Yahiko Line


The Yahiko Line is a Japanese railway line operated by East Japan Railway Company which connects Yahiko Station in the village of Yahiko and Higashi-Sanjō Station in the city of Sanjo, both in Niigata Prefecture. The line shares its name with both Yahiko Village and nearby Mt. Yahiko.

Services

All trains on the line operate as local services stopping at all stations. Most services run between Yahiko and Yoshida, and Yoshida and Higashi-Sanjō. A few services run the full length of the line from Yahiko to Higashi-Sanjō, and one service in the mornings in both directions runs through to the Echigo Line toward. There is an hourly service in the mornings and evenings, and service every 2–3 hours during the mid-day.

Stations

Symbols:
  • | - Single-track
  • ◇ - Single-track; station where trains can pass

    Rolling stock

  • E129 series 2/4-car EMUs
New E129 series EMUs were introduced on local services on the line from fiscal 2014.

Former

The Echigo Railway opened the Yahiko to Yoshida section in 1916 and extended the line to Higashi-Sanjo in 1926. The company was nationalised in 1927.
Freight services ceased in 1960, and the line was electrified in 1984.

Former connecting lines

  • Tsubame Station: The Niigata Kotsu opened a 34 km line electrified at 1,500 V DC to Sekiya on the Echigo Line in 1933. Freight services ceased in 1982, and the line closed between 1993 and 1999.
  • Higashi-Sanjo station: An 8 km line to Echigo Nagasawa operated between 1927 and 1985.