Etsumi-Nan Line

The Etsumi-Nan Line (越美南線, Etsumi Nansen, "Etsumi South Line") is a railway line in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, operated by the third-sector operator Nagaragawa Railway (長良川鉄道, Nagaragawa Tetsudō). The line connects Mino-Ōta Station in Minokamo with Hokunō Station in Gujō. It is the only railway line operated by the Nagaragawa Railway. The line was originally operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR). JNR planned to connect the Etsumi-Nan Line and Etsumi-Hoku Line ("Etsumi North Line"), but the plan was never realized. The north line was later succeeded by West Japan Railway Company (JR West), while the south line was taken by Nagaragawa Railway, a newly founded third-sector company, in 1986. As the company name suggests, the line runs along Nagara River. As a consequence of Japan's declining population and frequent natural disasters (such as typhoons and heavy snowfall), the company is facing financial difficulties.

Etsumi-Nan Line
A Nagaragawa Railway Nagara 3 series train
Overview
Native name	越美南線
Status	Operational
Owner	Nagaragawa Railway
Locale	Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Termini	Mino-Ōta Hokunō
Stations	38
Service
Operator(s)	Nagaragawa Railway
Rolling stock	Nagaragawa Railway Nagara 2 Series DMU, Nagaragawa Railway Nagara 3 Series DMU, Nagaragawa Railway Nagara 500 Series DMU
History
Opened	5 October 1923
Technical
Line length	72.1 km (44.8 mi)
Number of tracks	Entire line single tracked
Character	Rural
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	Not electrified
Operating speed	80 km/h (50 mph)