The term Yamagata Shinkansen refers to the segment that connects Fukushima and Shinjō. Because the shinkansen trains share tracks with local trains running on conventional lines (在来線, zairaisen), it is often referred to as a "mini-shinkansen".
Operations
An aerial view showing the Yamagata Shinkansen diverging to the left from the Tohoku Shinkansen north of Fukushima Station
Trains consist of 7-car E3 and E8 series trainsets operating as Tsubasa services. Between Tokyo and Fukushima, some trains run coupled to Yamabiko trains on the Tōhoku Shinkansen. Between Fukushima and Shinjō, the trains run on their own at a maximum speed of 130 km/h (80 mph) and share the line with regular Ōu Main Line trains.[1]
As of July 2012, about 62 million passengers had ridden the line since it opened in July 1992.[2] The fastest trains connect Tokyo and Yamagata stations in two hours and 29 minutes.[2]
Construction of a new approach line at Fukushima Station
In April 2021, JR East started construction of a new approach line at Fukushima station. Currently, the Yamagata Shinkansen can only enter and exit the Tohoku Shinkansen through platform 14 at Fukushima Station. This current layout requires the Yamagata Shinkansen to cross the north bound tracks to reach the Tokyo bound tracks. This new approach line will pass under the Tohoku Shinkansen, which will allow Yamagata Shinkansen to enter the Tohoku Shinkansen on platform 11 removing the crossing and reducing the gravitude of transport disruption. Construction is expected to finish by the end of fiscal year 2026.[3]
Proposed Ou base tunnel
Construction of a base tunnel on the Yamagata Shinkansen is proposed, with JR East having undertaken a survey of a planned route from Niwasaka to Sekine, just south of Yonezawa station.[4] 23.1 km (14.4 mi) of the proposed 24.9 km (15.5 mi) line would be in tunnel, mostly to the north of the existing 88 km (55 mi) Fukushima – Yamagata section. To be built on an improved alignment, the tunnel would lower journey times between Fukushima and Yamagata by ~10 min due to a proposed line speed of up to 200 km/h (124 mph).[5]
The tunnel would avoid the Itaya Toge pass through the Ou mountains west of Fukushima. Gradients range from 3.0% to 3.8% and the line reaches an altitude of 548 m (1,798 ft). The curvature and steep grades limit train speeds to 55 km/h (34 mph) or less, and the line is vulnerable to heavy rain and snowfall as well as high winds.[4] Between 2011 and 2017 a total of 410 Yamagata mini-Shinkansen services were either suspended or delayed, and 40% of these incidents occurred on the line over the Itaya Toge pass.[4]
If the ¥150 billion base tunnel is authorised, detailed design would take five years and construction another 15 years.[6] The cost could increase by ¥12 billion if the tunnel were to be built with a cross-section large enough to permit the line to be upgraded to the full Shinkansen Loading gauge.[4]
9 June 2022: The line celebrates 30 years of operation. An E3 series trainset will be wrapped in a commemorative livery and will stay in service until November 2022.[11]
16 March 2024: Start of service by the E8 Series[7]
References
^"300km/hのトップランナー" [300 km/h Top Runners]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 52, no. 612. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. April 2012. p. 14.
^ ab"山形新幹線 25年ぶりの新型車両「E8系」営業運転開始" ["E8 series", begins revenue service, the first new vehicle on the Yamagata Shinkansen in 25 years]. NHK. 16 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
^"E3系L53編成が新潟へ" [E3 series set L53 forwarded to Niigata]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
^NHK, "Yamagata Shinkansen fully resumes operations", 12 April 2011.
^"山形新幹線開業30周年を記念したラッピング車両を運転" [Driving a wrapping vehicle commemorating the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Yamagata Shinkansen]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 7 June 2022. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
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