Native name 三江線 Status Operational Stations 35 | Type Regional rail Termini Gōtsu
Miyoshi | |
 | ||
Locale Shimane and Hiroshima Prefectures Owner West Japan Railway Company | ||
Jr west sank line iwami kawamoto g tsu jr
The Sankō Line (三江線, Sankō-sen) is a railway line in western Japan operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West). The 108.1 km line connects Gōtsu in Shimane Prefecture with Miyoshi in Hiroshima Prefecture. Whilst the first section opened in 1930, the line was not completed until 1975, and features 30 tunnels. Due to declining patronage, the entire line is scheduled to close on 31 March 2018.
Contents
Jr 10 jul 2016 jr sank line
Rolling stock
Services on the line are operated by JR West single-car KiHa 120 diesel multiple units.
History
The Gotsu to Kawato section opened in 1930, and the line was extended progressively east, reaching Hamahara in 1937. The Miyoshi to Shikijiki section opened in 1955 as a passenger-only line, and was extended to Kuchiba in 1963, and Hamahara in 1975, completing the line.
Closure plans
On 16 October 2015, JR West announced that it was considering closing the line due to poor patronage, and was in discussion with the two prefectures served by the line, Shimane and Hiroshima, as well as other municipalities served, concerning future plans. In fiscal 2014, the line carried an average of 50 passengers per km per day, compared to 458 per km per day in 1987. On 29 September 2016, JR West announced that the entire line will close on 31 March 2018.