Izumo (train)
{{Short description|Japanese overnight sleeper train service}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Izumo
| image = BLUE TRAIN IZUMO.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| caption = An Izumo service at Tokyo Station, December 1997
| type = Limited express
| status = Discontinued
| locale = Japan
| predecessor =
| first = 29 June 1947 (Semi express)
19 November 1956 (Express)
15 March 1972 (Limited express)
| last = 18 March 2006
| successor = Sunrise Izumo
| operator = JR West
| formeroperator = JNR
| ridership =
| start = {{STN|Tokyo|x}}
| stops =
| end = {{STN|Hamada|x}}
| distance = {{Convert|1042|km|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 15 hours 11 minutes (1998)
| frequency = 2 return workings daily
| trainnumber =
| line_used =
| class =
| access =
| seating =
| sleeping =
| catering =
| entertainment =
| baggage =
| otherfacilities =
| stock = 14 series, 24/25 series sleeping cars
| gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}}
| el = 1,500 V DC
| speed =
| owners =
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}}
The {{nihongo|Izumo|出雲}} was a limited express overnight sleeping car train service in Japan operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later by West Japan Railway Company (JR West), which ran from {{STN|Tokyo|x}} to {{STN|Izumoshi|x}} and {{STN|Hamada|x}} in Shimane Prefecture until March 2006.{{cite book| last = Teramoto | first = Mitsuteru | title = 国鉄・ＪＲ列車名大辞典 |trans-title=JNR & JR Train Name Encyclopedia| publisher = Chuoshoin Publishing Co., Ltd. | date = July 2001 | location = Tokyo, Japan | pages =96–98| isbn = 4-88732-093-0}}{{cite book |title = 最新特急大カタログ |trans-title=Modern Limited Express Catalogue | publisher = JTB | date = November 1992 | location = Japan | page = 111}}
Rolling stock
In its latter years, the Izumo service was operated using JR East 24/25 series sleeping cars based at Oku Depot in Tokyo. Services were however operated by JR West staff.
File:JR West dd51 1189 izumo okayama.jpg|The Izumo 1 service at Okayama hauled by a pair of DD51 diesel locomotives, 1993
File:DD51 1187 Izumo Izumoshi 20060121.jpg|The Izumo service at Izumoshi, hauled by DD51 1187, January 2006
File:EF65 1109 Izumo Kyoto 20060305.jpg|EF65 1109 coupling onto the Izumo service at Kyoto Station, March 2006
File:BLUE TRAIN IZUMO 2.jpg|Rear end of the Izumo 4 service at Tokyo Station, December 1997
History
The Izumo service (written in hiragana as {{Nihongo2|いずも}}) commenced on 29 June 1947, as a "semi-express" service operating between {{STN|Osaka|x}} and Taisha Station (now closed).{{cite book | title = 列車名鑑1995 |trans-title=Train Name Directory 1995| publisher = Railway Journal| date = August 1995 | location = Japan| page = 123}} From 19 November 1956, this was upgraded to become an "express" service (written in kanji as {{Nihongo2|出雲}}) operating between {{STN|Tokyo|x}} and {{STN|Hamada|x}}. From 15 March 1972, the train was upgraded to become a "limited express" service.
From 10 July 1998, one pair of Izumo services was replaced by new 285 series electric multiple unit trains running as the Sunrise Izumo together with the Sunrise Seto via {{STN|Okayama|x}}.{{cite book | title = こだわりの新幹線＆特急列車ガイド |trans-title=In-depth Shinkansen & Limited Express Guide| publisher = Ikaros Publishing| date = August 2000 | location = Japan| page = 195| isbn = 4-87149-284-2}} The remaining pair of services followed the original route, travelling over the Sanin Main Line west of {{STN|Kyoto|x}}, via {{STN|Fukuchiyama|x}}.
The last remaining Izumo services were withdrawn from the start of the revised timetable on 18 March 2006.{{cite magazine| title = JR車両ファイル2006|trans-title=JR Rolling Stock File 2006|magazine=Japan Railfan Magazine | volume = 46| issue = 543| page =30| publisher = Koyusha Co., Ltd.| location = Japan |language= ja| date = July 2006}}
See also
References
{{commons category|Izumo (train)}}
{{reflist}}
{{JR West trains}}
Category:West Japan Railway Company
Category:Named passenger trains of Japan
Category:Night trains of Japan
Category:Railway services introduced in 1947
Category:Railway services discontinued in 2006