Keihan Uji Line
The Keihan Uji Line (京阪宇治線 Keihan Uji-sen) is a 7.6-km long commuter rail line in Kyoto, Japan, operated by the Keihan Electric Railway. It connects Chushojima Station on the Keihan Main Line in Fushimi, Kyoto and Uji Station in Uji, Kyoto, forming an alternative route to JR West's Nara Line. Only "Local" (all-stations) trains are operated on this line. The line was constructed to deal with the huge influx of mourners to Uji following the death of Emperor Meiji (see History section).
Route data
- Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
- Distance: 7.6 km (4.7 mi)
- Maximum speed：100 km/h (60 mph)
- Electrification: 1,500 V DC, overhead lines
- Tracks: Double track
- Stations: 9 (incl. start and stop)
Stations and connections
| Station number | Station | Japanese | Distance (km) | Transfers | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KH28 | Chūshojima | 中書島 | 0.0 | Keihan Main Line | Fushimi-ku, Kyoto |
| KH71 | Kangetsukyō | 観月橋 | 0.7 | ||
| KH72 | Momoyama-minamiguchi | 桃山南口 | 2.3 | ||
| KH73 | Rokujizō | 六地蔵 | 3.1 | Tozai Line Nara Line | |
| KH74 | Kowata | 木幡 | 3.9 | Uji | |
| KH75 | Ōbaku | 黄檗 | 5.4 | Nara Line | |
| KH76 | Mimurodo | 三室戸 | 7.2 | ||
| KH77 | Uji | 宇治 | 7.6 |
Rolling stock
New 13000 series 4-car electric multiple unit (EMU) trains were introduced on the line from April 2012, replacing the earlier 2600 series EMUs.[1]
History
Keihan received approval to construct the line in 1910, but only started land acquisition in 1912 after the death of Emperor Meiji. Uji is the site of many significant temples and shrines, and following the Emperor's death, there was a huge increase in visitation to Uji by mourners (One estimate has the total annual visitation to Uji following Emperor Meiji's death as 400 Million). Keihan then rushed construction of the line, which opened on June 1, 1913, dual track and electrified at 600 VDC.
The line was partially constructed in the Yamashima river valley, and as a result was subject to frequent flooding, causing the line to be out of service for periods of between 24 hours and one week in 1917, 1934, 1935 (twice) 1949, 1953, 1959, 1961 and 1965. The raising of the bridges over the Yamashimagawa and the construction of the Awagase Dam in 1966 finally resolved that issue.
The voltage on the line was raised to 1500 VDC in 1983.
References
This article incorporates material from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia
- ↑ 新型車両１３０００系２０両を新造します。 [20 New 13000 Series Cars to be Built] (PDF). News Release (in Japanese). Japan: Keihan Electric Railway. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.