The Shirasagi (しらさぎ) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by the West Japan Railway Company (JR West) since 1964. It runs between Nagoya and Tsuruga. Shirasagi (白鷺) is the Japanese name for the "egret", a white heron.

Shirasagi
Overview
Service typeLimited express
First service25 December 1964
Current operator(s)JR West
Former operator(s)JNR
Route
TerminiNagoya
StopsTsuruga
Service frequency14 return services daily
Line(s) used
On-board services
Class(es)Green, standard
Technical
Rolling stock681 series EMUs
683 series EMUs
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Operating speed130 km/h (80 mph)

For services continuing to and from Nagoya, a switchback is required at Maibara Station to enable services to continue travel in either direction. Half of all services operate between Maibara and Tsuruga.

Rolling stock

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Services are normally operated using Kanazawa-based 681 series and 683-8000 series EMUs formed as 6-, 6+3-, or 6+3+3-car formations. Services were originally formed of 7-car 485 series, 489 series and 5-, 5+3-,[1] or 5+3+3-car 683 series EMUs.[2]

Formations

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Services are formed as follows:

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Accommodation Green Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Accommodation Green Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved

History

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The Shirasagi service was first introduced on 25 December 1964.[1] Services operated between Nagoya and Toyama.

From the start of the revised timetable on 14 March 2015, with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, all Shirasagi services were shortened for the first time to run between Nagoya and Kanazawa.[3]

From the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2024, all Shirasagi services were shortened for the second time to run between Nagoya and Tsuruga with the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen.[4] With effect from the same date, all non-reserved seating was discontinued on all Shirasagi services.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b 列車名鑑1995 [Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995. p. 126.
  2. ^ JR新幹線&特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. 2008. p. 34. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
  3. ^ 北陸新幹線長野〜金沢駅間開業時の特急・快速列車について (PDF) (Press release). West Japan Railway Company. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  4. ^ "金沢―敦賀間の特急サンダーバード、しらさぎ廃止を発表 JR西日本、敦賀駅で乗り換え必要に". Fukui Shimbun ONLINE (in Japanese). 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  5. ^ "JR西日本,3月16日にダイヤ改正を実施 〜北陸新幹線 金沢—敦賀間が延伸開業〜" [Timetable revisions on JR West effective 16 March 2024]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 15 December 2023. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.