Etsumi-Hoku Line Explained
Etsumi-Hoku Line
(Kuzuryū Line) |
| Native Name: | 越美北線 |
| Color: | 0072bc |
| Type: | Heavy rail |
| Status: | In operation |
| Locale: | Fukui Prefecture |
| Stations: | 22 |
| Open: | 1960 |
| Owner: | JR West |
| Operator: | JR West |
| Character: | Rural |
| Stock: | KiHa 120 series DMU |
| Linelength: | 52.5 km (32.6 mi) |
| Tracks: | Entire line single tracked |
| Electrification: | None |
| Speed: | 85 km/h (53 mph) |
| Map State: | collapsed |
The, also called the, is a railway line operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. The line extends 52.5 km (32.6 mi) from Echizen-Hanandō Station in Fukui to Kuzuryūko Station in Ōno with a total of 22 stations.
The line was originally planned to connect to what is now the Nagaragawa Railway (previously Etsumi-Nan Line), but the last 24.0 km (14.9 mi) section that would have involved extensive tunneling was never commenced. A bus service provided a connection between the two lines until it ceased in 2002.
Route data
- Operating Company:
- Distance:
- Echizen-Hanandō - Kuzuryūko: 52.5 km / 32.6 mi.
- Gauge
Stations
- All trains stop at all stations.
- Between and trains run on the Hapi-Line Fukui Line (formerly Hokuriku Main Line).
- All stations located in Fukui Prefecture.
| Station | Japanese | Distance (km) | Transfers | Tracks | Location |
|---|
Between
stations | From Echizen-Hanandō |
|---|
| Hapi-Line Fukui Line |
| 福井駅 | - | 2.6 | | ∥ | Fukui |
| Etsumi-Hoku Line |
| 越前花堂駅 | 2.6 | 0.0 | Hapi-Line Fukui Line (for) | Y | Fukui |
| 六条駅 | 2.3 | 2.3 | | ｜ |
| 足羽駅 | 1.4 | 3.7 | | ｜ |
| 越前東郷駅 | 2.0 | 5.7 | | ｜ |
| 一乗谷駅 | 2.6 | 8.3 | | ｜ |
| 越前高田駅 | 3.1 | 11.4 | | ｜ |
| 市波駅 | 1.2 | 12.6 | | ｜ |
| 小和清水駅 | 2.0 | 14.6 | | ｜ |
| 美山駅 | 2.9 | 17.5 | | ◇ |
| 越前薬師駅 | 2.0 | 19.5 | | ｜ |
| 越前大宮駅 | 2.7 | 22.2 | | ｜ |
| 計石駅 | 2.2 | 24.4 | | ｜ |
| 牛ヶ原駅 | 3.2 | 27.6 | | ｜ | Ōno |
| 北大野駅 | 1.8 | 29.4 | | ｜ |
| 越前大野駅 | 2.0 | 31.4 | | ◇ |
| 越前田野駅 | 2.9 | 34.3 | | ｜ |
| 越前富田駅 | 1.4 | 35.7 | | ｜ |
| 下唯野駅 | 3.1 | 38.8 | | ｜ |
| 柿ヶ島駅 | 1.0 | 39.8 | | ｜ |
| 勝原駅 | 2.5 | 42.3 | | ｜ |
| 越前下山駅 | 6.5 | 48.8 | | ｜ |
| 九頭竜湖駅 | 3.7 | 52.5 | | ｜ | |
Legend- ◇ - stations with passing loops
- ∥ - double-tracked section
- ｜- single-tracked section
- Y - junction station
History
- December 15, 1960: Minami-Fukui - Echizen-Hanandō - Kadohara section (43.1 km) opens. Freight operations begin between Minami-Fukui - Echizen-Ōno.
- Echizen-Hanandō, Rokujō, Echizen-Tōgō, Ichijōdani, Ichinami, Kowashōzu, Miyama, Echizen-Yakushi, Echizen-Ōmiya, Hakariishi, Ushigahara, Echizen-Ōno, Echizen-Tomida, Shimo-Yuino, Kakigashima, Kadohara stations open.
- May 20, 1964: Asuwa, Echizen-Takada, Echizen-Tano stations open.
- October 15, 1965: Freight operations begin between Echizen-Ōno - Kadohara.
- March 25, 1968: Kita-Ōno Station opens.
- October 1, 1968: Freight operations end at Kadohara Station.
- December 15, 1972: Extension from Kadohara to Kuzuryūko (10.2 km) opens, including the 5251m Arashima tunnel.
- April 1, 1973: Freight operations end between Echizen-Ōno - Echizen-Tomida
- October 1980: Seasonal rapid train "Okuetsu-gō" begins operation.
- November 15, 1982: Freight operations end between Minami-Fukui - Echizen-Ōno, ending freight service on the entire line.
- April 1, 1987: With the breakup and privatization of Japan National Railways, line becomes part of West Japan Railway Company (JR West). Beginning of line moved 800 meters to Echizen-Hanandō Station.
- June 1, 1990: Driver-only operation begins.
- September 1, 1992: Regular rapid service begins.
- September 12, 1995: "Kuzuryū Line" name goes into use.
- September 1, 1997: Seasonal rapid train "Okuetsu-gō" ceases operation.
- March 3, 2001: Regular rapid service ends.
- July 18, 2004: Due to heavy rains, five railway bridges are washed away, forcing operations to stop.
- July 20, 2004: Service restored between Echizen-Ōno - Kuzuryūko.
- September 11, 2004: Service restored between Echizen-Hanandō - Ichijōdani, Miyama - Echizen-Ōno.
- June 30, 2007: Service restored between Ichijōdani - Miyama, allowing full service on the line to resume.
See also
