Longest local train service

[bikkuri bahn]

In duration, the longest regularly scheduled local service in Japan is JR Hokkaido's Takikawa~Kushiro train 2429D.  It takes 8 hours and 2 minutes to cover the 308.4 km between those two points. I was at Takikawa today, and though too late to actually see that train, I did photograph the promotional banner for it.  If you're lucky, at some point along the line a red/orange kiha 40 may be part of the consist.

 

a passenger view from the window, by contributor yaso214:

[Densha]

That's really a long distance, it's about the most northern place in my country to the most southern place. Though it would be done in a few hours here, because even local trains are fast and such here. I'm curious why it takes so long... that youtube movie has some really beautiful scenery though, I wouldn't mind taking 8 hours for that.

[The_Ghan]

bikkuri,

 

When are you making the full length video?

 

Cheers

 

The_Ghan

[keitaro]

bikkuri,

 

When are you making the full length video?

 

Cheers

 

The_Ghan

 

when batteries last 8 hours :P

[westfalen]

In February 2006 I rode 2429D from Furano to Shintoku as part of a day trip from Sapporo to Asahikawa to Shintoku and back to Sapporo via a side trip up the Yubari line.

[bikkuri bahn]

I'm curious why it takes so long... that youtube movie has some really beautiful scenery though, I wouldn't mind taking 8 hours for that.

 

The line it traverses is single track, and meanders through the mountains and valleys.  The train has a 20 minute stop at Furano, as well as a 14 minute stop at Obihiro.  If I recall correctly, it makes several extended stops at other stations/sidings to let ltd. expresses pass.  It basically is the local that has the lowest priority of trains on the line.

[westfalen]

I'm curious why it takes so long... that youtube movie has some really beautiful scenery though, I wouldn't mind taking 8 hours for that.

 

The line it traverses is single track, and meanders through the mountains and valleys.  The train has a 20 minute stop at Furano, as well as a 14 minute stop at Obihiro.  If I recall correctly, it makes several extended stops at other stations/sidings to let ltd. expresses pass.  It basically is the local that has the lowest priority of trains on the line.

On the day of my trip the rearmost of the three cars was uncoupled and left behind at Furano.

 

In my experience a lot of Japanese local trains have rather lengthy stops along the way for various operational reasons, one of the reasons I like using them is to have enough time for a walk around some small country town instead of flashing through on a Ltd Exp.