Ōzora (train) explained

Ōzora
Type:Limited express
Status:Operational
Locale:Sekishō Line
Nemuro Line
First:1 October 1961 (Ōzora)
22 March 1997 (Super Ōzora)
Last:13 March 2020 (Super Ōzora)
Operator:JR Hokkaido
Formeroperator:JNR
Stops:15
Distance:348.5km (216.5miles)
Journeytime:3 hours 58 minutes approx
Frequency:6 return services daily
Class:Standard + Green
Access:Yes
Observation:None
Entertainment:None
Sleeping:None
Otherfacilities:Toilets
Catering:None
Stock:KiHa 261 series DMU
KiHa 283 series DMU
El:Diesel
Speed:110 km/h (68 mph)
Owners:JR Hokkaido

The is a limited express train service between and in Hokkaido, Japan, operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). There are six trains per day running in both directions, with the fastest journeys taking 3 hours 58 minutes.[1]

History

The service commenced as the limited express on 1 October 1961, operating between Hakodate and Asahikawa using KiHa 80 series DMUs with one return working daily. The service was extended to run between Hakodate and Kushiro from 1967. By 1973, there were three return workings daily. In October 1980, following the opening of New Chitose Airport, services were reorganized, with just one return working daily between Sapporo and Kushiro. From October 1981, the train was rerouted via the Sekishō Line, reducing journey times by approximately one hour.[2] From 22 March 1997, four Ōzora services were upgraded to become following the introduction of new KiHa 283 series tilting DMUs.[1] The remaining Ōzora services using KiHa 183 series DMUs were phased out by 2001. KiHa 261 series DMUs were introduced on 14 March 2020, and the service has since been returned to simply Ōzora.

Stops

Trains stop at the following stations:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Stations in brackets are stations where only some trains stop at.

Rolling stock

The Ōzora is operated by 6-car KiHa 283 series and KiHa 261 series DMUs, [3] with car 1 at the Kushiro (eastern) end. All cars are no-smoking.

For departures using KiHa 283 series, cars 1, 2 and 4 to 6 are ordinary-class cars with 2+2 seating, and car 3 is a "Green" car with 2+1 seating.

Car No.1 2 3 4 5 6
AccommodationReserved Reserved Green Reserved Non-reserved Non-reserved
FacilitiesToilets   Toilets Wheelchair space,
accessible toilet
  Toilets

For departures using KiHa 261 series, car 1 is a "Green" car with 2+1 seating, and cars 2 to 6 are ordinary-class cars with 2+2 seating.

Car No.1 2 3 4 5 6
AccommodationGreen Reserved Reserved Reserved Non-reserved Non-reserved
Facilities  Wheelchair space,
accessible toilet
Toilets Toilets Toilets  

Former rolling stock

2011 derailment and fire

On 27 May 2011, the Super Ōzora 14 service from Kushiro to Sapporo was brought to an emergency stop inside the 685adj=midNaNadj=mid No. 1 Niniu Tunnel in Shimukappu, Hokkaidō, at around 21:55 after car number 2 of the 6-car formation became derailed. The train caught fire, and all of the 245 people on board, including train staff eventually evacuated the train. 39 were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burn injuries.[4] The burnt-out train was removed from the tunnel on 29 May 2011.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: JR新幹線&特急列車ファイル . JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File. Kōtsū Shimbun . 2008 . Japan . 978-4-330-00608-6.
  2. Book: 列車名鑑1995 (Train Name Directory 1995). Railway Journal. August 1995 . Japan.
  3. Web site: 特急おおぞら(283系・261系). Limited express Ōzora (KiHa 283 series, KiHa 261 series). ja. 2020-05-02. 2020-03-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20200318072947/https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/train/tr007_01.html. live.
  4. Web site: http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/donai/295437.html. ja:占冠のトンネル内でJR特急車両から白煙 39人軽いけが. 39 affected by smoke on JR express inside Shimukappu tunnel. 28 May 2011. Doshin Web. The Hokkaido Shimbun Press. Japan. ja. 30 May 2011. 30 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110530070134/http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/donai/295437.html. live.
  5. Web site: http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/donai/295687.html. ja:脱線火災の特急スーパーおおぞら、トンネル外に JR石勝線. JR Sekisho Line: derailed Super Ōzora express moved out of tunnel. 29 May 2011. Doshin Web. The Hokkaido Shimbun Press. Japan. ja. 30 May 2011. 1 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110601212939/http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/donai/295687.html. live.