Services are normally formed of 4- or 8-car 783 series EMU formations as shown below.[1] All cars are no-smoking.[1]
4-car formations
Car No.
5
6
7
8
Accommodation
Green
Reserved
Reserved
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
8-car formations
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Accommodation
Green
Reserved
Reserved
Reserved
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
Green
Reserved
Reserved
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
History
The Midori name was first used from 1 October 1961 on limited express services operating between Osaka and Hakata using 12-car KiHa 80 seriesdiesel multiple unit (DMU) sets.[3] Timings were as shown below.[4]
Down: Osaka 13:40 → Hakata 22:35
Up: Hakata 07:25 → Osaka 16:20
From 1 October 1964, with the opening of the Tokaido Shinkansen, services operated between Shin-Osaka and Kumamoto and Oita.[3] Although the route was now electrified, services continued to use KiHa 80 series DMU sets formed as 13 cars.[4]
From 1 October 1965, the services operated between Shin-Osaka and Sasebo and Oita.[3] From 1 October 1967, services were once again modified to run between Shin-Osaka and Oita, this time using new 581 series EMUs.[4] The 581 series units were used for only a year on these services, however, replaced by 11-car 485 series EMU formations from October 1968.[4]
A 485 series EMU on a Midori service, circa 1985
With the opening of the Sanyō Shinkansen to Okayama in October 1973, Midori services were increased to two return workings daily, operating between Okayama and Oita.[4] From April 1974, the Nippo Main Line to Minami-Miyazaki was electrified, and the Midori services were reorganized as shown below, with one working daily extended to and from Miyazaki.[4]
DownMidori 1: Osaka → Oita
DownMidori 2: Okayama → Miyazaki
UpMidori 1: Oita → Okayama
UpMidori 2: Miyazaki → Osaka
These services were discontinued from March 1975 following the completion of the Sanyō Shinkansen to Hakata.[4]
Refurbished JR Kyushu 485 series EMU with "Midori Express" branding, March 1994
From 1 July 1976, following electrification of the route from Hakata to Nagasaki and Sasebo, the Midori name was revived for new services operating between Kokura, Hakata and Sasebo, using 4-car 485 series EMUs running as 12-car formations in conjunction with Kamome services between Kokura/Hakata and Hizen-Yamaguchi.[3] Initially 6 return workings daily were operated, increased to 10 daily from October 1980, and further increased to 13 return workings daily from November 1982.[4] From November 1986, the Midori services were rescheduled to operate separately from the Kamome services. Following privatization of Japanese National Railways (JNR), the 485 series EMUs used on Midori services were refurbished between 1990 and 1991, receiving all-over red liveries and "Midori Express" branding.[4] By March 2000, all services were operated with 783 series EMUs.[4]
References
^ abcJR時刻表 [JR Timetable]. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. March 2012. p. 1011.
.svg){kind=logo}