Kikuchi Line (railway) explained

Kikuchi Line
Native Name:菊池線
Native Name Lang:ja
Color:830d31
Image Alt:Type 03 running on the Kikuchi Line.
Type:Heavy rail
Locale:Kumamoto Prefecture
Stations:16
Owner:Kumamoto Electric Railway
Linelength Km:10.8
Electrification:Overhead line, DC 600 V
Website:www.kumamotodentetsu.co.jp

is a 10.8 km railway line owned by the Kumamoto Electric Railway, serving Kumamoto City and Kōshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. The line runs northward from Kami-Kumamoto Station on the Kagoshima Main Line, operated by JR Kyushu, terminating at Miyoshi Station.

Previously, the line ran as far as Kikuchi, Kumamoto, an onsen resort town. However, ticket sales were replaced with road traffic on Japan National Route 387, and the section between Miyoshi and Kikuchi ceased operations on February 16, 1986.

Operations

The line is electrified with overhead lines and is single-tracked for the entire line. Passing loops are located at Horikawa Station and Kuroishi Station. Kita-Kumamoto Station has a passing loop for trains continuing on the Fujisaki Line

Two types of passenger services run on the line. The first runs between Kami-Kumamoto Station and Kita-Kumamoto Station, while the second runs between Fujisakigū-mae Station on the Fujisaki Line to Miyoshi Station, running through Kita-Kumamoto. Both types of services stop at every station.[1] [2] Busses operated by the Kumamoto Electric Railway connect Miyoshi with Kikuchi along the abolished track.[3]

Stations

Current stations

No.NameDistance (km)ConnectionsLocation
KD01上熊本0.0JR Kyushu

Kagoshima Main Line
Kumamoto City Tram: Kami-Kumamoto Line

KumamotoKumamoto
KD02韓々坂0.7 
KD03池田1.4 
KD04打越2.1 
KD05坪井川公園2.6 
KD08北熊本3.4Kumaden

Fujisaki Line

KD10亀井4.6 
KD11八景水谷5.0 
KD12堀川5.9 
KD13新須屋6.9 Kōshi
KD14須屋7.4 
KD15三ツ石8.2 
KD16黒石9.0 
KD17熊本高専前9.9 
KD18再春医療センター前10.3 
KD19御代志10.8 

Terminated stations

NameDistance (km)Location
Ōike大池12.0KumamotoKōshi
Tsujikubo辻久保13.3
Takae高江駅15.4
Shisui泗水15.9Kikuchi
Tominohara富の原18.1
Hirose広瀬21.1
Fukagawa深川19.7
Kikuchi菊池24.3

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 上熊本駅 熊本電気鉄道菊池線 時刻表 . Navitime . 3 March 2019.
  2. Web site: [熊本電鉄]藤崎線 御代志方面(下り) 平日 ]. Ekikara . 3 March 2019.
  3. Web site: 路線図・系統マップ . Kumamoto Electric Railway . 3 March 2019.