The Asakaze (あさかぜ) was a limited express sleeper train service operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later by West Japan Railway Company (JR West), which ran from Tokyo to Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.[1]
 Asakaze service hauled by an EF66 in 1988 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Blue Train Limited express |
| First service | 1956 |
| Last service | 2005 |
| Current operator(s) | JR West |
| Route | |
| Line(s) used | Tokaido Main Line, Sanyo Main Line |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | 24 + 14 series sleeper coaches |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | 1,500 V DC |
The Asakaze was discontinued from the start of the revised timetable on 1 March 2005.
Rolling stock edit
The train was formed of 14 and 24 series sleeping cars hauled by an EF66 electric locomotive between Tokyo and Shimonoseki.[2]
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Asakaze service at Hakata Station, hauled by EF81-400 locomotive, July 1991 -
Down Asakaze service hauled by EF66 46, February 2003
History edit
The Asakaze service commenced on 19 November 1956, operating between Tokyo and Hakata. In October 1970, Tokyo to Shimonoseki Asakaze services were also introduced, and the Tokyo to Hakata services were discontinued in December 1994.[3]
The remaining Asakaze services were discontinued in 2005, with the final runs occurring on 28 February.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Bye-Bye Blue Train: Japan's Iconic Sleepers Give Way to "Cruise Trains"". nippon.com. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ "こだわりの新幹線＆特急列車ガイド" (In-depth Shinkansen & Limited Express Guide), published 2000 by Ikaros
- ^ "列車名鑑1995" (Train Name Survey 1995), published 1995 by Railway Journal