Joshin Dentetsu Joshin Line | |
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A Joshin Electric Railway 1000 series EMU
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Overview | |
Locale | Gunma Prefecture |
Termini |
Takasaki Shimonita |
Stations | 20 |
Operation | |
Opened | 1897 |
Owner | Joshin Electric Railway |
Technical | |
Line length | 33.7 km (20.9 mi) |
Number of tracks | Single |
Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
Minimum radius | 160 m |
Electrification | 1,500 V DC, overhead catenary |
Operating speed | 85 km/h (55 mph) |
The Joshin Line (上信線 Jōshin-sen?) is a Japanese railway line in Gunma Prefecture, between Takasaki Station in Takasaki and Shimonita Station in Shimonita, operated by the private railway operator Joshin Electric Railway (上信電鉄 Joshin Dentetsu?). This is the only line operated by the company, although it also operates a few bus lines. The first section of the line opened in 1897.
The 1000 and 6000 series EMUs purchased new are unusual in having the driver's seat on the right-hand side facing the direction of travel.
A 150 series EMU, November 2009
A 500 series EMU, November 2009
A 1000 series EMU, November 2009
A 6000 series EMU, October 1989
A 7000 series EMU, December 2013
Electric locomotives DeKi 1 and 3, October 2007
Electric locomotive ED31 6, November 2009
The line opened on 10 May 1897, as a 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) gauge steam-hauled railway line from Takasaki to Fukushima (present-day Jōshū-Fukushima), operated by the Kōzuke Railway (上野鉄道 Kōzuke Tetsudō?). The entire line to Shimonita was opened on 25 September in the same year. The line was planned to be extended southward from Shimonita to connect with the Saku Railway (present-day Koumi Line) at Haguroshita, and the owning company was accordingly renamed Joshin Electric Railway (上信電鉄 Jōshin Denki Tetsudō?) from 25 August 1921. The line was ultimately never extended, but the track was regauged to 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) and electrified with an overhead wire at 1,500 V DC.