Shinano (train)

The Shinano (しなの), branded as (Wide View) Shinano (（ワイドビュー）しなの) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), which runs between Nagoya and Nagano via Matsumoto.[1] Like all JR Central limited express trains, a limited express fee has to be paid, on top of the normal fare to ride this service. Until 26 March 2016, there was a daily return service which ran from Nagano to Ōsaka, which travelled a total distance of 441.2 km (274.1 mi), making the Shinano the furthest travelling limited express service in Japan with the whole journey taking approximately 5 hours 30 minutes. This service was discontinued on 26 March 2016 owing to low ridership.

Shinano
383 series electric train on a Shinano service in May 2007
Overview
Service typeLimited express
StatusOperational
First service11 November 1953 (Semi-express)
13 December 1959 (Express)
1 October 1968 (Limited express)
Last service26 March 2016 (Nagano - Ōsaka service)
Current operator(s)JR Central / JR East
Former operator(s)JNR
Route
StartNagoya
Stops15
EndNagano
Distance travelled250.8 km (155.8 mi)
Average journey time2 hours 55 minutes approx
Service frequencyApproximately one train an hour in each direction
Line(s) usedChūō Main Line, Shinonoi Line, Shin'etsu Main Line
On-board services
Class(es)Green + Standard
Disabled accessYes
Seating arrangements2+2 unidirectional
Sleeping arrangementsNone
Catering facilitiesNone
Observation facilitiesNone
Entertainment facilitiesNone
Other facilitiesToilets
Technical
Rolling stock383 series EMU
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph)[1]
Track owner(s)JR Central, JR East

Route

Trains start or terminate at Nagoya Station. There was a daily return service between Nagano and Ōsaka, which travelled a total distance of 274.1 miles (441.2 km), taking approximately 5 hours 30 minutes, once making the Shinano Japan's furthest travelling limited express service. The service was discontinued on 26 March 2016, due to declining passenger numbers. In the past, some trains also ran seasonally to Hakuba station but these ceased operations too.

Trains stop at the following stations:

Nagoya - (Kanayama) - Chikusa - Tajimi - (Ena) - Nakatsugawa - (Nagiso) - (Agematsu) - Kiso-Fukushima - Shiojiri - Matsumoto - (Akashina) - (Hijiri-Kōgen) - Shinonoi - Nagano

Stations in brackets indicate the stations where not all Shinano services stop at.

Rolling stock

Past
  • Preserved JNR KiHa 181 series DMU car
  • 381 series EMU on a seasonal Shinano service, July 2006

Accommodation

Green car (first class) and standard class accommodation is provided, with 2+2 abreast unidirectional seating in both classes.[1] Seat pitch is 1,200 mm (47 in) in Green class and 1,000 mm (39 in) in standard class.[1] All trains are no smoking. Onboard catering services ceased on 16 March 2013.

History

The Shinano service was first introduced on 11 November 1953 as a "semi-express" operating between Nagoya and Nagano.[2] This was upgraded to "express" status from 13 December 1959, and became a "limited express" from 1 October 1968.[2]

References
  1. JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. 2008. p. 32. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
  2. 列車名鑑1995 [Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995. p. 126.

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