Azusa (train)

Azusa
Super Azusa

E351 series Super Azusa EMU, January 2010
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	Operational
Locale	Japan
First service	1 October 1957 (Semi express) 12 December 1966 (Limited express)
Current operator(s)	JR East
Former operator(s)	JNR
Route
Line used	Chūō Main Line, Shinonoi Line
On-board services
Class(es)	Green + Ordinary
Catering facilities	Trolley service
Technical
Rolling stock	E351 series (Super Azusa) E257 series EMUs
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	1,500 V DC
Operating speed	130 km/h (80 mph)

The Azusa (あずさ) and Super Azusa (スーパーあずさ) are limited express services operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), which run between Shinjuku and Matsumoto via the Chūō Main Line and Shinonoi Line. The name Azusa is taken from the Azusa River in Matsumoto, Nagano.

Route

Azusa

Shinjuku - Matsumoto - Minami-Otari
(One train a day starts/terminates at Chiba)

Super Azusa

Shinjuku - Matsumoto

Rolling stock

• 183 series EMUs (since 1972, now used for seasonal additional services only)
• 189 series EMUs (since 1975, now used for seasonal additional services only)
• E257 series EMUs (since 2001)
• E351 series EMUs (Super Azusa, since 1993)
• E353 series EMUs (Super Azusa, from spring 2016)

• 183-1000 Azusa 20010513.jpg

  A 183 series EMU in revised Azusa livery, January 2001

• JR East E257 Limited Express Azusa.jpg

  An E257 series EMU on an Azusa service, January 2008

• JR east E351.jpg

  An E351 series EMU on a Super Azusa service, July 2010

• E353 series set S201 Kami-Suwa Station 20150729.JPG

  A E353 series train, July 2015

From 2016, new E353 series EMUs are scheduled to be introduced on Azusa and Super Azusa services, replacing the E351 and E257 series trains. The new trains will feature power outlets for passenger use and WiFi internet service.

Rolling stock previously used

• 181 series 10-car EMUs (from 1966)
• 165 series EMUs (from 1966)

• 181 Azusa 8 Shinjuku 19750119.jpg

  A 181 series EMU on an Azusa service in 1975

• 165 M3 Kaiji Mitaka 20030712.jpg

  A 165 series EMU

Formations

Azusa

Azusa services are formed of 2+9-car or 9-car E257 series trainsets as shown below, with car 1 at the southern (Chiba/Tokyo/Shinjuku) end. All cars are no-smoking.

Car No.	1	2		3	4	5	6	7	8		9	10	11
Numbering	KuHa E257	KuMoHa E257		KuHa E257	MoHa E257	MoHa E256	MoHa E257	SaHa E257	SaRoHa E257		MoHa E257	MoHa E256	KuHa E256
Accommodation	Reserved	Reserved		Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved	Green	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved

Super Azusa

Super Azusa services are formed of 4+8-car E351 series trainsets as shown below, with car 1 at the southern (Tokyo/Shinjuku) end. All cars are no-smoking.

Car No.	1	2	3	4		5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Numbering	KuHa E351	MoHa E351	MoHa E350	KuHa E351		KuHa E351	MoHa E351	MoHa E350	SaHa E351	SaRo E351	MoHa E351	MoHa E350	KuHa E351
Accommodation	Reserved	Reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved		Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Reserved	Reserved	Green	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved

History

File:JR East 183 GU azusa o.jpg

A 183 series EMU in original "Grade-up Azusa" livery

The Azusa service began on 1 October 1957 as a semi express operating between Shinjuku and Matsumoto. This operated until 24 April 1960 when it was absorbed into Hakuba semi express services.

The Azusa name was revived from 12 December 1966 for use on limited express services operating between Shinjuku and Matsumoto.

The premier Super Azusa service commenced on 3 December 1994 with the delivery of the first new E351 series tilting EMUs.

New E257 series EMUs were introduced on Azusa services from the start of the revised timetable on 1 December 2001.

Smoking was prohibited in all cars from 18 March 2007.

See also

• List of named passenger trains of Japan
• Kaiji, another limited express service operated on the Chuo Line

External links

• JR E257 Azusa/Kaiji (Japanese)
• JR E351 Super Azusa (Japanese)