Ban'etsu West Line

The Ban'etsu - West line (Japanese磐 越 西 线, Ban'etsu - saisen ) is a Japanese railway line which runs between the stations Kōriyama in Fukushima Prefecture and Niitsu in Niigata, Niigata Prefecture. The name Ban'etsu consists of the name of the former provinces of Iwaki (磐 城) and Echigo (越 后), which are connected to each other by the Ban'etsu -west line and the Ban'etsu - East Line.

History

The plans for the route began in 1892 under the Act for the construction of Japanese railway routes (鉄 道 敷设 法, tetsudō - Fusetsu - hō ) under sponsorship of private Gan'etsu tetsudō (岩 越 鉄 道). The first section between Kōriyama and Nakayamajuku went on 26 July 1898 in operation. On the second stretch as far as Kitakata the company was incorporated in 1906.

In the same year Gan'etsu tetsudō was nationalized. The line was then on operated under the name Gan'etsu line.

The last phase of construction until after Niitsu was completed in 1914. The name Ban'etsu - West line is used since 1917.

In the 1960s, parts of the track were extensively modernized and for the operation of Limited Express high-speed trains ( Tokkyu ) expanded. Thus, the Aizu connection (あいづ) of Ueno was included in the route plan in Tokyo to Aizuwakamatsu 1965. In 1993, this connection has been shortened, so that from now on "Viva Aizu " said compounds reversed solely on the Ban'etsu - West line. The offer was in 2003 in " Aizu Liner" (あいづ ライナー) renamed.

The section between Kōriyama and Nakayamajuku was electrified in 1967. The section of Nakayamajuku after Niitsu is operated to date with diesel-electric multiple units.

Since 1987 the route of the East Japan Railway Company operates.

Driving information

The entire 175.6 km long Ban'etsu - West line - single track removed - except for (most) railway facilities at stations. The track follows in the mountainous section between Aizuwakamatsu and Maoroshi the Agano River, which they crossed several times and the turns they accompanied in a large number of short tunnels. Based on the Ban'etsu - West line can well understand, for whatever reason, the Cape gauge in Japan was introduced because the track has numerous curves with small radii.

Stations

Connections & Fleet

• キハE120
• キハ110
• キハ47
• キハ52
• キハ58

( Diesel Electric )

Some compounds towards Niitsu use from Niitsu Shin'etsu the main line and end at the Niigata train station.