Dinostar


The Dinostar was a limited express train service operated by the West Japan Railway Company between and in Japan via the Hokuriku Main Line from 14 March 2015 until 15 March 2024.

Service outline

Three return services operated daily between and, supplementing the existing Thunderbird services truncated with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension from to on 14 March 2015.
The name was a portmanteau derived from the English words "dinosaur" for which Fukui is famous and "star".

Rolling stock

The services used the 681 series and 683 series EMUs used on Thunderbird services.

Formations

Trains were normally formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Kanazawa end. All cars were no-smoking.
Car No.123456
AccommodationGreenReservedReservedReservedNon-reservedNon-reserved

From the start of the revised timetable introduced on 26 March 2016, some services operated as three-car formations with no Green car.

History

The name of the new train services was officially announced by JR West's Kanazawa Division on 7 October 2014.
From the start of the revised timetable that took place on 16 March 2024, all Dinostar services were discontinued with the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga.