Hamanasu (train)

{{Infobox rail service

| name = Hamanasu

| image = ED79 4 Hamanasu 20130622.jpg

| image_width = 300px

| caption = A Hamanasu service in June 2013 headed by a Class ED79 electric locomotive

| type = Express

| status = Discontinued

| locale = Japan

| predecessor =

| first = {{Plainlist|

June 1955 (Semi Express)
March 1988 (Overnight Express)

}}

| last = March 2016

| successor =

| operator =

| formeroperator= {{Plainlist|

{{Colorbull|Black}} JNR
{{Colorbull|LawnGreen}} JR Hokkaido

}}

| ridership =

| start = {{STN|Aomori|x}}

| stops =

| end = {{STN|Sapporo|x}}

| distance = Approx. 480 km

| journeytime = Approx. 7 hours 30 minutes

| frequency = 1 return service daily

| trainnumber =

| class =

| access =

| seating = 2+2 reclining seating

| sleeping = Compartments/carpeted floor accommodation

| observation =

| catering = None

| stock = 14/24 series coaches

| gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}}

| el = 20 kV AC / diesel

| speed = {{Convert|110|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}

| owners =

| routenumber =

| map =

| map_state =

}}

The {{nihongo|Hamanasu|はまなす}} was an overnight express train service in Japan operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), which ran from {{STN|Aomori|x}} to {{STN|Sapporo|x}} via the Tsugaru Line, Kaikyō Line, Esashi Line, Hakodate Main Line, Muroran Main Line, and Chitose Line.{{cite book | script-title=ja:JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル|trans-title=JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File| publisher = Kotsu Shimbun | year = 2008 | location = Japan | isbn = 978-4-330-00608-6}} The journey took approximately seven and a half hours."JR Timetable" October 2009 issue Following the withdrawal of the Ginga overnight express service between Tokyo and Osaka in 2008, the Hamanasu became the only locomotive-hauled express service in Japan. The service was discontinued in March 2016 and some cars were donated to the State Railway of Thailand and refurbished as excursion train named Royal Blossom.

Rolling stock

The train was formed of 14 and 24 series seating cars and sleeping cars based at JR Hokkaido's Sapporo Depot, typically consisting of 7 cars. The train was hauled by a JR Hokkaido Hakodate-based Class ED79 AC electric locomotive between Aomori and Hakodate, and by a Hakodate-based Class DD51 diesel locomotive between Hakodate and Sapporo.

File:Hamanasu.jpg|A Hamanasu service at Sapporo Station in January 2005, headed by a Class DD51 diesel locomotive

File:Hamanasu-aomori.jpg|A Hamanasu service at Aomori Station in January 2005, headed by a Class ED79 locomotive

File:Hamanasu-coach.jpg|The rear of a Hamanasu service at Aomori Station in March 2007

The typical formation in 2010 was as follows.{{cite magazine| last = Kato| first = Masaru| script-title=ja: 孤高の客車急行"はまなす"|trans-title=The sole loco-hauled express - "Hamanasu"|magazine=Japan Railfan Magazine | volume = 51| issue = 598|pages=32–37| publisher = Koyusha Co., Ltd.| location = Japan | date = February 2011}}

SuHaNeFu 14-550 (Sleeping car with generator)
OHaNe 24-500 (Sleeping car)
SuHaFu 14-550 (Non-reserved seating car with generator)
OHa 14-500 (Reserved "Nobinobi Carpet" sleeping car)
OHa 14-500 (Reserved "Dream car" seating car)
OHa 14-500 (Reserved "Dream car" seating car)
SuHaFu 14-500 (Non-reserved seating car with generator)

The "Dream cars" used reclining seats from former Green cars.

=Interior=

==Sleeping car accommodation==

File:.JR Hokkaido night train express"Hamanasu" B sleeping-car.JPG|Sleeping car interior, January 2009

File:Hamanasu Carpet Car Aomori 20040717.jpeg|"Nobinobi Carpet" car interior, July 2004

File:JR Hokkaido night train express"Hamanasu""Carpet-car" (second floor seat).JPG|"Nobinobi Carpet" car interior (upper level)

==Seating car accommodation==

File:JR Hokkaido night train express"Hamanasu"Reserved seat.JPG|Reserved seating

File:JR Hokkaido night train express"Hamanasu"Unreserved seat.JPG|Non-reserved seating

History

The Hamanasu was introduced on 1 June 1955 as a semi-express operating between Hakodate and Abashiri via Sapporo. From 1 October 1961, this was upgraded to Express status as a service operating between Sapporo and Abashiri. This operated until 30 September 1968, when the services were integrated with the {{Nihongo|Taisetsu|大雪}} express services.{{cite book | script-title=ja: 列車名鑑1995 |trans-title=Train Name Directory 1995| publisher = Railway Journal| date = August 1995 | location = Japan}}

The Hamanasu name was revived from 13 March 1988 for use on overnight express services between Aomori and Sapporo following the opening of the Seikan Tunnel.{{cite journal| last = Kekke| first = Yoshiyuki| script-title=ja:現役急行列車ガイド|trans-title=Guide to Express Trains Still in Operation| journal = Jtrain | volume = 13|pages=12–15| publisher = Ikaros Publications| location = Japan | date = Spring 2004}} Initially, the train consisted of five 14 series seating cars only (with two designated as reserved seating cars), but from July 1991, two sleeping cars were included in the formation. From March 1997, a "Nobinobi Carpet" sleeping car was also added.

=Withdrawal=

The last Hamanasu services were discontinued in March 2016 ahead of the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen high-speed line. The last up service departed from Sapporo Station on 20 March 2016, and the last down service departed from Aomori on 21 March, arriving at Sapporo on 22 March.{{cite web |url= http://www.sankei.com/photo/photojournal/news/160321/jnl1603210003-n1.html|script-title=ja: 寝台急行「はまなす」最後の旅札幌発、青森行き|trans-title=Last journey on the "Hamanasu" sleeping car express from Sapporo to Aomori|date= 21 March 2016|work= Sankei Photo Journal|publisher= The Sankei Shimbun & Sankei Digital |location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 22 March 2016}}

Reasons cited by JR Hokkaido for discontinuing the service included (1) the locomotives used to haul the train through the Seikan Tunnel not being able to operate through the tunnel after March 2016, (2) the lack of funds to purchase new locomotives, (3) the difficulties in securing paths through the tunnel at night due to inspections of the shinkansen infrastructure, and (4) aging rolling stock dating from 40 years ago.{{cite web |url= http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20150906k0000e040120000c.html|script-title=ja: 夜行急行：「はまなす」廃止へ北海道新幹線や老朽化で|trans-title=Overnight express "Hamanasu" to be scrapped - Due to Hokkaido Shinkansen and ageing stock|date= 6 September 2015|work= Mainichi Shimbun|publisher= The Mainichi Newspapers|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150906020623/http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20150906k0000e040120000c.html|archive-date=6 September 2015 |access-date= 9 October 2015}}

= New JR Hokkaido Hamanasu Tourist Train =

JR Hokkaido has revived the Hamanasu name giving it to one of two multi-use Series 5000 tourist trains. These trains, remodelled Series 261 DMU's, are expected to replace the Crystal Express and the North Rainbow Express.{{Cite web|title=JR Hokkaido unveils the first of two new tourist trains {{!}} TrainReview|url=https://trainreview.com/news/jr-hokkaido-unveils-the-first-of-two-multi-purpose-tourist-trains|access-date=2020-09-02|website=trainreview.com}}