Komachi (train)
An E6 series train on a Komachi service in October 2016
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Shinkansen |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Tohoku Shinkansen, Akita Shinkansen |
| First service | 22 March 1997 |
| Current operator(s) | JR East |
| Route | |
| Start | Tokyo |
| End | Akita |
| Distance travelled | 670.2 km (416.4 mi) |
| Service frequency | Hourly |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | Standard + Green |
| Catering facilities | Trolley service |
| Technical | |
| E6 series | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Electrification | 25/20 kV AC overhead |
| Operating speed |
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The Komachi (こまち?) is a high-speed shinkansen service between Tokyo and Akita in Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) since March 1997. It is the only shinkansen service that runs on the Akita Shinkansen, and uses E6 series trains. Between Tokyo Station and Morioka, it couples with Tohoku Shinkansen E5 series Hayabusa trainsets. After Morioka, the Komachi service continues along standard gauge tracks that were converted from narrow gauge. Because it then runs on tracks that have grade crossings, its maximum speed from Morioka to Akita is 130 km/h (80 mph), compared to 320 km/h (200 mph) on the Tohoku Shinkansen.
The Komachi service was named after a famous poet from the area, Ono no Komachi, whose name (小町) is also synonymous with "belle" or "beauty" in Japanese.
Komachi services stop at the following stations on the Akita Shinkansen between Morioka and Akita. For details of station stops between Tokyo and Morioka, see the Hayabusa articles.
(*) Not served by all trains.
Since 15 March 2014, all Komachi services have operated by seven-car E6 series trainsets with running at a maximum speed of 320 km/h (200 mph) on the Tohoku Shinkansen coupled to E5 series Hayabusa trainsets. Car 11, the "Green" (first class) car, is at the Tokyo end. All seats are reserved and no-smoking.
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