Super Hakuchō
A 485-3000 series EMU on a Hakuchō service at Aomori Station in January 2003
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Limited express |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Locale | Japan |
| First service | 1960 (Semi express) 1961 (Limited express) |
| Last service | March 2016 |
| Former operator(s) | JNR, JR East, JR Hokkaido |
| Route | |
| Start | Shin-Aomori |
| End | Hakodate |
| Distance travelled | 164.3 km (102.1 mi) |
| Line used | Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | Green + standard |
| Seating arrangements | 2+2 |
| Catering facilities | Trolley service |
| Technical | |
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485-3000 series (Hakuchō) 789 series/785 series (Super Hakuchō) EMUs |
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| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | 20 kV AC, 50 Hz |
| Operating speed | 140 km/h (85 mph) |
The Hakuchō (白鳥 Hakuchō) and Super Hakuchō (スーパー白鳥) were Japanese limited express train services which operated between Shin-Aomori and Hakodate via the undersea Seikan Tunnel from December 2002 until March 2016. The services were operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) respectively.
The Hakuchō services operated between Shin-Aomori and Hakodate using refurbished JR East 485-3000 series six-car EMUs, extended to eight cars during busy seasons. Services operated at a maximum speed of 140 km/h (85 mph) on the ATC-controlled section of the Seikan Tunnel, with the fastest services between Shin-Aomori and Hakodate taking 2 hours 8 minutes.
The Hakuchō name actually dated back to 1960, as the name of a service which ran from Osaka to Aomori until March 2001. The name was reused for the new services starting in 2002 by popular demand.
The Super Hakuchō services operated between Shin-Aomori and Hakodate using JR Hokkaido 789 series six- and eight-car EMUs and a converted 785-300 series 2-car EMU set. As with the Hakuchō services, these trains operated at a maximum speed of 140 km/h (85 mph) on the ATC-controlled section of the Seikan Tunnel, with the fastest services between Shin-Aomori and Hakodate taking 2 hours 1 minute.
A JR Hokkaido 789 series EMU on a Super Hakuchō service in August 2010
A converted 785-300 series EMU on a Super Hakuchō service in August 2011
The Hakuchō service was first introduced from 28 December 1960, as a semi express service operating between Akita and Same via Aomori.
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