We continue this month looking at scenes which will
become history as a result of next month's 'Daiya Kaisei'
(Timetable Changes). The inauguration of the
Hokuriku Shinkansen between Nagano & Kanazawa
will have significant knock-on effects on the Hokuriku
Main Line and the Shin'etsu Main Line, both of which
will have sectors spun off to new 3rd sector operators.
A Hokuetsu Express 681 series on a Hakutaka service
passing Uozu Station on the Hokuriku Main Line on
26/04/2014. The current narrow gauge Ltd Express
Hakutaka service between Echigo-Yuzawa & Kanazawa
will cease and the name Hakutaka will be applied to
semi-fast Hokuriku Shinkansen services from March.
Photo: Kiyoshi Jinno
A JR West 413 series in an all blue livery awaiting
departure on a local service from Takaoka on 01/08/2014.
Following the March changes, JR West will no longer operate
local services between Kanazawa & Naoetsu. 3 3rd sector
railway companies have been formed with boundaries
aligning roughly to the prefecural boundaries of Ishikawa,
Toyama & Niigata which will run these services into the
future. Photo: Kiyoshi Jinno.
Also at Takaoka, 3 years previously, the northbound
Twilight Express paused on 02/06/2011. While most of
the attention has been placed on the Hokutosei's retirement
as the last of the real Blue Trains in Japan, this service will
also be cancelled in the March timetable changes.
Photo: Anthony Leith
