Overview | |
---|---|
Service type | Limited express |
Locale | Chiba Prefecture |
First service | 15 July 1972 |
Current operator(s) | JR East |
Former operator(s) | JNR |
Route | |
Termini |
Tokyo Awa-Kamogawa |
Distance travelled | 132.5 km (82.3 mi) |
Service frequency | 12 return trips daily |
Line(s) used | Keiyo Line, Sotobo Line |
On-board services | |
Catering facilities | Trolley service |
Technical | |
Rolling stock | 255 series, E257-500 series EMUs |
Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
Electrification | 1,500 V DC overhead |
Operating speed | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
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.
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] From March 2018, all trains pass through Ubara and Awa-Amatsu stations. [3]
Tokyo -
Shin-Kiba※-
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, operating mainly at weekends only, stop at the following stations between Shinjuku and Soga. [1]
Shinjuku - Akihabara - Kinshichō - Funabashi - Tsudanuma - Chiba - Soga ... Awa-Kamogawa
Wakashio services are operated using Makuhari-based 9-car 255 series EMU and 5- or 10-car E257-500 series EMU formations. The E257-500 series formations have no Green (first class) cars. [2]
Trains are formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Tokyo end. [1] [5] [6]
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 |
Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Numbering | KuHa E256-500 | MoHa E257-1500 | MoHa E256-500 | MoHa E257-500 | KuHa E257-500 |
Accommodation | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved |
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 |
Trains were originally formed of 9-car 183 series EMUs with formed as shown below, including one Green car, as shown below. [7]
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 |
The Wakashio service commenced on 15 July 1972, using 183 series EMUs. [8] Evening Hometown Wakashio services for commuters were introduced from 16 March 1991, operating from Tokyo to Kazusa-Ichinomiya. [9] New 255 series EMUs were introduced from 2 July 1993, initially branded as View Wakashio. [9] Morning Oyaho Wakashio services for commuters were introduced from 3 December 1994, operating from Kazusa-Ichinomiya to Tokyo. [9] 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. [5]
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. [10] From the start of the 15 March 2014 timetable revision, the number of services was reduced from 15 to 13 return workings daily. [10]
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. [4]