Akatsuki (train)

Infobox j-rail service
name="Akatsuki"


caption="Naha/Akatsuki" headed by EF66 electric locomotive
type=Limited express
operator=JR West
lines= Tōkaidō Main Line, Sanyō Main Line, Kagoshima Main Line, Nagasaki Main Line
maxspeed=
startyear=1965
endyear=2008
stock=The nihongo|"Akatsuki"|あかつき was an overnight sleeper train service in Japan operated by JR West from Kyoto Station to Nagasaki Station and return. It ran on the Tōkaido, Sanyō, Kagoshima, and Nagasaki main lines.

From October 2005, the train ran coupled with the "Naha" sleeper between Kyoto Station and Tosu Station.

Due to falling passenger numbers, both the "Naha" and "Akatsuki" services ceased following the March 15, 2008 timetable revision.

chedule

Timetable of "Akatsuki", as of March 2008 before its discontinuationSource: [http://www.ekikara.jp/ Ekikara Jikokuhyō]

History

"Akatsuki", as an overnight limited express service, was introduced on October 1, 1965 by Japanese National Railways. It was operated between Shin-Ōsaka and two destinations in Kyūshū, namely Nishi-Kagoshima (present-day Kagoshima-Chūō) and Nagasaki. It was connected at Shin-Ōsaka with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen.

In the 1960s, the operation of "Akatsuki" was increased. Its maximum operation was 14 services (7 round-trips) a day in the mid-1970s, and all of them were connected with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen.

At the end of 1970s, the number of "Akatsuki" services was reduced due to decreasing ridership.

From November 1986, "Akatsuki" remains as only two services (one round-trips) a day.

Due to falling passenger numbers, the service was discontinued in March 2008.

Rolling stock

Historically, "Akatsuki" used the following types of coaches:
*20 series passenger cars
*14/15 series passenger cars
*24/25 series passenger carsWhen the train was discontinued, the train consisted of 14/15 series cars.