Etsumi-Hoku Line

The Etsumi-Hoku Line (越美北線, Etsumi-hoku-sen) is a railway line operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. The line extends 52.5 km (32.6 mi) from Echizen-Hanandō Station in Fukui to Kuzuryūko Station in Ōno with a total of 22 stations. It is also referred to as the Kuzuryū Line (九頭竜線, Kuzuryū-sen).

Etsumi-Hoku Line
(Kuzuryū Line)
A JR West KiHa 120 series DMU at Ichijōdani Station
Overview
Native name越美北線
StatusIn operation
OwnerJR West
LocaleFukui Prefecture
Termini
Stations22
Service
TypeHeavy rail
Operator(s)JR West
Rolling stockKiHa 120 series DMU
History
Opened1960
Technical
Line length52.5 km (32.6 mi)
Number of tracksEntire line single tracked
CharacterRural
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
ElectrificationNone
Operating speed85 km/h (53 mph)
Route map

The line was originally planned to connect to what is now the Nagaragawa Railway, but the last 24.0 km (14.9 mi) section that would have involved extensive tunneling was never commenced. A bus service provided a connection between the two lines until it ceased in 2002.

Route data

Stations
  • All trains stop at all stations.
  • Between Echizen-Hanandō and Fukui trains run on the Hokuriku Main Line.
  • All stations located in Fukui Prefecture.
Station Japanese Distance (km) Transfers Tracks Location
Between
stations		 From Echizen-Hanandō
Hokuriku Main Line
Fukui 福井駅 - 2.6
∥ Fukui
Etsumi-Hoku Line
Echizen-Hanandō 越前花堂駅 2.6 0.0 ■ Hokuriku Main Line (for Tsuruga) Ｙ Fukui
Rokujō 六条駅 2.3 2.3   ｜
Asuwa 足羽駅 1.4 3.7   ｜
Echizen-Tōgō 越前東郷駅 2.0 5.7   ｜
Ichijōdani 一乗谷駅 2.6 8.3   ｜
Echizen-Takada 越前高田駅 3.1 11.4   ｜
Ichinami 市波駅 1.2 12.6   ｜
Kowashōzu 小和清水駅 2.0 14.6   ｜
Miyama 美山駅 2.9 17.5   ◇
Echizen-Yakushi 越前薬師駅 2.0 19.5   ｜
Echizen-Ōmiya 越前大宮駅 2.7 22.2   ｜
Hakariishi 計石駅 2.2 24.4   ｜
Ushigahara 牛ヶ原駅 3.2 27.6   ｜ Ōno
Kita-Ōno 北大野駅 1.8 29.4   ｜
Echizen-Ōno 越前大野駅 2.0 31.4   ◇
Echizen-Tano 越前田野駅 2.9 34.3   ｜
Echizen-Tomida 越前富田駅 1.4 35.7   ｜
Shimoyuino 下唯野駅 3.1 38.8   ｜
Kakigashima 柿ヶ島駅 1.0 39.8   ｜
Kadohara 勝原駅 2.5 42.3   ｜
Echizen-Shimoyama 越前下山駅 6.5 48.8   ｜
Kuzuryūko 九頭竜湖駅 3.7 52.5   ｜

Legend

  • ◇ - stations with passing loops
  • ∥ - double-tracked section
  • ｜- single-tracked section
  • Y - junction station

History
A KiHa 120 DMU at Fukui Station
  • December 15, 1960: Minami-Fukui — Echizen-Hanandō — Kadohara section (43.1 km) opens. Freight operations begin between Minami-Fukui — Echizen-Ōno.
    • Echizen-Hanandō, Rokujō, Echizen-Tōgō, Ichijōdani, Ichinami, Kowashōzu, Miyama, Echizen-Yakushi, Echizen-Ōmiya, Hakariishi, Ushigahara, Echizen-Ōno, Echizen-Tomida, Shimo-Yuino, Kakigashima, Kadohara stations open.
  • May 20, 1964: Asuwa, Echizen-Takada, Echizen-Tano stations open.
  • October 15, 1965: Freight operations begin between Echizen-Ōno — Kadohara.
  • March 25, 1968: Kita-Ōno Station opens.
  • October 1, 1968: Freight operations end at Kadohara Station.
  • December 15, 1972: Extension from Kadohara to Kuzuryūko (10.2 km) opens, including the 5251m Arashima tunnel.
  • April 1, 1973: Freight operations end between Echizen-Ōno — Echizen-Tomida
  • October 1980: Seasonal rapid train "Okuetsu-gō" begins operation.
  • November 15, 1982: Freight operations end between Minami-Fukui — Echizen-Ōno, ending freight service on the entire line.
  • April 1, 1987: With the breakup and privatization of Japan National Railways, line becomes part of West Japan Railway Company (JR West). Beginning of line moved 800 meters to Echizen-Hanandō Station.
  • June 1, 1990: Driver-only operation begins.
  • September 1, 1992: Regular rapid service begins.
  • September 12, 1995: "Kuzuryū Line" name goes into use.
  • September 1, 1997: Seasonal rapid train "Okuetsu-gō" ceases operation.
  • March 3, 2001: Regular rapid service ends.
  • July 18, 2004: Due to heavy rains, five railway bridges are washed away, forcing operations to stop.
  • July 20, 2004: Service restored between Echizen-Ōno — Kuzuryūko.
  • September 11, 2004: Service restored between Echizen-Hanandō — Ichijōdani, Miyama — Echizen-Ōno.
  • June 30, 2007: Service restored between Ichijōdani — Miyama, allowing full service on the line to resume.

See also

References
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