Hisatsu Line - Kumamoto - Hitoyoshi to Okoba

[JR 500系]

Hi guys!

 

I tried searching on this forum but couldnt find much infomation about this line, and the famous switch back!

 

I was introduced to this line and the switch back last Sunday while watching my favourite show on TV, Japan Hour. It's a variety program that has been going on for coming to 21 years now and show-cases the beautiful sights of Japan. I have been watching this since i was young, being a real Japan fan and all. But last Sunday's episode had a real impact on me! More info here:

 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/japanhour/highlights_jan19_2013.htm

 

I tried to download this episode, but i couldnt find it/ do it.. A real pity. Hirohiko Yokomi is a true train fan and has been to EVERY train station in Japan.

 

The Hisatsu line is based in Kuhshu, Kumamoto region. This line was built in a loop and goes up a hill, and for the trains to gain enough power, a switch back was used. Basically, the trains made a 'U-turn' before climbing up the hill to gain enough power to do just that.. While i watched the video, i kept cursing myself why i didnt know how to download this if not i would definately keep and share this with you guys. It's really interesting and infomative..

 

Some photos here:

 

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/columns/0004/station061.htm

 

Also, it's another MUST GO destination for me in the next Japan trip since it's in Kyushu (where i plan to visit since the last time i went to Hokkaido), and both the Shinpei and the Hayato No Kaze are there! Sweet!

 

Appreciate if anyone has more infomation, perfably a video, to show with the other about this switch back technology... It's really sweet and interesting and would be nice to see someone model it in N scale! 

[Densha]

The first link you posted has a button to this page with links:

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/japanhour/featured_jan19_2013.htm

 

Oh god look at the third picture from above at this page (linked from the link above):

http://www.fsinet.or.jp/~mayumi/Okoba2.htm

How beautiful...

 

I think this is the station with the switch back:

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E7%95%91%E9%A7%85

I found it by looking at the route map at the wikipedia page of the Hisatsu line.

[bikkuri bahn]

Yes, The switchback and loop at Okaba is one of the more scenic railway locations in Japan, but it is certainly not the only switchback in operation.  Just 10 days ago I had the experience of traversing two switchbacks, one the famous switchback at Obasute on the Shinonoi Line, and the less well known switchback at Nihongi, on the Shinetsu Line between Nagano and Naoetsu.

 

The switchback at Nihongi (snowless in this scene), fast forward to 1:10 to see the action with 189 series used on the Myoko services:

Edited January 22, 2013 by bikkuri bahn

[Densha]

Now we're talking about switchbacks anyway, there's also one at Tsubojiru station on the Dosan line in Shikoku.

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9D%AA%E5%B0%BB%E9%A7%85

Not as impressive as the ones mentioned above though.

[JR 500系]

Neat! Thanks for the video Bikkuri Bahn! That is exactly what i was talking about! The entire switch back action was caught on that video. It was nice to see the switches switch points (and not to mention it looked pretty spooky too...) at 1:58 and 4:23... And how the 189 made use of the switch back to 1) rest the train for a while and 2) made space for the on-coming downward train... It's really cool!

 

Hhhmmm seems to me the documentary i saw on Channel News Asia lied to me... They mentioned it was the only switch back in Japan...

 

Anyone knows if the Hayato-No-Kaze does this switch back action too?

 

Anyone with intention to model this switch back action?

[Sacto1985]

I really have to ask, why did they build the switchback stations at Obasute and Nihongi Stations? You'd think with the right excavating equipment they could excavate out a station location without the complications of a switchback setup.

[bikkuri bahn]

I really have to ask, why did they build the switchback stations at Obasute and Nihongi Stations? You'd think with the right excavating equipment they could excavate out a station location without the complications of a switchback setup.

Switchbacks are built to enable trains to overcome grades that otherwise would stall them, and are cheaper to build than tunneling or adding helper districts. Back in the day with most trains steam hauled, grades were a big obstacle. Nowadays with emus and generally shorter trains (but more of them) most of these switchbacks are not really needed, but continue to serve as loop lines on single track sections.

Edited January 23, 2013 by bikkuri bahn

[Sacto1985]

By the way, another famous switchback is near Izumo-Sakane Station on the JR West Kisuki Line, as seen by YT regular nimo5 on a video released nearly three years ago:

 

[westfalen]

Switchbacks are built to enable trains to overcome grades that otherwise would stall them, and are cheaper to build than tunneling or adding helper districts. Back in the day with most trains steam hauled, grades were a big obstacle. Nowadays with emus and generally shorter trains (but more of them) most of these switchbacks are not really needed, but continue to serve as loop lines on single track sections.

When my two friends and I spent the afternoon at Obasute in last November I noticed the remains of a steam loco water column between the tracks near the end of the platform so I can imagine steam crews taking advantage of a stop on a level section of track to take water and service the loco. Also when you go there in person you realise how steep the grade is and the problems of locating the station and crossing loop on the main line.

 

Don't forget the switchback at Tateno on the Hohi Line on Kyushu.

[bikkuri bahn]

Don't forget the switchback at Tateno on the Hohi Line on Kyushu.

Yes, that's a good one on the Houhi Line between Kumamoto and Oita.  Quite spread out over a mountainside. Too bad the trains using it now are not so impressive.

[westfalen]

Yes, that's a good one on the Houhi Line between Kumamoto and Oita.  Quite spread out over a mountainside. Too bad the trains using it now are not so impressive.

Agreed, I've done it twice on the Aso Boy, it's a shame it doesn't go that way anymore.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

There is some stuff on the loop here...

 

http://www.japaneserailwaysociety.com/jrs/members/minoru/okblp/okblp.htm

[JR 500系]

Hi all!

 

Here's the official webpage of a celebrity of Japan Rail, the only guy that has been to ALL train stations in Japan... He's really really famous!

 

横見浩彦 - Hirohiko Yokomi 51 years old

http://yokotetu.net/

 

Man wonder how much time and money he spent visiting ALL of Japan's stations???