Kyushu Shinkansen
| Kyushu Shinkansen | ||
|---|---|---|
 | ||
 800 Series Shinkansen Tsubame at Shin-Minamata Station in November 2004 | ||
| Overview | ||
| Native name | 九州新幹線 | |
| Owner |  JRTT | |
| Locale | Kyushu (Fukuoka, Saga, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima Prefectures) | |
| Termini | Hakata Kagoshima-Chūō | |
| Stations | 12 | |
| Service | ||
| Type | Shinkansen | |
| Operator(s) |  JR Kyushu | |
| Depot(s) | Kumamoto Sendai | |
| Rolling stock | 800 series N700-7000/8000 series | |
| History | ||
| Opened | 2004 | |
| Technical | ||
| Line length | 256.8 km (159.6 mi) | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | |
| Electrification | 25 kV AC, 60 Hz overhead catenary | |
| Operating speed | 260 km/h (162 mph) | |
| ||
The Kyushu Shinkansen (九州新幹線, Kyūshū Shinkansen) is a Japanese high-speed railway line between the cities of Fukuoka and Kagoshima in Kyushu, running parallel to the existing Kagoshima Main Line and operated by JR Kyushu. It is an extension of the San'yō Shinkansen from Honshu. The southern 127 km (79 mi) was constructed first because the equivalent section of the former Kagoshima Main Line is single track, and thus a significant improvement in transit time was gained when this dual track section opened on 13 March 2004, despite the need for passengers to change to a Relay Tsubame narrow gauge train at Shin-Yatsushiro for the remainder of the journey to Hakata. The northern 130 km (81 mi) section opened on 12 March 2011 (although opening ceremonies were canceled due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami), enabling through-services to Shin-Osaka (and with a change of train, Tokyo).[1]
The construction of the first section of the West Kyushu Shinkansen route to Nagasaki (from Takeo-Onsen to Isahaya), approximately 45.7 km (28.4 mi) in length, began in 2008, with construction of the 21 km (13 mi) section from Isahaya to Nagasaki commencing in 2012. The entire line is due to open by Fiscal 2022.[2][3] Service was proposed to be provided by Gauge Change Train (GCT) trainsets, which are designed to operate on both existing narrow gauge lines and standard gauge Shinkansen lines; however, technical issues with the bogies resulted in the cancellation of the GCT.
On 28 October 2020 JR Kyushu announced it would utilize a 6-car version of the N700S series for the isolated section from Nagasaki, named , with a cross platform interchange to a relay service called 'Relay Kamome' at Takeo-Onsen station to connect to Hakata.[4][5][6] JR Kyushu also announced it would continue to use the name 'Kamome' for the Hakata-Nagasaki service, which has been in use since 1961.[5]
Kagoshima Route[]
Construction of the Kagoshima Route (鹿児島ルート) began in 1991, and the first segment between Kagoshima and Shin-Yatsushiro opened on 13 March 2004. This initial section cut travel times between the two cities from 130 minutes to 35 minutes, and reduced the time between Hakata and Kagoshima from 4 hours to 2 hours. When the entire line was completed, the travel time from Hakata to Kagoshima was further reduced to about an hour and 20 minutes. As of 2012, the maximum line speed is 260 km/h (160 mph) between Hakata and Kagoshima.[7] Like all Shinkansen lines, the Kyushu Shinkansen is standard gauge.
The line's Sakura and Mizuho services operate through to Shin-Ōsaka Station via the San'yō Shinkansen.
