The line takes its name from the kanji characters of the cities of Nabari (名張) and Matsusaka (松阪). Although this line was planned to connect them, the section from Ise-Okitsu to Nabari was never built, due to the prior completion of the present KintetsuOsaka Line.
History
The section between Matsusaka and Ieki opened in stages between 1929 and 1931, and was extended to Ise-Okitsu in 1935. Freight services ceased in 1965. The closure of the line has been discussed multiple times, with the first taking place during the deficit 83 lines movement in 1968 and the second specified local lines selection of lines, but was never closed due to the poor road conditions in the area. The closure was discussed again in October 2009, when Typhoon Melor struck the area and washed out over 40 sections between Ieki and Ise-Okitsu, but the line reopened on March 26, 2016 with help from passing municipalities.[1]
Former connecting lines
Ise-Kawaguchi station - The Dainippon Railway Co. operated a 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) gauge line to Hisai on the Kintetsu Nagoya Line between 1925 and 1943.
The Meishō Line is a rural line in the inland of Mie Prefecture.[1] There are eight return workings a day. All trains are Local driver-only services and stop at every station. There are no limited-stop services such as rapids.[2] Services are nearly always formed of single-car KiHa 11 series DMUs, though two cars may occasionally be used during events or busy seasons.[3]
