Harman Patil (Editor)

Kawagoe Line

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Native name
  
川越線

Opened
  
1940

Line length
  
30.6 km (19.0 mi)

Locale
  
Saitama Prefecture

Type
  
Heavy rail

Depot(s)
  
Kawagoe

Track gauge
  
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Stations
  
11

Kawagoe Line httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Owner
  
East Japan Railway Company

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 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

  • All stations are located in Saitama Prefecture.
  • Passengers bound for Ōmiya or Komagawa must change trains at Kawagoe. However, during early mornings and evenings, some trains leaving Kawagoe depot provide service from Minami-Furuya to Komagawa.
  • All rapid or commuter rapid trains to/from the Saikyō Line stop at every station on the Kawagoe Line.
  • Trains can pass each other at stations marked "∥", "∨", and "◇"; they cannot pass at stations marked "｜".

    • Rolling stock

  • 205 series 10-car EMUs x 32 (Kawagoe Line/Saikyo Line/TWR Rinkai Line services until October 2016)
  • TWR 70-000 series 10-car EMUs (Kawagoe Line/Saikyo Line/TWR Rinkai Line services)
  • 205-3000 series 4-car EMUs x 5 (Kawagoe Line/Hachikō Line services)
  • 209-3000 series 4-car EMUs x 4 (Kawagoe Line/Hachiko Line services since March 1996)
  • 209-3100 series 4-car EMUs x 2 (Kawagoe Line/Hachiko Line services since 17 April 2005)
  • E233-7000 series 10-car EMUs (Kawagoe Line/Saikyo Line/TWR Rinkai Line services since 30 June 2013)

    • 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

  • 9600 class steam locomotives (until September 1969)
  • KiHa 07 diesel cars (from 1955)
  • KiHa 15 DMUs
  • KiHa 20 DMUs
  • KiHa 35 DMUs (1964 – September 1985)
  • 103-3000 series EMUs (from March 1985 until October 2005)
  • 103-3500 series EMU (from March 1996 until March 2005)

    • 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.

    References

    Kawagoe Line Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA