Asama (train)
An E7 series set on an Asama service in April 2014
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Shinkansen |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Japan |
| First service | 1 March 1961 (Semi-express) 1 October 1997 (Shinkansen) |
| Current operator(s) | JR East |
| Former operator(s) | JNR |
| Route | |
| Start | Tokyo |
| End | Nagano |
| Line used | Hokuriku Shinkansen |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | Standard + Green + Gran Class |
| Catering facilities | Trolley service |
| Technical | |
| E7 series, W7 series | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Electrification | 25 kV AC 50/60 Hz overhead |
| Operating speed | 260 km/h (160 mph) |
The Asama (あさま?) is a high-speed Shinkansen train service operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on the Nagano Shinkansen in Japan. The shinkansen service was introduced in October 1997, but the name was first used for a semi-express service operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) in 1961. "Asama" is the name of an active volcano (Mount Asama) near Karuizawa, on the boundary between Gunma and Nagano Prefecture.
All 16 Asama services stopped at Tokyo, Ueno, Ōmiya, Takasaki, Karuizawa, Sakudaira, Ueda, and Nagano. 11 of them made an additional stop at Kumagaya, Honjo-Waseda, and Annaka-Haruna.
Asama services are operated using 12-car E7 series or W7 series trainsets formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Tokyo end. Car 11 is a "Green" car, and car 12 is a "Gran Class" car with 2+1 seating. Unlike on Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa services, however, a dedicated attendant service is not provided in Gran Class cars on Asama services. All cars are no-smoking.
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Wikipedia