Suzuran
Train service in Japan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Suzuran (すずらん; "Lily of the valley") is a limited express train service operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) between Muroran and Sapporo in Hokkaido, Japan.[1] The current limited express service was introduced in July 1992, but the name was first used from 1956 for an express service operated by JNR between Hakodate and Sapporo.[2]
July 1992 (Limited express)
785 series EMU on a Suzuran service at Muroran Station, October 2007 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Limited express |
| Status | In operation |
| Locale | Hokkaido |
| First service | 1956 (Express) July 1992 (Limited express) |
| Current operator | JR Hokkaido |
| Former operator | JNR |
| Route | |
| Termini | Sapporo Higashi-Muroran, Muroran |
| Stops | 15 |
| Distance travelled | 136.2 km (84.6 mi) |
| Average journey time | 1 hour 45 minutes approx |
| Service frequency | 6 return workings daily |
| On-board services | |
| Class | Standard class only |
| Disabled access | Yes |
| Sleeping arrangements | None |
| Catering facilities | None |
| Observation facilities | None |
| Entertainment facilities | None |
| Other facilities | Toilets, AC outlets (u-Seats only) |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | 789-1000 series & 785 series EMUs |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | 20 kV AC overhead |
| Operating speed | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
| Track owner | JR Hokkaido |
Stops
Trains stop at the following stations:
Sapporo - Shin-Sapporo - Chitose - Minami-Chitose - Numanohata - Tomakomai - Shiraoi - Noboribetsu - Horobetsu - Washibetsu - Higashi-Muroran - Wanishi - Misaki - Bokoi - Muroran
- Train becomes a Local Train between Higashi-Muroran station and Wanishi station.
- Suzuran No. 2 terminates at Higashi-Muroran.
- Suzuran No. 5 starts from Higashi-Muroran.
Rolling stock
Services are formed of 5-car 785 series and 789-1000 series EMUs. All seats are non-reserved, except for car 4, which has improved "u-Seat" accommodation, including AC outlets for personal use.[1][3]
A 789-1000 series EMU, January 2009
785 series non-reserved seating, May 2008
785 series reserved "u-Seat" car, August 2007
789-1000 series non-reserved seating, May 2008
789-1000 series reserved "u-Seat" car, September 2007
Formations
Trains are formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Muroran end.[3][4]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Reserved (u-Seat) | Non-reserved |
| Facilities | Toilet | Wheelchair space, toilet | Toilet |
From July 1992 until 30 September 2007, Suzuran services were formed of 4-car 781 series EMUs, with one reserved car (car 4), formed as shown below.[5][6]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Reserved |
| Facilities | Toilet | Vending machine | Telephone, toilet |
