JR West Kure Line full trip, Itozaki to HIroshima Stations

[Sacto1985]

A YouTube member took this very interesting zenmen tenbou video of a westbound trip from Itozaki to Hiroshima Stations via a full trip on the JR West Kure Line, recorded 25 October 2014:

 

 

Note that this was taken from an old ex-JNR 103 Series EMU, which are being rapidly retired from JR West service. I expect this route to completely switch to the new 227 Series EMU, probably by early 2016.

[miyakoji]

Very nice.  Considering the size of the windshield and where the camera can be placed behind the driver's station, I think this is about the best view you could get on a 103.

[katoftw]

It is quite a scenic route?  I watched parts of the video and it was very overcast and dull.  Maybe the weather was hiding the beauty?

 

Would it be an interesting trip if you caught a Shinkansen to Mihaha and the caught the services along this line?  OR vise versa?  Stopping at places that looked interesting along the way?  Looks like hourly services on Hyperdia.

Edited February 21, 2015 by katoftw

[Sacto1985]

 Looks like hourly services on Hyperdia.

 

I think it may be more than that between Hiroshima and Hiro Stations, if you note all the residential developments from Hiro Station westward all the way to west end of the Kure Line at Kaitaichi Station, there is enough demand for service probably 3-4 times per hour each direction.

[miyakoji]

Weekday schedule at Hiro Station, westbound. Three an hour mostly, 5 during the 7 o'clock hour, including some rapids.

 

http://ekikara.jp/newdata/ekijikoku/2701221/down1_34202021.htm

 

It's always interesting to look at schedules. In this case, the marathon all-stops runs at 5:24 and 6:08 to Shin-Yamaguchi and Shimonoseki, respectively.

 

There seems to be a tendency to do lengthy local services early in the morning. Maybe that's just my perception.

Edited February 22, 2015 by miyakoji

[katoftw]

Thanks.  So you could travel the line.  Jump off at a location that looks interesting, and not be stuck there for 1 to 2 hours if it ended up being not a place of interest.

[Sacto1985]

Speaking of which, I wonder will the (likely) faster acceleration of the new 227 Series EMU mean we may eventually see more of the really long local trains like that once-per-day 7+ hour run between Okayama and Shimonoseki Stations?

[miyakoji]

I think it depends on why they really do those.  Do they exist for actual passenger service reasons, or are they equipment moves?

[Nick_Burman]

Nice trip, but those speed restrictions are a nuisance...

 

 

Cheers NB

[Sacto1985]

Nice trip, but those speed restrictions are a nuisance...

 

Well, the JR West Kure Line is essentially a single-track line with passing loop tracks at essentially every station--as such, don't expect fast speeds between stations. That's why you often hear the ATS warning bells when the train is approaching most stations.

[Nick_Burman]

Well, the JR West Kure Line is essentially a single-track line with passing loop tracks at essentially every station--as such, don't expect fast speeds between stations. That's why you often hear the ATS warning bells when the train is approaching most stations.

 

I was referring to the various 20 and 30kph sections between stations.

 

Cheers NB

[bikkuri bahn]

The Kure Line was originally a private railway later nationalised.  It was thus not built to trunkline standards, but rather to serve the online communities.  Thus the 1km spacing between some stations, and the 25km/h speed limit through track points.