| Chizu Express Company | |
| Native Name: | 智頭急行株式会社 |
| Native Name Lang: | ja |
| Type: | Third sector |
| Genre: | Rail transport |
| Foundation: | 31 May 1986 |
| Location Country: | Japan |
| Area Served: | Hyōgo, Okayama and Tottori prefectures |
| Services: | Passenger railway |
The is a Japanese third-sector railway that connects Hyōgo, Okayama and Tottori prefectures. The Chizu Line is not electrified, but is a high-grade railroad, and extends a total of 56.1 kilometres. The limited expresses Super Hakuto and Super Inaba operate on this line.
| Chizu Express Chizu Line | |
| Native Name: | 智頭急行智頭線 |
| Native Name Lang: | ja |
| Color: | 00008B |
| Type: | Regional rail |
| Status: | In operation |
| Locale: | Hyōgo, Okayama and Tottori prefectures |
| Stations: | 14 |
| Open: | 3 December 1994 |
| Owner: | Chizu Express |
| Operator: | Chizu Express |
| Character: | Rural |
| Stock: | HOT7000 series DMU, HOT3500 series DMU, KiHa 187 series DMU |
| Linelength: | 56.1km (34.9miles) |
| Tracks: | Entire line single tracked |
| Electrification: | None |
| Speed: | 130 km/h (81 mph) |
| Minradius: | 260 m |
| Map State: | collapsed |
Some local trains operate through from the JR West Inbi Line (Tottori - Chizu).
| Name | Japanese | Distance (km) | Transfers | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 上郡 | 0.0 | Sanyo Main Line | Hyōgo | Kamigōri, Akō District | ||
| 苔縄 | 4.8 | |||||
| 河野原円心 | 7.4 | |||||
| 久崎 | 12.2 | Sayō, Sayō District | ||||
| 佐用 | 17.2 | Kishin Line | ||||
| 平福 | 22.5 | |||||
| 石井 | 27.1 | |||||
| 宮本武蔵 | 30.6 | Okayama | Mimasaka | |||
| 大原 | 33.2 | |||||
| 西粟倉 | 37.4 | Nishiawakura, Aida District | ||||
| あわくら温泉 | 40.6 | |||||
| 山郷 | 47.2 | Tottori | Chizu, Yazu District | |||
| 恋山形 | 50.0 | |||||
| 智頭 | 56.1 | Inbi Line | ||||
| Through service to on the Inbi Line | ||||||
Construction of the line was approved under the Railway Construction Act in 1922, and commenced by Japanese National Railways (JNR) in June 1966.[1] Work was well advanced when a freeze on expenditure in 1980 resulted in construction being halted with 95% of the route acquired and 93% of the earthworks completed.[1]
The Tottori Prefectural Government facilitated the establishment of the Chizu Express Company in May 1986, which resumed construction.[1]
The line opened on December 3, 1994, and includes the 5,592 m Shitozaka tunnel.[1]
From November 29, 1997, the JR limited express Super Inaba service commenced between Okayama and Tottori.[1]