Okhotsk (train)

The Okhotsk (オホーツク, Ohōtsuku) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), which runs between Sapporo and Abashiri.[1] There are two services per day running in both directions, with the journey time taking approximately 5 hours 30 minutes. Trains operate at a maximum speed of 110 km/h.[1] It is named after the Sea of Okhotsk.[2]

Okhotsk

KiHa 183 series DMU forming an Okhotsk service, January 2009
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	Operational
Locale	Hokkaido, Japan
First service	22 September 1959
Current operator(s)	JR Hokkaido
Former operator(s)	JNR
Route
Start	Sapporo
Stops	17
End	Abashiri
Distance travelled	232.7 mi (374.5 km)
Average journey time	5 hours 30 minutes approx
Service frequency	2 return workings daily
Line(s) used	Hakodate Main Line, Soya Main Line, Sekihoku Main Line
On-board services
Class(es)	Green + Standard
Catering facilities	None
Other facilities	Toilet
Technical
Rolling stock	KiHa 183 series DMU
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	None
Operating speed	110 km/h (68 mph)
Route map

Rolling stock

Okhotsk services are normally formed of 4-car KiHa 183 series diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains as shown below, with car 1 at the Sapporo and Abashiri end (train reverses at Engaru Station).[1][3]

Formations

All cars are no-smoking.[4]

Car No.	1	2		3		4
Accommodation	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Reserved	Reserved	Green	Reserved

Past

• KiHa 22 DMUs (September 1959 – October 1961)
• KiHa 56 DMUs (October 1961 – October 1972)
• KiHa 80 DMUs (October 1972 – November 1986)

• 
  Preserved KiHa 22 DMU car, May 2005
• 
  KiHa 80 series DMU on an Okhotsk service, 1986
• 
  KiHa 183 series DMU in JNR livery, August 1985
• 
  KiHa 183 series 6-car DMU in revised livery, 1990
• 
  KiHa 183 series 6-car DMU in revised livery, 1990
• 
  KiHa 183 series 6-car DMU in revised livery, 1990

History

The Okhotsk service was first introduced by Japanese National Railways from the start of the revised timetable on 22 September 1959, as a semi-express service operating between Asahikawa and Abashiri, using KiHa 22 2-car DMUs, with five return workings daily.[2][5] From July 1960, services were extended to Sapporo, and ran coupled with Sōya semi express services over the Hakodate Main Line.[2]

From the start of the revised timetable in October 1961, services were upgraded to "Express" status, and were operated using KiHa 56 4-car DMU formations, including a KiRo 26 Green (first class) car.[2]

From the start of the revised timetable on 2 October 1972, services were upgraded to "Limited express" status, and were operated using KiHa 80 series DMU formations.[2]

From the start of the revised timetable in November 1986, the KiHa 80 series rolling stock was replaced with KiHa 183 series 6-car DMUs.[2]

Sleeper service

14 series sleeping car in an Okhotsk formation at Sapporo station, March 2008

From 1992, the former Taisetsu (大雪) express overnight sleeper service was integrated with the Okhotsk (becoming Okhotsk 9 & 10), featuring a SuHaNeFu 14-500 series sleeping car sandwiched in the DMU formation.[6] From March 2006, this became a seasonal-only train (Okhotsk 81 & 82), and the overnight service was discontinued entirely from 16 March 2008.[7]

SL Okhotsk

JR Hokkaido operates seasonal SL Okhotsk services formed of 14 series passenger coaches hauled by a JNR Class C11 steam locomotive and assisted by a JNR Class DE15 diesel locomotive.[8]

References

1. JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. 2008. p. 116. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
2. Teramoto, Mitsuteru (July 2001). 国鉄・ＪＲ列車名大辞典 [JNR & JR Train Name Encyclopedia]. Tokyo, Japan: Chuoshoin Publishing Co., Ltd. pp. 152–154. ISBN 4-88732-093-0.
3. 特急オホーツク（183系） 列車ガイド [Okhotsk (183 series) Train guide] (in Japanese). Japan: Hokkaido Railway Company. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
4. JR Timetable March 2012 issue, p.100/1003
5. 列車名鑑1995 [Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995. p. 124.
6. こだわりの新幹線＆特急列車ガイド [In-depth Shinkansen & Limited Express Guide]. Japan: Ikaros Publishing. August 2000. p. 45. ISBN 4-87149-284-2.
7. Discontinuation of sleeping car service, 18 April 2008 (Japanese)
8. "JRグループ2012年SL・夏の臨時列車運転計画発表" [JR Group 2012 Steam Special Train Schedule Announcements]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 41 no. 339. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. July 2012. p. 58.

External links

• JR Hokkaido Okhotsk train information (in Japanese)