In September 2011, six months after the line's completion, JR Kyushu reported a year-over-year increase in ridership of 64 percent to the southern part of Kyushu (between Kumamoto and Kagoshima), easily surpassing the 40 percent increase projected by the company. By the one-year anniversary, ridership had increased, mainly from tourists from Kansai and Chugoku.[8] However, in northern Kyushu, where there is fierce competition with conventional JR rapid service, the private Nishi-Nippon Railroad, and expressway buses, Shinkansen ridership increased by only 38 percent (compared to the now-discontinued conventional express Relay Tsubame), falling short of estimates.[9]
2016 Kumamoto earthquakes[]
On the evening of 14 April 2016, the entire length of the Kagoshima Route was shut down after the first of two powerful earthquakes struck Kumamoto prefecture. There was extensive damage along the route, including cracks in elevated support structures at 25 locations[10] and collapsed sound insulation walls at around 80 locations.[11]
An 800 Series consist that was deadheading derailed near Kumamoto Station after the first tremor. On 18 April, JR Kyushu began attempts to return the derailed train to the tracks.[10]
On 27 April, the line reopened with reduced speed and service frequency.[12]
Nagasaki (West Kyushu) Route[]
A Shinkansen line from Fukuoka to Nagasaki, initially known as the Nagasaki Shinkansen (長崎新幹線), was laid out in the 1973 Basic Plan. Renamed as the Nagasaki Route (長崎ルート), then changed to the West Kyushu Route (西九州ルート, Nishi Kyūshū rūto) in 1995, the planning of the line had been slowed down by concerns over the necessity of duplicating the existing narrow-gauge Nagasaki Main Line and Sasebo Line between Shin-Tosu and Takeo-Onsen, and local opposition over the final section in Nagasaki city.[13]
The current plan involves continuing using the existing narrow gauge track from Shin-Tosu to Takeo-Onsen (though the planned duplication of the 12.8 km (8.0 mi) Hizen Yamaguchi to Takeo-Onsen section has not proceeded) and building a new Shinkansen line from Takeo-Onsen to Nagasaki. Initially proposed to be operated by Gauge Change Trains (GCT) from opening,[14] technical issues which resulted in the cancellation of the GCT has required consideration of other options.[15] The GCT was expected to allow a travel time of around 1 hour 12 minutes between the two cities, versus 1 hour 45 minutes currently, however JR Kyushu has decided upon a relay service involving a 'cross platform' transfer at Takeo-Onsen station. If the entire route was constructed to Shinkansen standard, travel time would be 41 minutes.[16]
Construction of the first 45.7 km (28.4 mi) segment between Takeo-Onsen and Isahaya began on 28 April 2008. Debate over the final section between Isahaya and Nagasaki continued for several years, before construction was finally approved by the government in December 2011.[13][17] The scheduled completion date is fiscal 2022 (March 2023).[18]
Other planned routes[]
According to the Shinkansen Basic Plan laid out in 1973, the Kagoshima and West Kyushu (Nagasaki) routes would be accompanied by two other routes: the East Kyushu Shinkansen, from Hakata to Kagoshima-chūō via Ōita and Miyazaki, paralleling the Nippō Main Line; and the Trans-Kyushu Shinkansen, linking Kumamoto and Ōita, and connecting with the also-planned Shikoku Shinkansen to Matsuyama, Takamatsu and Osaka. These plans have been shelved indefinitely, and are unlikely to be reconsidered until the completion of Shinkansen lines already under construction.
Station list[]
Tsubame trains stop at all stations. For Mizuho and Sakura, all trains stop at stations marked "●", while some trains stop at those marked "▲". All trains stop at Hakata, Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chūō.
Legend:
| ● | All trains stop |
|---|---|
| ｜ | All trains pass |
| ▲ | Some trains stop |
| Station | Japanese | Distance from Hakata (km) |
Distance from Shin-Ōsaka (km) |
Mizuho | Sakura | Transfers | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kagoshima Route | ||||||||
| Currently operational | ||||||||
| ↑ Through services towards Shin-Ōsaka via the Sanyō Shinkansen[19] ↑ | ||||||||
| Hakata | 博多 | 0.0 | 553.7 | ● | ● |
|
Hakata-ku, Fukuoka | Fukuoka |
| Shin-Tosu | 新鳥栖 | 26.3 | 580.0 | | | ● | Tosu | Saga | |
| Kurume | 久留米 | 32.0 | 585.7 | ▲ | ● |
|
Kurume | Fukuoka |
| Chikugo-Funagoya | 筑後船小屋 | 47.9 | 601.6 | | | ▲ |
|
Chikugo | |
| Shin-Ōmuta | 新大牟田 | 59.7 | 613.4 | | | ▲ | Ōmuta | ||
| Shin-Tamana | 新玉名 | 76.3 | 630.0 | | | ▲ | Tamana | Kumamoto | |
| Kumamoto | 熊本 | 98.2 | 651.9 | ● | ● |
|
Nishi-ku, Kumamoto | |
| Shin-Yatsushiro | 新八代 | 130.0 | 683.7 | | | ▲ |
|
Yatsushiro | |
| Shin-Minamata | 新水俣 | 172.8 | 726.5 | | | ▲ |
|
Minamata | |
| Izumi | 出水 | 188.8 | 742.5 | | | ▲ |
|
Izumi | Kagoshima |
| Sendai | 川内 | 221.5 | 775.2 | ▲ | ● |
|
Satsumasendai | |
| Kagoshima-Chūō | 鹿児島中央 | 256.8 | 810.5 | ● | ● |
|
Kagoshima | |
| West Kyushu Route (Nagasaki Route) | ||||||||
| On hold | ||||||||
| Shin-Tosu | 新鳥栖 | Tosu | Saga | |||||
| Saga | 佐賀 | Karatsu Line, Nagasaki Main Line, Sasebo Line | Saga | |||||
| Under construction, scheduled for completion fiscal 2022 | ||||||||
| Takeo-Onsen | 武雄温泉 | 0.0 | Sasebo Line | Takeo | Saga | |||
| Ureshino-Onsen | 嬉野温泉 | Ureshino | ||||||
| Shin-Ōmura | 新大村 | Ōmura | Nagasaki | |||||
| Isahaya | 諫早 | 45.7 | Nagasaki Main Line, Ōmura Line Shimabara Railway Line |
Isahaya | ||||
| Nagasaki | 長崎 | 66.7 | Nagasaki Main Line, Ōmura Line Nagasaki Electric Tramway (Nagasaki-Ekimae) |
Nagasaki | ||||
Services[]
Services are operated by 6-car 800 Series sets, with a maximum speed of 260 kilometers per hour (160 mph).[7] The trains were developed by Hitachi, and based on the 700 series trains already in service on the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen line.
