Joetsu Shinkansen
Joetsu Shinkansen (上越新幹線) is a high-speed railway line connecting Tokyo and Niigata, Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company. It is one of the most complex lines in the Shinkansen network, as it has to cross the mountainous backbone of Honshu Island. The program was initiated in 1971 by Niigata-born prime minister Tanaka Kakuei. Trial runs over the line began in November of 1980, reaching a record 210 km/h in 1981. Regular service began on November 15, 1982. The line was initially planned to terminate at Shinjuku Station, but economic considerations pushed JNR to merge the line with the existing Tohoku Shinkansen line at Omiya. 200 Series Shinkansen trains were introduced to the line in 1987, reaching 240 km/h the following year. In 1991, a 400 Series Shinkansen train set a speed record of 345 km/h on the Joetsu line: in 1993, an experiemental train managed 425 km/h.
Trains and services200 Series ShinkansenE1 Series ShinkansenE2 Series ShinkansenE4 Series Shinkansen - Tanigawa
- Max Toki
- Max Tanigawa
Stations
There is also a 1.8 km spur from Echigo-Yuzawa to Gala-Yuzawa Station, which is used in the winter months to bring passengers to a nearby ski resort.
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