Hakubi Line

infobox rail
railroad_name=Hakubi Line

---

image_caption=Limited Express "Yakumo"
locale=Okayama and Tottori Prefectures
start_year=1919
end_year=present
successor_line=
successor_line=
gauge= 1,067 mm / 3 ft 6 in
(narrow gauge)
length=138.4km / 86 miles
|The nihongo|Hakubi Line|伯備線|Hakubisen is a major rail line operated by JR West in the mountainous area of the Chūgoku region of Japan. It begins at the south end of Okayama Prefecture at Kurashiki Station in Kurashiki, passing through Niimi Station on the west side of Niimi, and terminating at Hōki-Daisen Station in Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, linking Okayama Prefecture and Yonago across the Chūgoku Mountain Range. The Hakubi Line follows the Takahashi River between Kurashiki and Niimi, and the Hino River between Shōyama and Hōki-Daisen.

Beginning in 2007, the ICOCA card can be used in all stations between Kurashiki Station and Bitchū-Takahashi Station.

Line data

The Okayama office of JR West has jurisdictional control over operations between Kurashiki and Niizato stations, with the Yonago branch office picking up control between Kami-Iwami and Hōki-Daisen Station. The boundary is midway between Niizato and Kami-Iwami Stations. The line color for the portion covered by the Okayama office is vermillion orange, while the section covered by the Yonago office is the standard blue.
*Operator: West Japan Railway Company (Class-1 railroad) (Ibara Railway jointly operates the 3.4km section between Kiyone and Sōja Stations)
*Official line length: 138.4km
*Gauge: 1067mm
*Stations: 28
*Double track: Kurashiki - Bitchū-Takahashi, Ikura - Ishiga, and Niimi - Nunohara
*Electrified sections: all (1500V, direct current)
*Closure system: Special automatic closure type (track circuit detection, both single- and double-track sections)
*Speed limit: ::Kurashiki - Bitchū-Takahashi: 120km/h::Bitchū-Takahashi - Ebi: 110km/h::Ebi - Hōki-Daisen: 120km/h
*Smallest curve: 200R
*Steepest grade: 25%
*Operational command: ::Kurashiki - Niizato: Okayama CTC Center::Niizato — Hōki-Daisen: Yonago CTC Center

History

Overview

The Hakubi Line is constructed as a generally south to north line. The north section opened in 1919 with the line between Hōki-Mizoguchi and Hōki-Daisen. The Hakubi South Line was created in 1925, with service between Shisawa (now Gōkei) and Kurashiki. In 1926, the line was extended through Ashidachi. The following two years brought more station openings with the line extending through Bitchū-Kawamo in 1927, and the section the connection between the north and south segments being made in 1928.

Timeline

*1919-08-10: The Hakubi North Line opens with service between Hōki-Mizoguchi and Hōki-Daisen Stations
*1922-03-25: The Hakubi North Line opens service between Hōki-Mizoguchi and Ebi Stations
*1922-07-10: The Hakubi North Line opens service between Ebi and Neu Stations
*1922-11-10: The Hakubi North Line opens service between Neu and Kurosaka Stations
*1923-11-28: The Hakubi North Line opens service between Kurosaka and Shōyama Stations
*1924-12-06: The Hakubi North Line opens service between Shōyama and Kami-Iwami Stations
*1925-02-17: The Hakubi South Line opens service between Kurashiki and Shisawa Station (now Gōkei)
*1925-04-01: The Hakubi North Line opens service at Kamisuge Station
*1925-05-17: The Hakubi South Line opens service between Shisawa and Minagi Stations

tations

Listed in order from Kurashiki to Hōki-Daisen Station.

ee also

*List of railway lines in Japan