matoba st 9 26 2013
Services
The section between Kawagoe and Ōmiya operates as an extension of the Saikyō Line from central Tokyo, with most trains traveling through to/from Ōsaki and on to/from Shin-Kiba via the Rinkai Line. On the section between Kawagoe and Komagawa, about half of all trains travel through to/from Hachiōji via the Hachikō Line.
Except for a few rush-hour trains that start and terminate at Minami-Furuya, all eastbound trains from Komagawa and westbound trains from Ōmiya terminate at Kawagoe. Passengers wishing to travel beyond Kawagoe must change trains there.
Station list
Rolling stock
The electric multiple unit (EMU) fleet used on Kawagoe Line services is based at Kawagoe Depot (close to Minami-Furuya Station). The first of a fleet of 31 new 10-car E233-7000 series sets were introduced on Saikyo Line, Kawagoe Line, and Rinkai Line services between Kawagoe and Shin-Kiba from 30 June 2013, displacing all but one of the fleet of 205 series EMUs. As of February 2015, 205 series set 28 remains in service while the E233-7000 series fleet undergoes modifications.
Rolling stock previously used
Line opening
A line linking Ōmiya with Kawagoe and continuing to the Hachikō Line at Komagawa was first proposed in March 1920. Construction work started in September 1935, with the line opening on 22 July 1940.
Switch to diesel
Services were initially steam hauled, but diesel multiple unit trains were introduced from 1 June 1950. The final steam-hauled passenger train ran on 30 September 1969.
Electrification
The line was electrified (1,500 V DC) from 30 September 1985, and through running commenced to and from the Saikyō Line, which opened at the same time. The tracks were doubled between Ōmiya to Nisshin, and a new EMU depot was opened close to Minami-Furuya Station. A special "Kawagoe Line Diesel Sayonara" train ran on the line on 3 November 1985.
Hachikō Line through services
Through services between Kawagoe and Hachiōji on the Hachikō Line began on 16 March 1996 following the electrification of the southern section of the Hachikō Line between Komagawa and Hachiōji.