| Dinostar | |
| Type: | Limited express |
| Status: | Discontinued |
| Locale: | Japan |
| First: | 14 March 2015 |
| Last: | 15 March 2024 |
| Successor: | Hokuriku Shinkansen |
| Operator: | JR West |
| Frequency: | 3 return services daily |
| Line Used: | Hokuriku Main Line |
| Class: | Ordinary + Green |
| Stock: | 681 series, 683 series |
The was a limited express train service operated by the West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between and in Japan via the Hokuriku Main Line from 14 March 2015 until 15 March 2024.
Three return services operated daily between and, supplementing the existing Thunderbird services truncated with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension from to on 14 March 2015.[1]
The name was a portmanteau derived from the English words "dinosaur" for which Fukui is famous and "star".[1]
The services used the 681 series and 683 series EMUs used on Thunderbird services.[2]
Trains were normally formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Kanazawa (eastern) end. All cars were no-smoking.[3]
From the start of the revised timetable introduced on 26 March 2016, some services (Dinostar 1 and 6) operated as three-car formations with no Green car.[4]
The name of the new train services was officially announced by JR West's Kanazawa Division on 7 October 2014.[2]
From the start of the revised timetable that took place on 16 March 2024, all Dinostar services were discontinued with the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga.[5]