Wakashio services operate over the Keiyo Line and Sotobo Line, stopping at the following stations.[1] Some services terminate at Kazusa-Ichinomiya, and some services operate as "Local" all-stations services between Katsuura and Awa-Kamogawa.[2] As of March 2018[update], all trains pass through Ubara and Awa-Amatsu stations.[3]
Shinjuku Wakashio services, which operate to/from Shinjuku instead of Tokyo, operate on weekends "when there is heavy use".[4] As of March 2024[update], trains no longer stop at Akihabara or Tsudanuma.[5] Trains now stop at the following stations:[4]
From April 2016 until March 2024, Shinjuku Wakashio services, operating mainly on weekends, stopped at the following stations between Shinjuku and Soga.[1]
Wakashio services are operated using Makuhari-based 5-car E257-500 seriesEMU formations. The E257-500 series formations have no Green (first class) cars.[2]
Past
183 series 9-car EMUs (15 July 1972 – October 2004)
255 series 9-car EMUs (2 July 1993 – 15 March 2024[6])
A 183 series EMU in May 2002
Formations
Trains are formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Tokyo end.[1][7][8]
5-car E257 series
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
Numbering
KuHa E256-500
MoHa E257-1500
MoHa E256-500
MoHa E257-500
KuHa E257-500
Accommodation
Reserved
Reserved
Reserved
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
Past formations
Trains were originally formed of 9-car 183 series and 255 series EMUs and 10-car E257-500 series EMU with formed as shown below, including one Green car, as shown below.[9]
9-car 183 series
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Accommodation
Reserved
Reserved
Reserved
Green
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
All cars except the Green car were non-reserved for Ohayo Wakashio and Hometown Wakashio services.[9]
9-car 255 series
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Numbering
KuHa 254
MoHa 254
MoHa 255
SaRo 255
SaHa 254
SaHa 255
MoHa 254
MoHa 255
KuHa 255
Accommodation
Reserved
Reserved
Reserved
Green
Reserved
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
5+5-car E257 series
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Numbering
KuHa E256-500
MoHa E257-1500
MoHa E256-500
MoHa E257-500
KuHa E257-500
KuHa E256-500
MoHa E257-1500
MoHa E256-500
MoHa E257-500
KuHa E257-500
Accommodation
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
Reserved
Reserved
Reserved
Reserved
Reserved
Non-reserved
Non-reserved
History
The Wakashio service commenced on 15 July 1972, using 183 series EMUs.[10] Evening Hometown Wakashio services for commuters were introduced from 16 March 1991, operating from Tokyo to Kazusa-Ichinomiya.[11]
New 255 series EMUs were introduced from 2 July 1993, initially branded as View Wakashio.[11] Morning Oyaho Wakashio services for commuters were introduced from 3 December 1994, operating from Kazusa-Ichinomiya to Tokyo.[11]
New E257-500 series EMUs were introduced from 16 October 2004, displacing the remaining 183 series trainsets.[2] From the start of the revised timetable on 10 December 2005, Wakashio services were made entirely no-smoking.[7]
The opening of the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line road across the Tokyo Bay in 1997 saw increased competition from long-distance bus services offering cheaper fares, resulting in decreasing ridership figures on the Wakashio services.[12] From the start of the 15 March 2014 timetable revision, the number of services was reduced from 15 to 13 return workings daily.[12]
With the timetable revision on 16 March 2024, the number of Wakashio services is scheduled to reduce again and all remaining regular services will only operate as 5-car formations using E257 series trains. As a result, 9- and 10-car trainsets will cease to run on these services. In addition, services to/from Shinjuku will only operate on selected Saturdays and holidays.[6]
^ ab"2023【ダイヤ改正日】 2024年3月16日（土） - JR東日本 (PDF)" [2023[Timetable revision date] Saturday, March 16, 2024 - JR East] (PDF) (in Japanese). JR East. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
^ ab JR電車編成表 2012冬 [JR EMU Formations - Winter 2012]. Japan: JRR. October 2011. pp. 50–51. ISBN978-4-330-25611-5.
^ ab 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. pp. 84–85. ISBN4-87149-284-2.
^ 列車名鑑1995 [Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995. p. 130.
^ abcTeramoto, Mitsuteru (July 2001). 国鉄・ＪＲ列車名大辞典 [JNR & JR Train Name Encyclopedia]. Tokyo, Japan: Chuoshoin Publishing Co., Ltd. pp. 608–609. ISBN4-88732-093-0.
^ ab房総特急 引き潮 高速道充実で利用者減少 [Boso limited expresses ebbing: Passenger numbers falling due to improved expressway network]. Tokyo Shimbun Web (in Japanese). Japan: The Chunichi Shimbun. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
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