The Okhotsk (オホーツク, Ohōtsuku) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), which runs between Sapporo and Abashiri.[1] There are two services per day running in both directions, with the journey time taking approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. Trains operate at a maximum speed of 110 km/h (68 mph).[1] It is named after the Sea of Okhotsk.[2]
Okhotsk services were previously formed of 4-car KiHa 183 series diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains as shown below, with car 1 at the Sapporo and Abashiri end (train reverses at Engaru Station).[1][4] These trains were replaced by KiHa 283 series DMUs from 18 March 2023.[5][3]
KiHa 183 series 4-car DMU in blue-and-white livery, September 2021
History
The Okhotsk service was first introduced by Japanese National Railways from the start of the revised timetable on 22 September 1959, as a semi-express service operating between Asahikawa and Abashiri, using KiHa 22 2-car DMUs, with five return workings daily.[2][7] From July 1960, services were extended to Sapporo, and ran coupled with Sōya semi express services over the Hakodate Main Line.[2]
From the start of the revised timetable in October 1961, services were upgraded to "Express" status, and were operated using KiHa 56 4-car DMU formations, including a KiRo 26 Green (first class) car.[2]
From the start of the revised timetable on 2 October 1972, services were upgraded to "Limited express" status, and were operated using KiHa 80 series DMU formations.[2]
From the start of the revised timetable in November 1986, the KiHa 80 series rolling stock was replaced with KiHa 183 series 6-car DMUs.[2]
Sleeper service
14 series sleeping car in an Okhotsk formation at Sapporo station, March 2008
From 1992, the former Taisetsu (大雪) express overnight sleeper service was integrated with the Okhotsk (becoming Okhotsk 9 & 10), featuring a SuHaNeFu 14-500 series sleeping car sandwiched in the DMU formation.[8] From March 2006, this became a seasonal-only train (Okhotsk 81 & 82), and the overnight service was discontinued entirely from 16 March 2008.[9]
SL Okhotsk
JR Hokkaido operates seasonal SL Okhotsk services formed of 14 series passenger coaches hauled by a JNR Class C11 steam locomotive and assisted by a JNR Class DE15 diesel locomotive.[10]
^ abcdefTeramoto, Mitsuteru (July 2001). 国鉄・ＪＲ列車名大辞典 [JNR & JR Train Name Encyclopedia]. Tokyo, Japan: Chuoshoin Publishing Co., Ltd. pp. 152–154. ISBN4-88732-093-0.
^ ab特急“オホーツク”・“大雪”，キハ283系による運転に [Limited express "Okhotsk" and "Taisetsu" operated by KiHa 283 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
^特急オホーツク（183系） 列車ガイド [Okhotsk (183 series) Train guide] (in Japanese). Japan: Hokkaido Railway Company. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
^"キハ283系が石北本線で試運転" [KiHa 283 series on test on Sekihoku Main Line]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 25 July 2022. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
