The Kamikōchi Line (上高地線, Kamikōchi-sen) is a railway line operated by the Japanese private railway operator Alpico Kōtsū in the western suburbs of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. The line connects Matsumoto with Shinshimashima, the transportation gateway to Kamikōchi and the Hida Mountains.[1]

Kamikōchi Line
A 3000 series train on the Kamikōchi Line in February 2008
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerAlpico Kōtsū
LocaleMatsumoto, Nagano
Termini
Service
TypeCommuter rail and transport service to Kamikōchi shuttle bus terminal at Shinshimashima
History
Opened2 October 1921
Technical
Line length14.4 km (8.9 mi)
Number of tracks1
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC, overhead catenary
Route map

0.0
Matsumoto
0.4
Nishi-Matsumoto
Ta River
1.1
Nagisa
Narai River
1.9
Shinano-Arai
2.6
Ōniwa
4.4
Shimonii
5.4
Kitanii-Matsumotodaigakumae
6.2
Niimura
7.6
Samizo
8.6
Moriguchi
9.5
Shimojima
11.1
Hata
12.7
Endō
14.4
Shinshimashima
15.7
Shimashima
(closed December 1984)

Stations

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All stations on the line are located in the city of Matsumoto, Nagano.

Station No. Name Japanese Distance (km) Transfers
AK-01 Matsumoto 松本 0.0 Shinonoi Line
Oito Line
AK-02 Nishi-Matsumoto 西松本 0.4  
AK-03 Nagisa 1.1
AK-04 Shinano-Arai 信濃荒井 1.9
AK-05 Ōniwa 大庭 2.6
AK-06 Shimonii 下新 4.4
AK-07 Kitanii-Matsumotodaigakumae 北新・松本大学前 5.4
AK-08 Niimura 新村 6.2
AK-09 Samizo 三溝 7.6
AK-10 Moriguchi 森口 8.6
AK-11 Shimojima 下島 9.5
AK-12 Hata 波田 11.1
AK-13 Endō 渕東 12.7
AK-14 Shinshimashima 新島々 14.4

Rolling stock

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As of 1 April 2017, services on the line are operated using a fleet of four two-car 3000 series stainless steel electric multiple unit (EMU) trains, which were formerly Keio 3000 series EMUs.[2]

Former Tobu 20100 series EMUs of Tobu Railway, are scheduled to replace the 3000 series trains starting in April 2022.[3][4]

With the raising of the overhead power supply voltage to 1,500 V DC in December 1986, the line's fleet was replaced by four two-car former Tokyu 5000 series EMUs.[5] As these trains did not have air-conditioning, they were replaced between 1999 and 2000 by four two-car former Keio 3000 series EMUs.[5]

History

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The line opened on 2 October 1921 as the Chikuma Railway (筑摩鉄道) from Matsumoto to Niimura, electrified at 600 V DC.[5] The line was extended to Shimashima Station [ja] (now closed), opening on 26 September 1922.[5]

On 27 December 1932, the Chikuma Railway was renamed the Matsumoto Electric Railway (松本電気鉄道).[5]

The overhead line power supply voltage was increased from 600 V DC to 750 V DC in 1957, and further raised to 1,500 V DC in December 1986.[5]

Freight services were discontinued from 1 December 1973.[5]

In September 1983, landslides caused by Typhoon Forrest resulted in suspension of services on the line beyond Shinshimashima to Shimashima.[5] This section was formally closed on 31 December 1984.[5]

On 1 April 2011, following a merger with local bus operators, the operating company was renamed Alpico Kōtsū.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kamikochi Access Routes - Train". Kamikochi Official Website. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  2. ^ 私鉄車両編成表 2017 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2017] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 25 July 2017. p. 91. ISBN 978-4-330-81317-2.
  3. ^ "上高地線 20年ぶり新車両 都内の地下鉄走った「20000系」 来春から運行" [New rolling stock to be introduced to the Kamikochi line after 20 years - 20000 series from the Tobu Railway to commence operations starting from spring.]. shinmai.co.jp (in Japanese). The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun. 22 June 2021. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  4. ^ About series 20100
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Terada, Hirokazu (19 January 2013). データブック日本の私鉄 [Databook: Japan's Private Railways] (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. pp. 85, 240. ISBN 978-4-7770-1336-4.