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Asahi (train)
Encyclopedia
is the name of a limited-stop train service that operated until 2002 on the Jōetsu Shinkansen
in Japan.
services (Asahi 1 and 3) permitted to operate at 275 km/h in the tunnel section between Jōmō-Kōgen
and Urasa
using specially modified 200 series
(F90) sets, completing the journey in 1 hour 40 minutes (compared to the fastest journey time of 1 hour 37 minutes in 2008 for Toki
services operating at a maximum speed of 240 km/h).
and Sendai
. This service was renamed Benibana from 1 July 1982.
From the start of services on the newly opened Jōetsu Shinkansen on 15 November 1982, Asahi was the name used for the limited-stop shinkansen services operating initially between Ōmiya
and Niigata, later between Ueno
and Niigata, and eventually between Tokyo
and Niigata. At the start of Jōetsu Shinkansen operations in 1982, 11 Asahi services operated in each direction daily. With the start of shinkansen operations from Ueno on 14 March 1985, the number of Asahi services was increased to 34 in each direction daily. From 10 March 1990, two down services (nicknamed Super Asahi) were timed to operate at a maximum speed of 275 km/h in the tunnel section between Jōmō-Kōgen
and Urasa
. New E1 series
"Max" 12-car sets were introduced on Max Asahi services from 15 July 1994, with two workings in each direction daily between Tokyo and Niigata. The number of Max Asahi services was increased to five in each direction daily from 3 December 1994. E4 series
"Max" trains built in 1997 were first assigned to Max Asahi services on 7 May 2001.
The Asahi name was discontinued from 1 December 2002 when the Toki
name was re-introduced for all Tokyo to Niigata trains.
Joetsu Shinkansen
The is a high-speed railway line connecting Tokyo and Niigata, Japan, via the Tōhoku Shinkansen, operated by the East Japan Railway Company .-History:The program was initiated in 1971 by Niigata-born prime minister Tanaka Kakuei...
in Japan.
Operations
The Asahi shinkansen services ran approximately hourly, with two downRailroad directions
Railroad directions are used to describe train directions on railroad systems. The terms used may be derived from such sources as compass directions, altitude directions, or other directions...
services (Asahi 1 and 3) permitted to operate at 275 km/h in the tunnel section between Jōmō-Kōgen
Jomo-Kogen Station
is a train station located in Minakami, Gunma, Japan. The station opened on November 15, 1982. In 2006, there were 732 daily boardings at Jōmō-Kōgen station.-Station structure:...
and Urasa
Urasa Station
is a train station located in Minamiuonuma, Niigata, Japan. It opened on September 1, 1923.- Adjacent stations :-External links:*...
using specially modified 200 series
200 Series Shinkansen
The is a Shinkansen high-speed train type introduced by Japan National Railways for the Tōhoku Shinkansen and Jōetsu Shinkansen high-speed rail lines in Japan, and currently operated by East Japan Railway Company . They actually predate the 100 series trains, having been built between 1980 and 1986...
(F90) sets, completing the journey in 1 hour 40 minutes (compared to the fastest journey time of 1 hour 37 minutes in 2008 for Toki
Toki (train)
is the name of a train service operating on the Jōetsu Shinkansen in Japan.-History:The name Toki was first introduced on 10 June 1962 for limited express services operating between Ueno in Tokyo and Niigata on the Jōetsu Line...
services operating at a maximum speed of 240 km/h).
Rolling stock
- 200 series200 Series ShinkansenThe is a Shinkansen high-speed train type introduced by Japan National Railways for the Tōhoku Shinkansen and Jōetsu Shinkansen high-speed rail lines in Japan, and currently operated by East Japan Railway Company . They actually predate the 100 series trains, having been built between 1980 and 1986...
10/12-car sets (November 1982–November 2002) - E1 seriesE1 Series ShinkansenThe is a Shinkansen high-speed train type operated by East Japan Railway Company in Japan since 1994. They were the first double-deck trains built for Japan's Shinkansen...
