Kita-Matsue Line Explained

Kita-Matsue Line
Native Name:北松江線
Native Name Lang:ja
Color:darkorange
Image Alt:A 5000-series passenger train on the Kita-Matsue Line along Lake Shinji
Type:Heavy rail
Locale:Shimane Prefecture
Stations:22
Owner: Ichibata Electric Railway
Linelength Km:33.9
Electrification:Overhead line, DC 1,500 V
Speed Km/H:85
Website:http://www.ichibata.co.jp
Map State:collapsed

The is a 22.9 km railway line owned by the Ichibata Electric Railway. The line connects Dentetsu-Izumoshi Station in Izumo with Matsue-Shinjiko-Onsen Station in Matsue, all within Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Tracks run parallel to JR West's San'in Main Line on the north of Lake Shinji.

History

The line was first built to transport worshippers between Izumo and Ichibata Yakushi, a shrine to the east of the city. An extension to Matsue was completed in 1928.[1] Before World War II, the line connected directly to Ichibata Yakushi, where a station named Ichibata Station was located nearby. However, during the war, the line was designated as an "unnecessary line", and in 1944 the section between Ichibata and Ichibataguchi Station was closed. This section would later be disassembled in 1960 and parts were offered to the Nagoya Railroad. Because of this, there is still a switchback at Ichibataguchi Station.

Centralized traffic control was introduced to the line in 1966.

Operations

The line is electrified with overhead lines and is single-tracked for the entire line.

Some services branch off the line at Kawato Station and continue along the Taisha Line to Izumo Taisha-mae Station.[2] There are local, express, and limited express services that run along on the line, along with the Izumotaisha express service and the Superliner limited express.[3]

Stations

All stations are within Shimane Prefecture.

CodeNameDistance (km)ConnectionsLocation
1電鉄出雲市0.0JR WestIzumo
2Izumo Science Center
Park Town Mae Station
出雲科学館
パークタウン前
0.8 
3大津町駅2.0 
4武志4.1 
5川跡4.9Taisha Line
6大寺6.4 
7美談7.7 
8旅伏9.0 
9雲州平田10.9 
10布崎14.5 
11湖遊館新駅15.2 
1215.9 
13一畑口17.5 
14伊野灘19.4 
15津ノ森21.2 Matsue
16高ノ宮駅22.5 
17松江フォーゲルパーク23.8 
18秋鹿町25.0 
19長江26.7 
20朝日ヶ丘28.0 
21松江イングリッシュ
ガーデン前
29.6 
22松江しんじ湖温泉33.9 

Notes and References

  1. News: 地方鉄道運輸開始 . 29 April 2019 . Kanpō . 385 . April 13, 1928 . 7 . Japanese.
  2. Web site: Timetable . Ichibata Electric Railway . 26 April 2019 . 1 April 2017.
  3. Web site: Service Route . Ichibata Electric Railway . 26 April 2019.