SÅbu Main Line
SÅbu Main Line | |
---|---|
SÅbu/Yokosuka Line E217 series EMU | |
Technical | |
Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
Electrification | 1,500 V DC |
Route map | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Legend
|

The SÅbu Main Line (ç·æ¦æœ¬ç·š SÅbu-honsen) is a Japanese railway line operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan. It connects Tokyo with the east coast of Chiba Prefecture, passing through the cities of Funabashi, Chiba, and ChÅshi. Its name derives from the old provinces of the area which it serves: Musashi (æ¦è”µå›½), ShimÅsa (下ç·å›½) and Kazusa (上ç·å›½). Its official line color is yellow.
Definition
The character of the line changes at Chiba. The western, urbanized section is informally, but commonly, called the SÅbu Line (ç·æ¦ç·š SÅbu sen) without using "Main". The "Main Line", in popular usage, refers to the trains operated east of Chiba on the line.
Signs at stations and in trains, and vocal announcements in trains, both maintain this distinction: with Main for the eastern rural section; without Main for the western frequent travel zone.[1]
Description
- Distances:
- Tokyo - ChÅshi: 120.5 km
- KinshichÅ - Ochanomizu: 4.3 km
- Shin-Koiwa - Etchūjima Freight (Etchūjima freight line): 11.7 km
- Shin-Koiwa - Kanamachi (Shinkane freight line): 8.9 km
- Electrification: DC 1500 V excluding the non electrified Etchūjima freight line
- Tracks
- Quadruple: KinshichÅ - Chiba
- Double: Tokyo - KinshichÅ, KinshichÅ - Ochanomizu, Chiba - Sakura
- Single: Sakura - ChÅshi, Shin-Koiwa - EtchÅ«jima Freight, Shin-Koiwa - Kanamachi
Operation
Local trains run between Ochanomizu and Chiba Station and are called the ChÅ«Å-SÅbu Line (ä¸å¤®ãƒ»ç·æ¦ç·š) or SÅbu-Local Line (ç·æ¦ç·©è¡Œç·š SÅbu-KankÅ). Rapid trains are also operated from Tokyo Station to Chiba Station and use different tracks from the local service trains. The rapid trains are called SÅbu Kaisoku Line (ç·æ¦å¿«é€Ÿç·š SÅbu Kaisoku sen (SÅbu Rapid Line)). For the most part, these trains use the same track, except when they reach Tokyo: SÅbu-KankÅ trains continue onto the ChūŠLine, while SÅbu-Kaisoku trains continue onto the Yokosuka Line.
The following sections describe trains east of Chiba. For details west of Chiba, see the relevant articles.
Limited express
The Narita Express to Narita Airport Station and the Ayame to ChÅshi use the SÅbu Main and Narita Lines for their journey.
Shiosai, also a Limited Express service, from Tokyo Station to ChÅshi also uses this line.
Stations
Tokyo - KinshichÅ - Chiba
See SÅbu Line (Rapid) for rapid trains.
Ochanomizu - KinshichÅ - Chiba
See ChÅ«Å-SÅbu Line for local trains.
Chiba - ChÅshi
For distances, connections and stops of rapid trains, see the route diagram.
Station | Location | |
---|---|---|
Chiba | åƒè‘‰ | ChÅ«Å-ku, Chiba |
Higashi-Chiba | æ±åƒè‘‰ | |
Tsuga | 都賀 | Wakaba-ku, Chiba, Chiba |
YotsukaidÅ | å››è¡—é“ | YotsukaidÅ, Chiba |
Monoi | 物井 | |
Sakura | ä½å€‰ | Sakura, Chiba |
Minami-Shisui | å—酒々井 | Shisui, Chiba |
Enokido | 榎戸 | Yachimata, Chiba |
Yachimata | å…«è¡— | |
HyÅ«ga | æ—¥å‘ | Sanmu, Chiba |
NarutÅ | æˆæ± | |
Matsuo | æ¾å°¾ | |
Yokoshiba | æ¨ªèŠ | Yokoshiba, Chiba |
Iigura | 飯倉 | SÅsa, Chiba |
YÅkaichiba | å…«æ—¥å¸‚å ´ | |
Higata | 干潟 | Asahi, Chiba |
Asahi | æ— | |
Iioka | 飯岡 | |
Kurahashi | 倉橋 | |
Saruda | 猿田 | ChÅshi, Chiba |
Matsugishi | æ¾å²¸ | |
ChÅshi | 銚å |
Rolling stock
- 209 series EMUs
- 211-3000 series EMUs (local services since 21 October 2006)[2]
- E217 series EMUs
Past rolling stock
- 113 series EMUs
History
Private construction
Initially, the line was constructed by a private company, SÅbu Railway (ç·æ¦é‰„é“ SÅbu TetsudÅ). It opened the first service sections, between Ichikawa and Sakura on July 20, 1894, and extended to Tokyo City. In December of the same year, Honjo (本所, present KinshichÅ) was opened, and in 1904, on the east bank of Sumida River, RyÅgokubashi (両国橋) (now RyÅgoku) became a terminal of this line. The access routes to the west, to Tokyo City, were tramways for passengers and ships for freight. From Sahara to the east, this line reached another terminus, ChÅshi in 1897.
