The Kure Line (呉線, Kuresen) is a railway line operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) within Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan. It begins at Mihara Station in Mihara and terminates at Kaitaichi Station in Kaita. It is one of the main lines of JR West. The section between Mihara Station to Hiro Station is branded the "Setouchi Sazanami Line" (Seto Inland Sea Ripple Line) as the sightseeing line. On the section between Mihara Station and Hiro Station, most trains operate from Hiro Station through Mihara Station to Itozaki Station. On the section between Hiro Station and Kaitaichi Station, most trains operate from Hiro Station through Kaitaichi Station to Hiroshima Station or Iwakuni Station.

Kure Line
Setouchi Marine View
The Setouchi Marine View tourist trainset
Overview
Other name(s)Setouchi Sazanami Line (Mihara to Hiro)
Native name呉線
Owner JR West
LocaleHiroshima Prefecture
Termini
Stations28
Service
Operator(s) JR West
History
Opened27 December 1903 (1903-12-27)
Technical
Line length87.0 km (54.1 mi)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC overhead
Operating speed95 km/h (59 mph)

Special trains

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A 115 series train on an Akiji liner Rapid Service
  • Akiji Liner: Runs the section between Hiroshima Station to Kure Station in about 30 minutes.
  • etSETOta: Sightseeing train operated since October 1, 2005. Renamed from Setouchi Marine View in 2019.[1]

Stations

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The Kure Line is entirely within Hiroshima Prefecture.

Line No. Name Japanese Distance (km) Transfers Location
Kure Line  Y31  Mihara 三原 0.0   Sanyō Shinkansen
    Sanyō Main Line
Mihara
 Y30  Sunami 須波 5.1  
 Y29  Akisaizaki 安芸幸崎 11.8  
 Y28  Tadanoumi 忠海 17.2   Takehara
 Y27  Akinagahama 安芸長浜 20.0  
 Y26  Ōnori 大乗 21.8  
 Y25  Takehara 竹原 25.3  
 Y24  Yoshina 吉名 30.0  
 Y23  Akitsu 安芸津 34.7   Higashihiroshima
 Y22  Kazahaya 風早 37.9  
 Y21  Yasuura 安浦 44.2   Kure
 Y20  Ato 安登 48.7  
 Y19  Akikawajiri 安芸川尻 52.8  
 Y18  Nigata 仁方 57.6  
 Y17  Hiro 60.2  
 Y16  Shin-Hiro 新広 61.5  
 Y15  Akiaga 安芸阿賀 62.9  
 Y14  Kure 67.0  
 Y13  Kawaraishi 川原石 68.7  
 Y12  Yoshiura 吉浦 71.0  
 Y11  Karugahama かるが浜 72.2  
 Y10  Tennō 天応 74.3  
 Y09  Kure-Portopia 呉ポートピア 75.6  
 Y08  Koyaura 小屋浦 77.1   Saka,
Aki District
 Y07  Mizushiri 水尻 79.3  
 Y06  Saka 81.8  
 Y05  Yano 矢野 84.4   Aki-ku, Hiroshima
 Y04  Kaitaichi 海田市 87.0   Sanyō Main Line Kaita, Aki District
Sanyō Main Line
 Y03  Mukainada 向洋 89.3 Fuchū, Aki District
 Y02  Tenjingawa 天神川 91.1 Minami-ku, Hiroshima
 Y01  Hiroshima 広島 93.4   San'yō Shinkansen
  Sanyō Main Line
  Geibi Line
Hiroden Main Line;
Route 1, 2, 5, 6;

Rolling stock

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New 2- and 3-car 227 series electric trains are scheduled to be introduced on the Kure Line from around 2015, replacing older 115 series trains.[2]

History

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The Kaitashi - Kure section was opened as a private line in 1903, and leased to the Sanyo Railway Co. the following year, before being nationalised in 1906. Individual section opening dates are given below.

The Mihara - Sunami section opened in 1930, and the two sections were connected in 1935. Work to duplicate the line at Kure commenced in 1940, but was abandoned due to material shortages in 1945.

The entire line was electrified in 1970, and freight services ceased in 1986.

Kure Line

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Sango Line

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Integration

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After integration

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  • Closed Kawaraishi Station on December 1, 1940.
  • Renamed Mitsuuchinoumi Station to Yasuura Station on May 1, 1946.
  • Renamed Akimitsu Station to Akitsu Station on December 20, 1949.
  • Re-opened Kawaraishi Station on August 1, 1958.
  • Closed temporary stations (Karyugahama Station and Akihamasaki Station) on August 1, 1967.
  • Electrified the rail way on September 15, 1970.
  • Stopped cargo services on December 1, 1986.
  • Privatized as JR West on April 1, 1987.
  • Opened Kure-Portopia Station on March 19, 1992.
  • Opened Akinagahama Station on October 1, 1994.
  • Opened Karugahama Station and Mizushiri Station and moved Kawaraishi Station on February 7, 1999.
  • Opened Shinhiro Station on March 23, 2002.

References

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  1. ^ "呉線観光列車「瀬戸内マリンビュー」運行終了記念イベントの実施について". westjr.co.jp. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  2. ^ "JR西日本、広島地区に227系近郊形直流電車を投入" [JR West to introduce 227 series DC suburban trains in Hiroshima area]. The Page (in Japanese). Japan: Wordleaf Corporation. 19 June 2014. Archived from the original on 19 June 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.