Biwako Express
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Limited express |
| Status | Operational |
| Predecessor | Biwako Liner |
| First service | 2 June 2003 |
| Current operator(s) | JR West |
| Route | |
| Start | Osaka |
| End | Kusatsu/Maibara |
| Distance travelled | 110.5 km (68.7 mi) |
| Average journey time | approx. 1 hr 25 mins |
| Line used | Tokaido Main Line (Biwako Line and JR Kyoto Line) |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | Ordinary + Green |
| Catering facilities | None |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | 683 series EMUs, KiHa 189 series DMUs |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | 1,500 V DC overhead |
| Operating speed | 130 km/h (80 mph) |
The Biwako Express (びわこエクスプレス Biwako Ekusupuresu) is a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between Osaka and Maibara or Kusatsu in Japan since June 2003. It replaced the previous Biwako Liner services.[1]
Service pattern
As of April 2016, one weekday morning service (Biwako Express 1) runs from Maibara to Osaka, and two weekday evening services (Biwako Express 2 & 4) run from Osaka to Kusatsu and Maibara respectively, with the journey time from Osaka to Maibara taking approximately 1 hour 25 minutes.[2]
Rolling stock
- 683 series 9-car EMU sets
- KiHa 189 series 3-car DMU (since March 2014)
Services were initially operated using the nine-car 681 series or 683 series EMUs used on Thunderbird services.[1]
-
A 683-4000 series EMU
-
A KiHa 189 series DMU
Formations
Biwako Express 1 and 4
Biwako Express 1 and 4 (between Osaka and Maibara) are formed as follows, with car 1 at the Maibara end.[2]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Green | Reserved | Reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved |
Biwako Express 2
Biwako Express 2 (Osaka to Kusatsu) is formed as follows, with car 1 at the Osaka end.[2]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Reserved |
| Facilities | Wheelchair-accessible toilet |
- All cars are standard class and no-smoking.[2]
- Trains run as 6-car formations during busy periods.[2]
History
The Biwako Express services were introduced from 2 June 2003.[3]
The services were made entirely no-smoking from 1 June 2009.[4]
See also
References
- 1 2 JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2008. p. 40. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
- 1 2 3 4 5 JR時刻表 [JR Timetable] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. March 2016. pp. 110, 985.
- ↑ 特急｢びわこエクスプレス」の運転、 特急｢はるか｣の米原延長運転の開始 [Start of Biwako Express limited express service and extension of Haruka services to Maibara]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 11 October 2003. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ↑ 在来線特急列車などの全席禁煙化ならびに在来線ホームの禁煙化の拡大について [Complete ban of smoking on limited express trains and station platforms]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
External links
- JR West 683 series Biwako Express (Japanese)
- JR West KiHa 189 series Biwako Express (Japanese)
Named trains of West Japan Railway Company | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen | .svg.png){kind=logo} | |
| Limited express (daytime) |
| |
| Limited express (overnight) | ||
| Rapid | ||
| Other | ||
| Discontinued | ||