Its name refers to the ancient provinces of Mutsu (陸奥) and Dewa (出羽) (or alternatively, the Meiji period provinces of Rikuzen (陸前) and Uzen (羽前)), which the line connects.
History
The Kogota - Naruko-Onsen section was opened in stages between 1913 and 1915, with the Shinjo - Naruko-Onsen section opened in stages between 1915 and 1917.
CTC signalling was commissioned in 1983, and freight services ceased in 1987.
The line celebrated its 100th anniversary on November 3, 2017, with a special train hauled by JNR Class DE10 locomotives.[2]
Former connecting lines
Nishi-Furukawa station - A 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge line ultimately extending 44 km (27 mi) to Tori-Machi, and connecting to the Senzan Line at Toshogu station, was opened by the Sendai City Council between 1922 and 1929. It closed in sections between 1937 and 1960.
^""陸羽東線全線開通100年号"運転" ["Rikuu East Line whole line opening 100 years" operation]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. November 3, 2017. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
^ abMiki, Kazuya (November 4, 2017). "陸羽東線にディーゼル列車、１００周年祝う 宮城・山形" [A diesel train on the Rikuu East Line celebrates 100 years Miyagi and Yamagata]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
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