Noto (train)

The Noto name was first used from 22 September 1959 for express services operating between Tokyo and Kanazawa via Maibara, introduced to supplement the existing Hokuriku services connecting Tokyo and the Hokuriku region.^[9][7] The "down" working departed from Tokyo Station at 20:30, arriving in Kanazawa at 08:44, and the "up" working departed from Kanazawa Station at 18:00, arriving in Tokyo at 06:25.^[7] Initially, the trains were formed of seven cars (three sleeping cars and four seating cars), but from 1962, trains were increased to 13-car formations.^[7]

Following the opening of the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka in October 1964, ridership of the Noto decreased, and from October 1965, Noto services ran in conjunction with Yamato services.^[7] The services were discontinued from the start of the 1 October 1968 timetable revision.^[10]

The name was resurrected from the start of the timetable revision on 10 March 1975 for use on overnight services between Ueno and Kanazawa via the Joetsu Line, replacing one return Hokuriku working.^[9][7]

From 15 November 1982, following the opening of the Joetsu Shinkansen, Noto services were re-routed via the Shinetsu Main Line, and the ageing rolling stock was replaced with newer 14 series cars.^[7]

From 1987, the "down" service was extended to run to Wakura-Onsen on the Nanao Line during busy seasons, using JNR Class DE10 diesel locomotive haulage, but this was discontinued from March 1990.^[6][7]

From October 1997, following the opening of the Nagano Shinkansen and severing of the Shinetsu Main Line at Karuizawa, the Noto services were re-routed via the Joetsu Line.^[7]

Regular daily Noto services were discontinued on 13 March 2010.^[11][12] The Noto, however, continued to operate as a "seasonal" service during holiday periods.^[13]

• List of named passenger trains of Japan