E751 series EMU on a Super Hatsukari service, 2002
|
|
Overview | |
---|---|
Service type | Limited express |
Status | Discontinued |
Locale | Tohoku region, Japan |
First service | 1 October 1958 (Hatsukari) 18 March 2000 (Super Hatsukari) |
Last service | 30 November 2002 |
Successor | Super Hakuchō |
Current operator(s) | JR East |
Former operator(s) | JNR |
Route | |
Start | Morioka |
End | Hakodate |
Line used | Tsugaru-Kaikyo Line |
Technical | |
485 series, E751 series EMUs | |
Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
Electrification | 20 kV AC, 50 Hz overhead |
Operating speed | 140 km/h (85 mph) |
The Hatsukari (はつかり?) and Super Hatsukari (スーパーはつかり?) were limited express train services in Japan operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later East Japan Railway Company (JR East) from 1958 until 2002.
The Hatsukari was first introduced on 1 October 1958 as a long-distance steam-hauled limited express service operating between Ueno in Tokyo and Aomori via the Jōban Line. From 1960, new KiHa 81 series diesel multiple units were introduced on the service, reducing the journey time to 10 hours 25 minutes. From 1 October 1968, the train was routed via the more direct Tōhoku Main Line using 583 series electric multiple units.
From 15 November 1982, with the opening of the Tōhoku Shinkansen to Morioka, the Hatsukari service was truncated to operate between Morioka and Aomori. This was extended to operate to Hakodate in Hokkaido from 13 March 1988, following the opening of the undersea Seikan Tunnel. The maximum speed was raised to 140 km/h (85 mph) through the Seikan Tunnel from 16 March 1991.