Shinonoi Line

Shinonoi Line
Limited express Shinano running on the Shinonoi line in April 2022
Overview
Native name篠ノ井線
OwnerJR East
LocaleNagano Prefecture
Termini
Stations15
Service
TypeHeavy rail
Technical
Line length66.7 km (41.4 mi)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Operating speed130 km/h (80 mph)
Route map

The Shinonoi Line (篠ノ井線, Shinonoi-sen) is a railway line in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It connects Shinonoi Station in Nagano with Shiojiri Station in Shiojiri.

The line is a corridor between the Shinetsu Main Line and the Chūō Main Line. All the limited express trains on the Shinonoi Line come from the Chūō Main Line: Azusa from Tokyo and Shinano from Nagoya.

Stations

All stations are located in Nagano Prefecture.

●: All trains stop, ▲: Some trains stop, ｜: non-stop, Rapid Misuzu stops at all stations
Line name Station Japanese Distance
(km) 		Rapid Good

Morning

Liner

Transfers Location
Shinonoi Line Shiojiri 塩尻 0.0 ● ● ■ Chūō Main Line Shiojiri
Hirooka 広丘 3.8 ● ↓  
Murai 村井 6.8 ● ●   Matsumoto
Hirata 平田 8.8 ● ↓  
Minami-Matsumoto 南松本 10.9 ● ↓  
Matsumoto 松本 13.3 ● ●
Tazawa 田沢 21.6 ● ●   Azumino
Akashina 明科 28.2 ● ●  
Nishijō 西条 37.2 ▲ ↓   Chikuhoku, Higashi­chikuma District
Sakakita 坂北 40.9 ▲ ↓  
Hijiri-Kōgen 聖高原 45.0 ● ↓   Omi, Higashi­chikuma District
Kamuriki 冠着 48.3 ▲ ↓   Chikuhoku, Higashi­chikuma District
Obasute 姨捨 54.2 ▲ ↓   Chikuma
Inariyama 稲荷山 62.9 ▲ ↓   Nagano
Shinonoi 篠ノ井 66.7 ● ● Shinano Railway Line
Shin'etsu Main Line ●
Imai 今井 68.8 ｜ ↓  
Kawanakajima 川中島 71.0 ▲ ↓  
Amori 安茂里 73.1 ｜ ↓  
Nagano 長野 76.0 ● ●
  1. ^ Although the official terminus of the Iiyama Line is at Toyono, trains on the line run through to Nagano.

Passing loops and switchbacks

Hirase loop

A passing loop is located in Azumino, known as Hirase shingōjō (平瀬信号場). It has two tracks.

Haneo switchback

A switchback is located in Azumino, known as Haneo shingōjō (羽尾信号場)

Kuwanohara switchback

A switchback is located in Azumino, known as Kuwanohara shingōjō (桑ノ原信号場)

  • Hirase loop (A: to Matsumoto, B: to Tazawa)
    Hirase loop (A: to Matsumoto, B: to Tazawa)
  • Haneo switchback (A: to Kamuriki (uphill), B: to Obasute)
    Haneo switchback (A: to Kamuriki (uphill), B: to Obasute)
  • Kuwanohara switchback (A: to Obasute (uphill), B: to Inariyama)
    Kuwanohara switchback (A: to Obasute (uphill), B: to Inariyama)

Rolling stock

Limited express

Local

Former rolling stock

History

The Shinonoi to Nishijo section opened in 1900, and was extended via Matsumoto to Shiojiri in 1902.[citation needed]

The Shiojiri to Matsumoto section was double-tracked between 1961 and 1965, with the Tazawa to Akashina section double-tracked in 1966. The Akashina to Nishijo section was also double-tracked, but the original line was decommissioned in 1988.[citation needed]

The Shiojiri to Matsumoto section was electrified in 1964/5, and extended to Shinonoi in 1973, CTC signalling being commissioned on the entire line the previous year.[citation needed]

Former connecting lines

  • Matsumoto Station: The Chikuma Electric Railway opened a 5 km line, electrified at 600 V DC, to Asama Onsen in 1924. In 1958 the voltage was raised to 750 V DC, but the line closed in 1964.[citation needed]

References