| Aizu Liner | |
| Type: | Rapid |
| Locale: | Fukushima Prefecture |
| Operator: | JR East |
| Journeytime: | 1 hour |
| Frequency: | 3 return services daily |
| Line Used: | Banetsu West Line |
| Class: | Standard only |
| Stock: | 485 series/583 series EMUs |
| El: | 20,000 V AC overhead |
| Speed: | 95round=5NaNround=5 |
The was a limited-stop "Rapid" train service in Japan operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) between and on the Banetsu West Line in Fukushima Prefecture.[1]
Services consist of three trains in each direction daily. Some trains are extended to run to and from during busy seasons.[2]
Services stop at the following stations. Not all services stop at Kikuta Station.[2]
- - - - -
Services are normally formed of a 6-car 485 series limited express-type electric multiple unit (EMU) set number G55/58 based at Sendai Depot, sometimes substituted by a 6-car 583 series EMU (set N1/2).[1] [3] Prior to 25 February 2012, services were normally operated by Sendai-based 6-car 485 series set A1/2.[3] [4]
Trains are formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Kōriyama end. Cars 5 and 6 are reserved-seating cars.[1]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numbering | KuHa 481 | MoHa 484 | MoHa 485 | MoHa 484 | MoHa 485 | KuHa 481 | |
| Accommodation | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Reserved | Reserved |
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numbering | KuHaNe 583 | MoHaNe 582 | MoHaNe 583 | MoHaNe 582 | MoHaNe 583 | KuHaNe 583 | |
| Accommodation | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Reserved | Reserved |
In June 2011, the Sendai-based 6-car 485 series EMU set A1/2 normally used on Aizu Liner services was repainted from its previous "Akabē" livery into JNR beige and maroon, returning to service from 2 June 2011.[5]
From 25 February 2012, set A1/2 was replaced by 6-car set 485 series set G55/58, a refurbished set, transferred from Oyama Depot and previously used on Nikkō and Kinugawa services.[3]
Regular Aizu Liner services were discontinued from the start of the revised timetable introduced on 14 March 2015.[6] Seasonal rapid services, named simply Aizu operate during busy holiday periods, which used six-car 485 series EMU trainsets until the timetable revision in March 2020, at which point the service began to be operated with E721 series EMUs equipped with a reserved seat section.[7]