Minakami (train)

Minakami
185-200 series EMU on a Minakami service, December 2006
Service type	Limited express
Operator	JR East
Line used	Tōhoku Main Line, Takasaki Line, Joetsu Line
Maximum speed	110 km/h[1]
Started	1964 (Semi express) 1997 (Limited express)
Rolling stock	185 series EMUs

The Minakami (水上^?) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) between Ueno in Tokyo and Minakami in Gunma Prefecture.^[2]

History

The Minakami service (written in hiragana as "みなかみ") began as a semi-express service between Ueno and Minakami from 1 October 1964. This operated until 30 September 1965, after which the train was renamed Okutone.^[3]

The name was revived from 1 October 1997 (this time written in kanji as "水上") following the renaming of the former Tanigawa limited express service.^[2]

From the start of the revised timetable on 4 December 2010, the Minakami will cease to be a regular service, operating only during busy seasons.^[4]

Rolling stock

Services are formed of 7-car 185 series EMU formations, sometimes coupled with Akagi services.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} ＪＲ新幹線＆特急列車ファイル (JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File). Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. 2008. p. 72. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6. 
2. ^ ^{a b} こだわりの新幹線＆特急列車ガイド (In-depth Shinkansen & Limited Express Guide). Japan: Ikaros. 2000. p. 86. ISBN 4-87149-284-2. 
3. ^ 列車名鑑1995 [Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995. p. 130. 
4. ^ [http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2010/20100916.pdf "２０１０年１２月 ダイヤ改正について (Details of December 2010 Timetable Revision)"] (in Japanese) (Press release). JR East. 24 September 2010. http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2010/20100916.pdf. Retrieved 25 September 2010. 

External links

• JR East 185 series Akagi/Kusatsu/Minakami (Japanese)