Wakashio
Japanese limited express train service
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Wakashio (わかしお) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It runs from Tokyo to Kazusa-Ichinomiya and Awa-Kamogawa on the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture.
An E257-500 series unit on a Keiyo Line Wakashio service | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Limited express |
| Locale | Chiba Prefecture |
| First service | 15 July 1972 |
| Current operator | JR East |
| Former operator | JNR |
| Route | |
| Termini | Tokyo Awa-Kamogawa |
| Distance travelled | 132.5 km (82.3 mi) |
| Service frequency | 12 return trips daily |
| Lines used | Keiyo Line, Sotobo Line, Chūō Line, Sōbu Line |
| On-board services | |
| Catering facilities | Trolley service |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | E257-500 series EMU |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | 1,500 V DC overhead |
| Operating speed | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
Station stops
Wakashio services operate over the Keiyo Line and Sotobo Line, stopping at the following stations.[1] Some services terminate at Kazusa-Ichinomiya, and some services operate as "Local" all-stations services between Katsuura and Awa-Kamogawa.[2] As of March 2018[update], all trains pass through Ubara and Awa-Amatsu stations.[3]
Tokyo -
Kaihimmakuhari※ - Soga - Toke※ - Ōami - Mobara - Kazusa-Ichinomiya - Ōhara - Onjuku - Katsuura - Kazusa-Okitsu※ - Awa-Kominato - Awa-Kamogawa
※:Some trains pass through these stations.
Shinjuku Wakashio services, which operate to/from Shinjuku instead of Tokyo, those services operate over the Chūō Line and Sōbu Line on weekends "when there is heavy use".[4] As of March 2024[update], trains no longer stop at Akihabara or Tsudanuma.[5] Trains now stop at the following stations:[4]
Shinjuku - Kinshichō - Funabashi - Chiba - Soga ... Awa-Kamogawa
From April 2016 until March 2024, Shinjuku Wakashio services, operating mainly on weekends, stopped at the following stations between Shinjuku and Soga.[1]
Shinjuku - Akihabara - Kinshichō - Funabashi - Tsudanuma - Chiba - Soga ... Awa-Kamogawa
Rolling stock
- E257-500 series 5-car EMUs (since 16 October 2004)
Wakashio services are operated using Makuhari-based 5-car E257-500 series EMU formations. The E257-500 series formations have no Green (business class) cars.[2]
Past
- 183 series 9-car EMUs (15 July 1972 – October 2004)
- 255 series 9-car EMUs (2 July 1993 – 15 March 2024[6])
A 183 series EMU in May 2002
Formations
Past formations
Trains were originally formed of 9-car 183 series and 255 series EMUs and 10-car E257-500 series EMU with formed as shown below, including one Green car, as shown below.[9]
9-car 183 series
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Green | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved |
- All cars except the Green car were non-reserved for Ohayo Wakashio and Hometown Wakashio services.[9]
9-car 255 series
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numbering | KuHa 254 | MoHa 254 | MoHa 255 | SaRo 255 | SaHa 254 | SaHa 255 | MoHa 254 | MoHa 255 | KuHa 255 |
| Accommodation | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Green | Reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved |
5+5-car E257 series
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numbering | KuHa E256-500 | MoHa E257-1500 | MoHa E256-500 | MoHa E257-500 | KuHa E257-500 | KuHa E256-500 | MoHa E257-1500 | MoHa E256-500 | MoHa E257-500 | KuHa E257-500 |
| Accommodation | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved |
History
The Wakashio service commenced on 15 July 1972, using 183 series EMUs.[10] Evening Hometown Wakashio services for commuters were introduced from 16 March 1991, operating from Tokyo to Kazusa-Ichinomiya.[11] New 255 series EMUs were introduced from 2 July 1993, initially branded as View Wakashio.[11] Morning Oyaho Wakashio services for commuters were introduced from 3 December 1994, operating from Kazusa-Ichinomiya to Tokyo.[11] New E257-500 series EMUs were introduced from 16 October 2004, displacing the remaining 183 series trainsets.[2] From the start of the revised timetable on 10 December 2005, Wakashio services were made entirely no-smoking.[7]
The opening of the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line road across the Tokyo Bay in 1997 saw increased competition from long-distance bus services offering cheaper fares, resulting in decreasing ridership figures on the Wakashio services.[12] From the start of the 15 March 2014 timetable revision, the number of services was reduced from 15 to 13 return workings daily.[12]
With the timetable revision on 16 March 2024, the number of Wakashio services is scheduled to reduce again and all remaining regular services will only operate as 5-car formations using E257 series trains. As a result, 9- and 10-car trainsets will cease to run on these services. In addition, services to/from Shinjuku will only operate on selected Saturdays and holidays.[6]
