Akebono (train)

Since the 15 March 2008 timetable revision, Akebono services are normally formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Ueno (Tokyo) end.[5]

• Car 1 includes women-only couchettes and Goronto Seat couchettes without bedding.
• The KaNi 24 is a generator car.

The changes in rolling stock and locomotive haulage over the years are as shown below.[5]

• 
  An Akebono service hauled by Class EF71 and ED78 AC electric locomotives around 1987
• 
  An Akebono service hauled by a Class EF65-1000 DC electric locomotive in 1991
• 
  A pair of Class DE10 diesel locomotives on an Akebono service in August 1992
• 
  An Akebono service hauled by a Class ED75-700 AC electric locomotive in March 2010
• 
  An Akebono service hauled by a Class EF64-0 DC electric locomotive in 2009
• 
  Akebono service hauled by a Class EF81 locomotive in June 2007

The Akebono was introduced on 15 July 1962, as an express service running between Sendai and Aomori via Akita.[6] The train operated using a three-car KiHa 58 series DMU formation, consisting of KiHa 58 + KiRo 28 + KiHa 58.[6] The down service departed from Sendai Station at 13:50, arriving at Akita at 18:35, and reaching Aomori at 21:56. The up working departed from Aomori at 06:25, departing from Akita at 09:50, arriving at Sendai at 14:30.[6]

From April 1963, between Akita and Aomori, the train ran coupled with the two-car Shirayuki (しらゆき) express service, which ran between Kanazawa and Aomori along the Sea of Japan coast.[6]

From the start of the 1 October 1968 timetable revision, the train was renamed Kitakami (きたかみ).[6]

The name Akebono was revived from 1 July 1970 for a new overnight sleeping car service initially operating as a seasonal service between Ueno in Tokyo and Akita via Fukushima and the Uetsu Main Line using newly delivered 20 series sleeping cars.[6] From 1 October 1970, the train became a daily scheduled train, and was extended to run between Ueno and Aomori.[6] The down service departed from Ueno Station at 22:05, arriving at Akita at 07:20 the following morning, and reaching Aomori at 10:39. The up working departed from Aomori at 18:05, departing from Akita at 21:25, arriving at Ueno at 06:50 the following morning.[6]

From the start of the revised timetable in October 1973, a second daily return Akebono working was added, running between Ueno and Akita.[6] From 1 October 1980, the original 20 series sleeping cars were replaced by 24 series sleeping cars.[6]

From the start of the revised timetable in November 1982, a third daily return Akebono working was added.[6] However, with increasing competition from daytime train services and air services, services were cut back to two return workings daily between Ueno and Aomori from March 1988.[6]

From September 1990, with re-gauging work starting on the Ou Main Line between Fukushima and Shinjo in preparation for the new Yamagata Shinkansen, one return Akebono working was renamed Torikai (鳥海) and re-routed via the Joetsu Line and Uetsu Main Line. The remaining Akebono working was re-routed to run via the Rikuu East Line between Fukushima and Shinjo, requiring haulage by pairs of JNR Class DE10 diesel locomotives.[6]

From 22 March 1997, the train was again re-routed, this time running via the Joetsu Line from Ueno to Nagaoka, and then via the Uetsu Main Line to Akita and the Ou Main Line to Aomori.[5]

From the start of the revised timetable on 15 March 2014, regular Akebono services were discontinued, but services still operate during busy seasons.[5]