Takamori Line
Tateno Bridge
Tateno Bridge with a scenic view
Overview
Native name高森線
LocaleKumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan
Termini
Stations10
Color on map  Green (#438D80)
Service
Operator(s)Minamiaso Railway
History
Opened12 February 1928 (1928-02-12)
Technical
Line length17.7 km (11.0 mi)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
ElectrificationNot electrified
Operating speed65 km/h (40 mph)
Route map

 Hōhi Main Line
0.0
 Tateno
 Hōhi Main Line
4.7
 Choyo
5.7
 Kase
7.2
 Aso-Shimodajyo
9.1
 Minamiaso Mizu-no-Umareru-Sato Hakusui-Kōgen
10.5
 Nakamatsu
13.5
 Aso-Shirakawa
14.3
 Minamiaso-Shirakawasuigen
16.1
 Miharashidai
17.7
 Takamori
 Uncompleted section
 Takamori Tunnel
Takachiko
 Takachiho Railway Takachiko Line(Now defunct)

The Takamori Line (高森線, Takamori-sen) is a Japanese railway line in Kumamoto Prefecture, between Tateno Station, Minamiaso, and Takamori Station, Takamori. This is the only railway line Minamiaso Railway (南阿蘇鉄道, Minamiaso Tetsudō, "South Aso Railway") operates. The line traverses the southern part of Mount Aso caldera.

History

The single-track line was opened by the Japanese Government Railways in 1928. The only passing loop is at Nakamatsu. Freight services ceased in 1984. The third-sector company took over the former JNR line in 1986. The MLIT tested a DMV railbus on the line in November, 2007. The line is not electrified. It uses a simplified automatic railway signalling system.

Uncompleted extension

After the Takachiho line opened in 1972, construction of the 23 km (14 mi) section to Takamori continued until 1975 when flooding in the 6,500 m (21,300 ft) Takamori tunnel (7 km (4.3 mi) north of Takamori) resulted in work being suspended. Construction was formally abandoned in 1980.

Stations

All stations are within Kumamoto Prefecture.

Name Distance (km) Connections Location
Tateno 立野 0.0 JR Kyushu: Hōhi Main Line Minamiaso
Choyo 長陽 4.7  
Kase 加勢 5.7  
Aso-Shimodajyo † 阿蘇下田城 7.2  
Minamiaso Mizu-no-Umareru-Sato Hakusui-Kōgen 南阿蘇水の生まれる里白水高原 9.1  
Nakamatsu 中松 10.5  
Aso-Shirakawa 阿蘇白川 13.5  
Minamiaso-Shirakawasuigen 南阿蘇白川水源 14.3  
Miharashidai 見晴台 16.1  
Takamori 高森 17.7   Takamori

† The station name of Aso-Shimodajyo has changed three times:

  • 12 February 1928: Aso-Shimoda (阿蘇下田)
  • 1 August 1993: Aso-Shimotajo-Fureai-Onsen (阿蘇下田城ふれあい温泉)
  • July 15 2023: Aso-Shimodajyo (阿蘇下田城)

With 22 kana, Minamiaso Mizu-no-Umareru-Sato Hakusui-Kōgen Station (南阿蘇水の生まれる里白水高原駅|南阿蘇水の生まれる里白水高原]) is tied with Chōjagahamashiosaihamanasukōenmae Station in Ibaraki Prefecture as the longest station name in Japan.[1]

Earthquake closure and reopening

The entire Takamori Line was closed following significant damage to track and infrastructure following the Kumamoto earthquakes in April 2016.[2] A section of the line between Nakamatsu and Takamori resumed service in July of the same year.[3]

However, the section between Tateno and Nakamatsu could not be reopened because of extensive earthquake damage to the track. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism estimated that a complete restoration would cost between 6.5 to 7 billion yen.[2][4] After work was completed to restore the railway, the full line re-opened on 15 July 2023.[5] Major work to reopen the line included the complete rebuilding of the badly damaged No. 1 Shirakawa arch bridge.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 茨城県. "情報016：大野村の村長が名付けた、日本一長～い駅名". 茨城県 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-09-18.
  2. 1 2 "南阿蘇鉄道の全線復旧は「5年程度」「65億円」…国交省が試算". レスポンス（Response.jp） (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-09-18.
  3. ↑ "南阿蘇鉄道が一部再開 全線復旧のめどは立たず：朝日新聞デジタル". 朝日新聞デジタル (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-09-18.
  4. ↑ "南阿蘇鉄道の災害復旧調査結果について" (PDF). Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. April 2017. Retrieved 2019-09-18.
  5. ↑ "南阿蘇鉄道全線運転再開について". Minamiaso Railway. 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  6. ↑ "Quake-wrecked Kumamoto railway finally back in service". The Asahi Shimbun. July 15, 2023.
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