| Hokuetsu | |
| Type: | Limited express |
| Status: | Discontinued |
| Locale: | Japan |
| First: | 1 March 1970 |
| Last: | 13 March 2015 |
| Frequency: | 5 return services daily |
| Line Used: | Hokuriku Main Line, Shinetsu Main Line |
| Class: | Standard + Green |
| Seating: | 2+2 unidirectional |
| Stock: | 485 series EMU |
| El: | 20 kV AC |
| Speed: | 120round=5NaNround=5 |
The was a limited express train service in Japan formerly operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) between and from 1970 until March 2015.[1]
Hokuetsu services were normally formed of 6-car 485 series (sets T12 - 16) or refurbished 485-3000 series electric multiple unit EMU trainsets (sets R21 - 28), based at Niigata Depot.[2]
The six-car 485 series sets were formed with car 1 at the Kanazawa end and car 6 at the Niigata end.[2] All cars are no smoking.[3]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numbering | KuRoHa 481 | MoHa 484 | MoHa 485 | MoHa 484 | MoHa 485 | KuHa 481 | ||
| Accommodation | Green | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved |
The 485 series sets had toilets in each car, while 485-3000 series sets had toilets in 1, 2, 4, and 6 only.[2]
The Hokuetsu was first introduced from 1 March 1970 as a limited express operating between and .[4] From 2 October 1978, the operating route was shortened to Kanazawa to Niigata.[5]
Hokuetsu services were discontinued from the start of the 14 March 2015 timetable revision, with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen between and .[6]