Karasuyama Line


The Karasuyama Line is a railway line in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, owned and operated by East [Japan Railway Company]. It connects in the town of Takanezawa with in Nasukarasuyama.

Services

All services on the line are Local trains, stopping at every station.
Trains run approximately once every hour during morning & evening peak hours and every 2 hours during the interpeak. All trains operate a through service to/from via the Utsunomiya Line - except during evening peak hours when trains terminate/commence at Hōshakuji between 16:00 & 19:30.

Stations

Rolling stock

From the start of the revised timetable on 15 March 2014, a new EV-E301 series two-car battery electric multiple unit was introduced on the Karasuyama Line and Tohoku Main Line between Utsunomiya and Karasuyama. Developed from the experimental "Smart Denchi-kun" battery electric railcar also tested on this line since 2012, the EV-E301 series train is recharged at a special recharging facility built at Karasuyama Station, and operates on battery power over the non-electrified Karasuyama Line tracks.
All of the remaining KiHa 40 series diesel trains used on the line were withdrawn on 3 March 2017, and replaced with EV-E301 series battery electric units from the start of the revised timetable on 4 March 2017.

Former rolling stock

The line opened on 15 April 1923. With the privatization of Japanese National Railways on 1 April 1987, the line came under the control of JR East.
Wanman driver only operation commenced on the line on 10 March 1990, using KiHa 40 series DMUs.