Chūō Line (Rapid)

Chūō Line (Rapid)
A Chūō Line (Rapid) E233 series (right) and A Chūō-Sōbu Line E231 series (June 2007)
Overview
Native name	中央線快速
Locale	Tokyo
Termini	Tokyo Takao
Stations	24
Operation
Opened	1932
Operator(s)	JR East
Depot(s)	Mitaka
Rolling stock	E233-0 series
Technical
Line length	53.1 km (33.0 mi)
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Operating speed	100 km/h (60 mph)

The Chūō Line (Rapid) (中央線快速, Chūō-sen kaisoku^?) is the name given to rapid services on the eastern section of the Chūō Main Line operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) between Tokyo and Takao stations.

Although the Chūō Line (Rapid) designation only refers to the section between Tokyo and Takao stations, many trains continue on past Takao to Ōtsuki. These include both limited express and various special rapid services. For details, see the Chūō Main Line article. In addition, Chūō Line (Rapid) trains do not stop at some stations between Ochanomizu and Nakano stations; for information on those services, see the Chūō-Sōbu Line article.

The Chūō Line (Rapid) uses the two express tracks on the four-track section between Ochanomizu and Mitaka stations. Past Mitaka, trains use both tracks on the remaining double-track section. Since the express tracks do not have platforms at several stations in central Tokyo, even the slowest services of the Chūō Line (Rapid) skip such stations and are therefore called "Rapid" (快速^?). In addition to the basic type of "Rapid", there are some variations of the service types with fewer stops.

The Chūō Liner and Ōme Liner services run on weekday peak periods only. There is one Chūō Liner from Takao for Tokyo in the morning and six in the evenings from Tokyo for Takao and Hachioji and in the past terminating in Ōtsuki. The Ōme Liner has one service during the morning from Ōme and two in the evening from Tokyo. Unlike other rapid services, the Chūō/Ōme Liners require the purchase of a liner ticket in addition to the base fare; all seats are unreserved, but the number of liner tickets sold is limited to the number of seats available. Liner services are provided by E257 series 11-car or 9-car EMUs (introduced in July 2002) and E351 series 12-car EMUs (introduced in March 2008).