12-car sets, as Max Asahi (July 1994–November 2002) - E2 seriesE2 Series ShinkansenThe is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen train type operated by East Japan Railway Company on the Tōhoku and Nagano Shinkansen high-speed lines in Japan since 1997. They are formed in 8- and 10-car sets. The 8-car sets are used on the Nagano Shinkansen, and the 10-car sets on Tōhoku Shinkansen...
8-car sets (December 1998–November 2002) - E4 seriesE4 Series ShinkansenThe is a high-speed shinkansen train type operated by East Japan Railway Company in Japan. They were the second series of completely bi-level Shinkansen trainsets to be built in Japan . They operate on the Tōhoku and Jōetsu Shinkansen, and occasionally on the Nagano Shinkansen...
8-car sets, as Max Asahi (May 2001–November 2002)
History
The name Asahi, meaning "morning sun" in Japanese, was first introduced on 1 November 1960 for services operating between NiigataNiigata Station
is a train station operated by East Japan Railway Company in Chūō-ku, Niigata, Japan. It opened on May 3, 1904.The station is at the centre of Niigata city, the largest city on the Sea of Japan coast in Honshū...
and Sendai
Sendai Station (Miyagi)
is the major railway hub of the Tōhoku region in Japan, serving more passengers than any station outside the Greater Tokyo Area. It is a stop for all Akita and Tōhoku Shinkansen trains, the eastern terminus for the Senzan Line, and major stop on both the Tōhoku Main Line and Senseki Line...
. This service was renamed Benibana from 1 July 1982.
From the start of services on the newly opened Jōetsu Shinkansen on 15 November 1982, Asahi was the name used for the limited-stop shinkansen services operating initially between Ōmiya
Omiya Station (Saitama)
is a railway station in Ōmiya-ku, Saitama, Japan. It is a major interchange station for the East Japan Railway Company .-JR East:* Tōhoku Shinkansen* Akita Shinkansen* Yamagata Shinkansen* Jōetsu Shinkansen* Nagano Shinkansen...
and Niigata, later between Ueno
Ueno Station
is a major railway station inTokyo's Taitō ward. It is the station used to reach the Ueno district and Ueno Park -- which contains Tokyo National Museum, The National Museum of Western Art, Ueno Zoo, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and other famous cultural facilities...
and Niigata, and eventually between Tokyo
Tokyo Station
is a train station located in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, near the Imperial Palace grounds and the Ginza commercial district....
and Niigata. At the start of Jōetsu Shinkansen operations in 1982, 11 Asahi services operated in each direction daily. With the start of shinkansen operations from Ueno on 14 March 1985, the number of Asahi services was increased to 34 in each direction daily. From 10 March 1990, two down services (nicknamed Super Asahi) were timed to operate at a maximum speed of 275 km/h in the tunnel section between Jōmō-Kōgen
Jomo-Kogen Station
is a train station located in Minakami, Gunma, Japan. The station opened on November 15, 1982. In 2006, there were 732 daily boardings at Jōmō-Kōgen station.-Station structure:...
and Urasa
Urasa Station
is a train station located in Minamiuonuma, Niigata, Japan. It opened on September 1, 1923.- Adjacent stations :-External links:*...
. New E1 series
E1 Series Shinkansen
The is a Shinkansen high-speed train type operated by East Japan Railway Company in Japan since 1994. They were the first double-deck trains built for Japan's Shinkansen...
"Max" 12-car sets were introduced on Max Asahi services from 15 July 1994, with two workings in each direction daily between Tokyo and Niigata. The number of Max Asahi services was increased to five in each direction daily from 3 December 1994. E4 series
E4 Series Shinkansen
The is a high-speed shinkansen train type operated by East Japan Railway Company in Japan. They were the second series of completely bi-level Shinkansen trainsets to be built in Japan . They operate on the Tōhoku and Jōetsu Shinkansen, and occasionally on the Nagano Shinkansen...
"Max" trains built in 1997 were first assigned to Max Asahi services on 7 May 2001.
The Asahi name was discontinued from 1 December 2002 when the Toki
Toki (train)
is the name of a train service operating on the Jōetsu Shinkansen in Japan.-History:The name Toki was first introduced on 10 June 1962 for limited express services operating between Ueno in Tokyo and Niigata on the Jōetsu Line...
name was re-introduced for all Tokyo to Niigata trains.