Nara to JR Namba via Sakurai, Wakayama and Kansai Main Lines

[Sacto1985]

YouTube member Arkibk Train just released this zenmen tenbou video of a "long way around" trip from JR West Nara to JR West JR Namba Stations, taken from the front of a 221 Series EMU:

 

 

Note that since March 2010, the Sakurai Line from Nara to Takada Stations is often referred by its nickname--even officially by JR West--under the name Man'yō-Mahoroba Line (万葉まほろば線).

Edited May 16, 2016 by Sacto1985

[bikkuri bahn]

Nara Station has as an origin point a number of these interesting early morning-only runs on circuitous/cross country routes, such as a run to Nishi Akashi via the Gakkentoshi/Tozai Line.  These services (a remnant of JNR practice?) make JR West more interesting in some respects than other JR companies.

[Nick_Burman]

An interesting ride, if only because of the unmodernized nature the infrastructure on the Sakurai Line... in many stations one can actually see where the goods yard used to be and the large number of wooden platform shelters. JR West must get such a walloping from Kintetsu in the area that they won't even bother putting money...

 

Cheers NB

Edited May 16, 2016 by Nick_Burman

[miyakoji]

It would be interesting to know how they prioritize updates, upgrades, etc.  If passengers are really choosing Kintetsu, I wonder if the appeal is something JRW could combat with some investment.  Or, is it a lost cause?  Very interesting :)

[Sacto1985]

Nick, given the rural nature of most of the Sakurai Line, interestingly JR West still has riders for that line, since there's no Kintetsu lines nearby except from Tenri Station. I think JR West is still running a small number of 103 and 201 Series EMU's on that line even now. JR West also runs a similar operation from central Osaka on the Katamachi Line all the way east to Kizu Station, which is the junction between Katamachi, Nara and Kansai Main LInes.