Shinkansen Relay
Encyclopedia
is the name of a train service operated by Japan National Railways (JNR) in Japan between 1982 and 1985.
When the Tōhoku Shinkansen
was opened in June 1982, the planned section between Ueno
in Tokyo and Ōmiya
was not complete, with shinkansen services starting and terminating at Ōmiya Station. The Shinkansen Relay was therefore provided to shuttle passengers between Ueno and Ōmiya via the narrow gauge
Tōhoku Main Line. Initially, 13 down and 14 up services operated daily, taking 26 minutes for the non-stop journey. From November 1982, the frequency was increased to 28 down and 29 up services daily, running at 30-minute intervals during the daytime off-peak. Services consisted of pairs of 7-car 185-200 series EMUs, providing a total seating capacity of 848. One Shinkansen Relay service served a pair of Tōhoku Shinkansen
and Jōetsu Shinkansen
services. Express 455 series and suburban 115 series
EMUs were also used on some trains.
The Shinkansen Relay service ended on 13 March 1985, the day before the Tōhoku Shinkansen
opened between Ueno and Ōmiya. The 185-200 series EMUs were reassigned for use on other Limited express
services such as the Kusatsu
.
The Shinkansen Relay name was reintroduced between 1998 and 2001 for morning and evening limited-stop services between Hachiōji
and Ōmiya
via the Musashino Line
to provide connections to northbound shinkansen services for passengers originating from the Chūō Line (Rapid)
area. Services were introduced in 1997 as the Komachi Relay before becoming the Shinkansen Relay, and were formed of 6-car 165
and 169 series
EMU formations. The services were renamed Musashino
from 2001.
When the Tōhoku Shinkansen
Tohoku Shinkansen
The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen rail line, connecting Tokyo with Aomori in Aomori Prefecture for a total length of 674 km, Japan's longest Shinkansen line. It runs through the more sparsely populated Tōhoku region of Japan's main island Honshu. It has two spur lines, Yamagata...
was opened in June 1982, the planned section 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...
in Tokyo and 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...
was not complete, with shinkansen services starting and terminating at Ōmiya Station. The Shinkansen Relay was therefore provided to shuttle passengers between Ueno and Ōmiya via the narrow gauge
Narrow gauge
A narrow gauge railway is a railway that has a track gauge narrower than the of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of between and .- Overview :...
Tōhoku Main Line. Initially, 13 down and 14 up services operated daily, taking 26 minutes for the non-stop journey. From November 1982, the frequency was increased to 28 down and 29 up services daily, running at 30-minute intervals during the daytime off-peak. Services consisted of pairs of 7-car 185-200 series EMUs, providing a total seating capacity of 848. One Shinkansen Relay service served a pair of Tōhoku Shinkansen
Tohoku Shinkansen
The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen rail line, connecting Tokyo with Aomori in Aomori Prefecture for a total length of 674 km, Japan's longest Shinkansen line. It runs through the more sparsely populated Tōhoku region of Japan's main island Honshu. It has two spur lines, Yamagata...
and Jōetsu Shinkansen
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...
services. Express 455 series and suburban 115 series
115 series
The is a DC electric multiple unit train type developed by Japanese National Railways and now operated by East Japan Railway Company , West Japan Railway Company , and the Shinano Railway.-JR East:...
EMUs were also used on some trains.
The Shinkansen Relay service ended on 13 March 1985, the day before the Tōhoku Shinkansen
Tohoku Shinkansen
The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen rail line, connecting Tokyo with Aomori in Aomori Prefecture for a total length of 674 km, Japan's longest Shinkansen line. It runs through the more sparsely populated Tōhoku region of Japan's main island Honshu. It has two spur lines, Yamagata...
opened between Ueno and Ōmiya. The 185-200 series EMUs were reassigned for use on other Limited express
Limited express
A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes.- Japan :...
services such as the Kusatsu
Kusatsu (train)
The is a limited express train service in Japan operated by JR East which runs between Ueno in Tokyo and Manza-Kazawaguchi.-History:The Kusatsu service began on 1 June 1960 as a semi express between Ueno and Naganohara The is a limited express train service in Japan operated by JR East which runs...
.
Rapid Shinkansen Relay
Hachioji Station
is a railway station in the city of Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company . It opened on August 11, 1889.-Lines:The Chūō Main Line passes through Hachiōji Station. The Yokohama Line and Hachikō Line terminate here...
and 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...
via the Musashino Line
Musashino Line
The is a railway line operated by the East Japan Railway Company . It links Tsurumi Station in Yokohama with Nishi-Funabashi Station in Chiba Prefecture, forming a 100.6 km unclosed loop around central Tokyo...
to provide connections to northbound shinkansen services for passengers originating from the Chūō Line (Rapid)
Chuo Line (Rapid)
The is the name given to rapid services on the eastern section of the Chūō Main Line operated by the East Japan Railway Company between and stations.-Basic data:*Operator: East Japan Railway Company **Tokyo – Takao:...
area. Services were introduced in 1997 as the Komachi Relay before becoming the Shinkansen Relay, and were formed of 6-car 165
165 series
The was an express electric multiple unit train type introduced in 1963 by Japanese National Railways .-History:In the early 1960s, the Chūō Main Line and Shinetsu Line were electrified, requiring new EMUs for express services...
and 169 series
169 series
The is an express EMU type introduced in 1969 by Japanese National Railways , and currently operated by the Shinano Railway in Nagano Prefecture in Japan. This EMU was developed from the 165 series EMUs....
EMU formations. The services were renamed Musashino
Musashino (train)
The is an all-stations train service in Japan operated by the East Japan Railway Company between and in Tokyo and in Saitama Prefecture.-Service pattern:...
from 2001.