Shinano (train)

The Shinano (しなの), branded as (Wide View) Shinano (（ワイドビュー）しなの) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), which runs between Nagoya and Nagano via Matsumoto.[1] During certain times of the year, some trains will travel to Hakuba station.

Shinano

383 series electric train on a Shinano service in May 2007
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	Operational
First service	11 November 1953 (Semi-express) 13 December 1959 (Express) 1 October 1968 (Limited express)
Current operator(s)	JR Central / JR East
Former operator(s)	JNR
Route
Start	Nagoya
Stops	15
End	Nagano, Hakuba
Distance travelled	155.8 mi (250.8 km)
Average journey time	2 hours 55 minutes approx
Service frequency	Approximately one train an hour in each direction
Line(s) used	Chūō Main Line, Shinonoi Line, Shin'etsu Main Line
On-board services
Class(es)	Green + Standard
Seating arrangements	2+2 unidirectional
Catering facilities	Trolley service
Other facilities	Toilet
Technical
Rolling stock	383 series EMU
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	1,500 V DC
Operating speed	130 km/h (80 mph)[1]

Route

Trains start or terminate at Nagoya Station. Some seasonal trains travel to Hakuba station.

Nagoya - (Kanayama) - Chikusa - Tajimi - (Ena) - Nakatsugawa - (Nagiso) - (Agematsu) - Kiso-Fukushima - Shiojiri - Matsumoto - (Akashina) - (Hijiri-Kōgen) - Shinonoi - Nagano

Stations in brackets indicate the stations where not all Shinano services stop at.

Rolling stock

• 383 series 6-, 8-, or 10-car EMUs (since 1 December 1996)[1]

Past

• KiHa 181 series DMUs (1968–1972)
• 381 series EMUs (1972–2008)

• 
  Preserved JNR KiHa 181 series DMU car
• 
  381 series EMU on a seasonal "Shinano" service, July 2006

Accommodation

Green car (first class) and standard class accommodation is provided, with 2+2 abreast unidirectional seating in both classes.[1] Seat pitch is 1,200 mm (47 in) in Green class and 1,000 mm (39 in) in standard class.[1] All trains are no smoking.

History

The Shinano service was first introduced on 11 November 1953 as a semi-express operating between Nagoya and Nagano.[2] This was upgraded to "express" status from 13 December 1959, and became a "limited express" from 1 October 1968.[2]

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. 32. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
2. 列車名鑑1995 [Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995. p. 126.

External links

• JR Central Shinano information (in Japanese)