Shigaraki Kohgen Railway Co., Ltd. (信楽高原鐵道株式会社, Shigaraki Kōgen Tetsudō Kabushiki-gaisha) is a Japanese third-sector railway company funded by Shiga Prefecture and the city of Koka.
 Headquarters adjacent to Shigaraki Station | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main region(s) | Shiga Prefecture, Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stations called at | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent company | Kōka 55.1%) Shiga Prefecture (34.5%) Ohmi Railway (5.3%) Kōka City Mayor Liaison Council Shigaraki Area Mayor Association (2.9%) Shiga Bank (1.0%) As of 31 March 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dates of operation | February 10, 1987–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Japanese National Railways (JNR) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electrification | not electrified | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length | 14.7 km (9.1 mi) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | koka-skr.co.jp | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The railway operates the Shigaraki Line, a former JR West line that was transferred to the third sector in 1987. The Shigaraki Line connects Kibukawa on the JR West Kusatsu Line with Shigaraki.
Route data
- Operating Company:
- Shigaraki Kohgen Railway Co.
- Distance:
- Kibukawa — Shigaraki: 14.7 km
- Gauge: 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
- Stations: 6
- Double-track: None
- Electrification: Not electrified
Stations
| Station | Japanese | Distance (km) | Transfers | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Between stations | Total | |||||
| Kibukawa | 貴生川 | - | 0.0 | .svg){kind=logo}  JR West Kusatsu Line ■ Ohmi Railway Main Line | Kōka | Shiga Prefecture |
| Shigarakigūshi | 紫香楽宮跡 | 9.6 | 9.6 | |||
| Kumoi | 雲井 | 0.6 | 10.2 | |||
| Chokushi | 勅旨 | 2.2 | 12.4 | |||
| Gyokukeijimae | 玉桂寺前 | 1.0 | 13.4 | |||
| Shigaraki | 信楽 | 1.3 | 14.7 | |||
Rolling stock
- SKR310 series (since 2001)
- SKR400 series (since 2015)
- SKR500 series (since 5 February 2017)
As of February 2017[update], the company operates a fleet of four diesel railcars: SKR310 series cars SKR311 and SKR312, SKR400 series car SKR401, and SKR500 series car SKR501.[1] The two SKR310 series diesel railcars were introduced in 2001, based on the earlier SKR300 series design but with more powerful engines.[2] SKR400 series diesel railcar SKR401 was delivered to the line in September 2015. This replaced car SKR301, which was withdrawn from service on 3 October 2015.[3] New SKR500 series diesel railcar SKR501 entered revenue service on the line from 5 February 2017.[4] This replaced SKR205, which made its last run on 4 February 2017.[5] While similar in design to the earlier SKR400 series car SKR401, SKR501 has transverse seating, whereas SKR401 has longitudinal bench seating.[6]
An SKR310 series diesel car
SKR401 in January 2017
SKR501 in March 2017
Former rolling stock
- SKR200 series (x5, from 1987 until February 2017)
- SKR300 series (x1, from 1995 until October 2015)
Five SKR200 series railcars were introduced between 1987 and 1992.[2] One SKR300 series car was introduced in 1995.[2]
SKR200 series diesel railcar SKR205 in October 2007
SKR301 in September 2006
History
The line was opened by the Japanese Government Railways on May 8, 1933.[7] Freight services ceased in 1982.[citation needed]
The company was established on February 10, 1987, and started the railway operation on July 13, 1987, following the end of the operation by JR West the day before.[7] Originally the company owned the railway facilities, but on April 1, 2013, the asset was transferred to the city of Kōka for 10-year free lease to the company as a part of the restructuring.[8]
Service disruptions
The line has an unfortunate record in this regard, with services suspended between 1943 and 1947 due to it being deemed non-essential during World War II and the track was removed. The citizens' volunteer work contributed to the reopening of the line on July 25, 1947.[7]
A bridge was washed out in 1953, and the line was out of service for a year whilst it was rebuilt.[citation needed]
The 1991 collision (see below) resulted in the suspension of services for six months.[7]
The line was out of service from September 16, 2013, to November 29, 2014, as a result of another bridge washout caused by Typhoon Man-yi.[9][10][11]
Accidents
The Shigaraki train disaster happened on the line in May 1991, when a through train from JR West collided head-on with a Shigaraki Kohgen Railway train, killing 42 people.
See also
References
External links
- Official website (in Japanese)