Akō Line

Akō Line
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213 series EMU on an Akō Line local service at Osafune Station
Overview
Type	Passenger/freight
System	Urban Network (Aioi - Banshū-Akō)
Locale	Hyogo Prefecture and Okayama Prefecture
Termini	Aioi Higashi-Okayama
Stations	19
Operation
Opened	1951
Owner	JR West
Operator(s)	JR West JR Freight
Rolling stock	113 series EMU 115 series EMU 117 series EMU 213 series EMU 221 series EMU 223-1000 series EMU 223-2000 series EMU 223-6000 series EMU 225-0 series EMU
Technical
Line length	57.4 km (35.7 mi)
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	1,500 V DC, overhead line
Operating speed	85 km/h (55 mph)

Akō Line (赤穂線, Akō-sen^?) is a railway line owned by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between Aioi, Hyōgo to Okayama, Okayama in Japan. A loop line off the Sanyō Main Line, the Akō Line commences at Aioi, is situated south of the main line approximately paralleling the Seto Inland Sea, and rejoins the main line at Higashi-Okayama.

The entire 57.4-kilometre (35.7 mi) line is single track. Only one train runs the entire length of the line, with service divided at Banshū-Akō, and no trains terminate at either of the official terminals. Trains from the east continue from Himeji on the Sanyō Main Line and terminate at Akō, while westbound services originating from Akō continue past Higashi-Okayama and continue on the Sanyō Main Line to Okayama and beyond. "Rapid" and "Special Rapid" trains from Kyoto and beyond make local stops between Aioi and Akō, and the segment of the line is part of JR West's Kinki region Urban Network.

The initial section between Aioi and Banshu-Ako opened in 1951, and the line was opened progressively, to Hinase in 1955, Inbe in 1958, and Higashi-Okayama in 1962. The Aioi - Banshu-Ako section was electrified in 1961, and the rest of the line in 1969.

CTC signalling was commissioned between Higashi-Okayama and Banshu-Ako in 1983.

Main line alternate routes