The Yahiko Line (弥彦線, Yahiko-sen) is a Japanese railway line operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) which connects Yahiko Station in the village of Yahiko and Higashi-Sanjō Station in the city of Sanjo, both in Niigata Prefecture. The line shares its name with both Yahiko Village and nearby Mt. Yahiko.

Yahiko Line
Overview
Native name弥彦線
OwnerJR East
LocaleNiigata Prefecture
Termini
Stations8
Service
TypeRegional rail
Rolling stockE129 series
History
Opened1916; 108 years ago (1916)
Technical
Line length17.4 km (10.8 mi)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Operating speed85 km/h (55 mph)
Route map

0.0
Yahiko (弥彦)
2.3
Yahagi (矢作)
4.9
Yoshida (吉田)
Otori River
8.0
Nishi-Tsubame (西燕)
10.3
Tsubame (燕)
Nakanokuchi River
Hokuriku Expressway (E8)
12.9
Tsubame-Sanjō (燕三条)
Shinano River
15.4
Kita-Sanjō (北三条)
17.4
Higashi-Sanjō (東三条)
Echigo-Ōsaki (越後大崎)
Ōura (大浦)
Echigo-Nagasawa (越後長沢)
Line map

Services

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All trains on the line operate as local services stopping at all stations. Most services run between Yahiko and Yoshida, and Yoshida and Higashi-Sanjō. A few services run the full length of the line from Yahiko to Higashi-Sanjō, and one service in the mornings in both directions runs through to the Echigo Line toward Teradomari. There is an hourly service in the mornings and evenings, and service every 2–3 hours during the mid-day.

Stations

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Stations of Yahiko Line
Name Japanese Distance
(km)
Transfers   Location
Yahiko 弥彦 0.0   Yahiko Niigata Prefecture
Yahagi 矢作 2.3  
Yoshida 吉田 4.9 Echigo Line Tsubame
Nishi-Tsubame 西燕 8.0  
Tsubame 10.3  
Tsubame-Sanjō 燕三条 12.9  Joetsu Shinkansen Sanjō
Kita-Sanjō 北三条 15.4  
Higashi-Sanjō 東三条 17.4 Shinetsu Main Line
Echigo-Ōsaki 越後大崎 - Closed 1985
Ōura 大浦 - Closed 1985
Echigo-Nagasawa 越後長沢 - Closed 1985

Symbols:

  • | - Single-track
  • ◇ - Single-track; station where trains can pass

Rolling stock

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E127 series EMUs and 115-1000 series EMUs at Yoshida Station

New E129 series EMUs were introduced on local services on the line from fiscal 2014.[1]

Former

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  • 115-500 series 2 car EMUs (until March 2015)
  • 115-1000 series 3-car EMUs (until 11 March 2022)
  • E127 series 2-car EMUs (from March 2015 to 11 March 2022)

History

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The Echigo Railway opened the Yahiko to Yoshida section in 1916 and extended the line to Higashi-Sanjo in 1926. The company was nationalised in 1927.[citation needed]

Freight services ceased in 1960, and the line was electrified in 1984.[citation needed]

Former connecting lines

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  • Tsubame Station: The Niigata Kotsu opened a 34 km line electrified at 1,500 V DC to Sekiya on the Echigo Line in 1933. Freight services ceased in 1982, and the line closed between 1993 and 1999.[citation needed]
  • Higashi-Sanjo station: An 8 km line to Echigo Nagasawa operated between 1927 and 1985.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ 通勤形車両の新造計画について [New commuter train manufacture plans] (PDF) (in Japanese). East Japan Railway Company. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
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