Shimizu Tunnel

Infobox tunnel
name = Shimizu Tunnel


caption = Entrance of Shin-Shimizu tunnel.
line = Jōetsu Line
location = Gunma and Niigata Prefectures, Japan
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open = 1931
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operator = JR East
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grade =|nihongo|Shimizu Tunnel|清水トンネル|Shimizu-tonneru is a railroad tunnel in Gunma and Niigata Prefectures of Japan, operated by JR East Jōetsu Line. The name originates from the Shimizu mountain pass nearby. There are three tunnels near each other, which are the Shimizu tunnel, the Shin-Shimizu tunnel, and the Dai-Shimizu tunnel.

himizu tunnel

The Shimizu tunnel is the oldest of the three, opened in 1931 [ [http://www.jreast.co.jp/history/table/index.html JR East timeline] ] after nine years of construction. The length of the tunnel is 9,702 m, and has a single track. Because of technical difficulties at the time, a spiral was built, with a diameter of 800 m. [ [http://www.d4.dion.ne.jp/~m_mori/simizutonneru.html Map around the area] ] This tunnel was the longest in Japan at the time. [http://www.interq.or.jp/mars/omr/m03b_railway/m03b_yuzawa/yubiso.htm Website on Shimizu tunnel] ]

The construction improved the journey time between Niigata and Tokyo, decreasing it by 4 hours since trains no longer needed to go through the Usui Pass. [ [http://www.toei.co.jp/hotel/yuzawa/z_yuzawa_12.html Toei Hotel introduction to Yuzawa and Joetsu Line] ] Because the tunnel was too long to be suitable for steam locomotives, the tracks in and around the tunnel were electrified from the beginning.

hin-Shimizu tunnel

The Shin-Shimizu tunnel was made in 1967 to make the line double track, because of a high demand of transportation on the Joetsu line. The tunnel is 13,500 m long.