Tōkai (train)
Limited express train service between Tokyo and Shizuoka stations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Tōkai (東海) was a limited express service which connected Tokyo Station and Shizuoka Station in Japan. The service was discontinued in March 2007 due to declining passenger numbers.
Service typeLimited express (from 1996)
First service1955 (Semi express)
1996 (Limited express Wide View Tōkai)
1996 (Limited express Wide View Tōkai)
Last service2007
373 series EMU on a Tōkai service, March 2006 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Limited express (from 1996) |
| First service | 1955 (Semi express) 1996 (Limited express Wide View Tōkai) |
| Last service | 2007 |
| Current operators | JR East (Tokyo–Atami) JR Central (Atami–Shizuoka) |
| Route | |
| Line used | Tōkaidō Main Line |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | 373 series (1996–2007) |
Stops
Rolling stock
- 1955–1957: Locomotive-hauled
- 1957–1958: JNR 80 series EMUs
- 1958– March 1982: JNR 153 series EMUs[1]
- 1968–1996: JNR 165 series EMUs
- 16 March 1996 – 17 March 2007: JR Central 373 series EMUs (as Wide View Tōkai)
A 153 series EMU in 1982
165 series EMU on a Tōkai express service in 1986
History
The Tōkai service was first introduced by Japanese National Railways (JNR) on 20 July 1955 as a locomotive-hauled semi express train operating between Tokyo and Nagoya. The train was upgraded to "express" status from 5 March 1966.[2] From 16 March 1996, the service was upgraded to become the limited express Wide View Tōkai using pairs of new 373 series 3-car EMU trainsets, with two return workings daily between Tokyo and Shizuoka.[3]