Nationalisation
The line was nationalized in 1907 under the Railway Nationalization Act, and was double-tracked from RyÅgokubashi to Chiba the next year. The predecessor of the Japanese National Railways (JNR) planned to connect with other lines inside Tokyo. In 1932, a new passenger line was opened from Ochanomizu to RyÅgoku (with new platform besides the original terminal facility), and a frequent service of EMUs commenced. Electrification to Chiba was completed in 1935, and local trains have run through from the ChūŠline since then. But, except for a few trains, no rapid service was operated on this line, and the passengers had to use the local train, or its rival, Keisei Electric Railway.
Bombing of Tokyo
On March 10, 1945, the Bombing of Tokyo caused casualties estimated at 70,000–100,000, and destroyed stations of the line. During the last days of World War II in 1945, the Imperial Japanese Army thought the US Army would attempt a landing operation, "Operation Coronet", on KujÅ«kuri Beach, and transferred troops on the SÅbu Main Line.
Steam trains
Between Chiba and ChÅshi, in the rural area of Chiba Prefecture, steam traction was used until recently. Fish and soy sauce from ChÅshi were major freight items. Because Tokyo was close, JNR did not provide rapid or express trains from RyÅgoku to ChÅshi until 1958. JNR operated tourist trains from RyÅgoku to the seaside resorts on the coast from the 1950s.
Five-destination operation
In the 1960s, JNR started the Five-Destination Operation (五方é¢ä½œæˆ¦ Go HÅmen Sakusen) to steeply increase commuter demand, and it determined that a new rapid line would be constructed from Tokyo Station to Chiba. A new underground line from Tokyo to KinshichÅ, and a four-tracked section to Tsudanuma were opened in 1972, and the operator began frequent rapid services from Tokyo to Chiba. The line was managed by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) from 1987. The parallel KeiyÅ Line was opened closer to the coast in 1990. It was first constructed for freight services but later to carry passengers.
Further electrification
To the east of Chiba, electrification reached ChÅshi in 1974, and Limited Express Shiosai has been operated from the underground Tokyo Station since 1975. Freight services from ChÅshi ceased in 1986, just before the privatization of JNR, and regular passenger trains stopped using the RyÅgoku terminal platforms in 1988. JR East started a new airport train, the Narita Express in 1991. Rapid urbanization around Chiba Station made this section important for commuter traffic, for the city of Chiba, and for Greater Tokyo.
Former connecting lines
- Shimosa-Nakayama station (see Chuo-Sobu Line) - A 2 km 610mm gauge human powered line, built to haul sweet potatoes and firewood, but which also carried passengers from 1911, operated to Kamagaya between 1908 and 1918.
- Yachimata station - The Narita Railway Co. opened a 14 km, 600mm (~1'11.5") gauge line to Sanrizuka in 1917. In 1928 the line was converted to 1067mm gauge in conjunction with the extension of the Tako Line (see next entry) to Youkaichiba via Sanrizuka. The line closed in 1940.
- Youkaichiba station - The Narita Railway Co. operated the Tako line, 30 km in length, to Narita between 1928 and 1944.
References
![]() |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to SÅbu Main Line. |
- JTB (ed.) (2008). "JTB JikokuhyÅ" JTB時刻表 [JTB Timetable].
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (ed.) (2000). Heisei 13 Nendo-ban TetsudÅ YÅran å¹³æˆ13年度版鉄é“è¦è¦§ [Railway Directory FY2001] (in Japanese). Tokyo: (鉄é“図書刊行会, TetsudÅtosho KankÅkai). pp. 34, 60, 279, 292. ISBN 4-88548-099-X.
- ↑ This custom is also seen in ChūŠMain Line and less in TÅkaidÅ Main Line
- ↑ "10/21, 房ç·211ç³», å–¶æ¥é‹è»¢é–‹å§‹" [Boso 211 series enter service]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 47 no. 549 (Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd.). January 2007. p. 179.
|