Relay Tsubame
A 800 series shinkansen train on a Tsubame service in April 2011
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Shinkansen |
| Locale | Kyushu Shinkansen |
| First service | 1 October 1930 (Limited express) 13 March 2004 (Shinkansen) |
| Current operator(s) | JR Kyushu |
| Former operator(s) | JNR |
| Route | |
| Start | Hakata |
| End | Kagoshima-Chūō |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | Ordinary class + Green class |
| Catering facilities | Trolley refreshment service |
| Technical | |
| 800 series/N700-7000 series/N700-8000 series | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Electrification | 25 kV AC, 60 Hz |
| Operating speed | 260 km/h (160 mph) |
The Tsubame (つばめ?) is a train service operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) on the Kyushu Shinkansen in Japan since 2004.
The word tsubame (燕?) in Japanese means "swallow", and has been used on a succession of limited express trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Main Line in Japan since 1930.
The Tsubame name (originally written as "燕") was first used from 1 October 1930 for limited express services operating between Tokyo and Kobe, hauled by JNR Class C51 and JNR Class C53 steam locomotives. These services operated until 30 September 1943.
The name was revived (this time written as "つばめ") from 1 January 1950 for limited express services operating between Tokyo and Osaka, hauled by JNR Class C62 steam and JNR Class EF58 electric locomotives, and later by 151 series electric multiple unit (EMU) trains. From 1 October 1964, following the opening of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, the name was reassigned to limited express trains operating between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. From 1 October 1965, services were extended to operate between Nagoya and Hakata, operated by 481 and 583 series EMUs. These services continued until 9 March 1975.
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