Individual trains are named Tsubame ("Swallow"), the name of the former Hakata-Kagoshima limited express service. 8-car N700-7000 and N700-8000 series trains are used on through-running services between Shin-Osaka and Kagoshima-Chūō. The first set (S1) was delivered to Hakata Depot in October 2008.[20]
Three services operate on the line, in order of speed: Mizuho, Sakura, and Tsubame. The Mizuho makes two return trips between Shin-Osaka and Kagoshima-Chūō during the morning hours, and two return trips during the evening, with an end-to-end journey time of 3 hours 45 minutes. Sakura services run once per hour throughout the day between Shin-Osaka and Kagoshima-Chūō making additional stops, with an end-to-end travel time of 4 hours 10 minutes. There are also one to two Sakura services every hour between Hakata and either Kumamoto or Kagoshima-Chūō. Tsubame trains operate the all-stations shuttle service between Hakata and Kumamoto 1–2 times per hour, with some services operating to/from Kagoshima-Chūō.[21] Mizuho trains are not valid for foreign passengers travelling with a Japan Rail Pass.
References[]
- ^ 九州新幹線全線開通 博多－鹿児島中央 計画決定から３８年
- ^ Construction of new bullet train route starts in Kyushu
- ^ 建設計画・ルート. Pref.nagasaki.jp. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ "Shorter N700S to serve Nagasaki".
- ^ Jump up to: a b "2022年度秋頃に西九州新幹線が開業します!列車名「かもめ」". Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ "JR初の新型特急｢783系｣は型破りな異端児だった ｢ハイパーサルーン｣の愛称でJR九州の主力担う". 30 July 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "300km/hのトップランナー" [300 km/h Top Runners]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 52 no. 612. Japan: Kōyūsha Co., Ltd. April 2012. p. 14.
- ^ Kyodo News, "Shinkansen spurs Kyushu business", The Japan Times, 13 March 2012, p. 2.
- ^ Tsuchiya, Ryō (12 September 2011), 南部好調、北部で苦戦 九州新幹線、全線開通から半年, The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese), retrieved 12 September 2011
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Pictures reveal serious damage to Shinkansen in Kyushu". asahi.com. The Asahi Shimbun. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ "Reopening of Kyushu Shinkansen still a long way off". Mainichi Daily News. Mainichi Japan. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Kyushu Shinkansen resumes after quakes- News – NHK WORLD – English". NHK WORLD. NHK. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b 九州新幹線−長崎ルート：概要 – 未来鉄道データベース. Mifuru.to. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ ルート図. Pref.nagasaki.jp. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ "Nagasaki Shinkansen line project overhaul likely to prevent delays". Asia & Japan Watch. The Asahi Shimbun Company. 24 February 2016. Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- ^ 時間短縮効果 ～移動時間が大幅に短縮、社会・経済・文化の新たな交流を生み出します～. Pref.nagasaki.jp. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ 新幹線着工方針、経済界に喜び 一方で反発も 長崎 Archived 5 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Archived copy" ジャンプします. Nagasaki-np.co.jp. 9 October 2007. Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ Only Mizuho and Sakura services run through to the Sanyō Shinkansen.
- ^ Japan Railfan Magazine, December 2008 issue: "山陽・九州新幹線直通用車両 量産先行車", p.64-67
- ^ 平成23年春ダイヤ改正 (Press release) (in Japanese). JR Kyushu. 17 December 2010. Archived from the original on 20 December 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kyūshū Shinkansen. |
- Official website (in Japanese)
| show Shinkansen |
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show Japan Railways Group |
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| show JR Kyushu lines |
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| show High-speed railway lines |
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| show Authority control  |
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- High-speed railway lines in Japan
- Lines of Kyushu Railway Company
- Railway lines opened in 2004
- Standard gauge railways in Japan