Shimizu Tunnel

Shimizu Tunnel (清水トンネル, Shimizu-tonneru) is a railroad tunnel in Gunma and Niigata Prefectures of Japan, operated by JR East Jōetsu Line. The name originates from the Shimizu mountain pass nearby. There are three tunnels near each other, which are the Shimizu Tunnel, the Shin-Shimizu Tunnel, and the Dai-Shimizu Tunnel.

Shimizu Tunnel
Entrance of Shin-Shimizu tunnel.
Overview
LineJōetsu Line
LocationGunma and Niigata Prefectures, Japan
Operation
Opened1931
OperatorJR East

Shimizu tunnel

The Shimizu tunnel is the oldest of the three, opened in 1931[1] after nine years of construction. The length of the tunnel is 9,702 m, and has a single track. Because of technical difficulties at the time, a spiral was built, with a diameter of 800 m.[2] This tunnel was the longest in Japan at the time.[3]

The construction improved the journey time between Niigata and Tokyo, decreasing it by 4 hours since trains no longer needed to go through the Usui Pass.[4] Because the tunnel was too long to be suitable for steam locomotives, the tracks in and around the tunnel were electrified from the beginning.

Shin-Shimizu tunnel

The Shin-Shimizu tunnel was made in 1967 to make the line double track, because of a high demand of transportation on the Joetsu line. The tunnel is 13,500 m long.

References
  1. JR East timeline Archived 2007-10-14 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Map around the area
  3. Website on Shimizu tunnel Archived 2006-02-07 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Toei Hotel introduction to Yuzawa and Joetsu Line

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