Sarobetsu (train)
{{short description|Japanese limited express train service}}
{{Update|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Sarobetsu
| image = JR Hokkaido DC183.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| caption = KiHa 183 series DMU on a Sarobetsu service, July 2006
| type = Limited express
| first = 1 July 1992
| status = Operational
| start = Asahikawa
| stops = 11
| end = Wakkanai
| last =
| operator = JR Hokkaido
| frequency = 2 return trips daily
| journeytime = 3 hours 45 minutes approx
| distance = {{cvt|259.4|km}}
| class = Standard + Green
| access = Yes
| catering = None
| entertainment = None
| observation = None
| sleeping = None
| otherfacilities = Toilets
| line_used = Sōya Main Line
| stock = KiHa 261 series DMU
| speed = {{cvt|120|km/h}}
| owners = JR Hokkaido
| el = Diesel
}}
The {{Nihongo|Sarobetsu|サロベツ}} is a limited express train service between Asahikawa and Wakkanai in Hokkaido, Japan, which is operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). Two trains per day operate in each direction, with the journey taking approximately 3 hours 45 minutes.
Stations
Trains stop at the following stations:
{{STN|Asahikawa|x}} - {{STN|Wassamu|x}} - {{STN|Shibetsu|x}} - {{STN|Nayoro|x}} - {{STN|Bifuka|x}} - {{STN|Otoineppu|x}} - {{STN|Teshio-Nakagawa|x}} - {{STN|Horonobe|x}} - {{STN|Toyotomi|x}} - {{STN|Minami-Wakkanai|x}} - {{STN|Wakkanai|x}}
Rolling stock
File:JR hokkaido KI HA 183 Sarobetsu.JPG
Services are normally formed of 4-car KiHa 261 series DMUs, with Car No. 1 at the Wakkanai end and Car No. 4 at the Asahikawa end. Car No. 1 consists of both ordinary-class seats and the Green Car, while the other cars are ordinary-class cars. All seats are non-smoking. Up until 2007, an additional {{Nihongo|"Japanese-style seating car"|お座敷車|Ozashikisha}} was attached to the train during busy seasons."JR新幹線&特急列車ファイル" (JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File), published 2008 by Kōtsū Shimbun
| class="wikitable" |
| Car No.
!colspan="2" | 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 |
|---|
| Class || style="background: #F5FFF5" | Green car
| style="background: #FFFAF5"| Reserved | style="background: #FFFAF5"| Reserved | style="background: #FFFAF5"| Reserved | Non-reserved |
| Facilities
| colspan=2 style="background: #FFFAF5"| || style="background: #FFFAF5"| Toilets || style="background: #FFFAF5"| Wheelchair-accessible toilet || |
History
One of the Sōya services changed its name to Sarobetsu on July 1, 1992. At that time both Sōya and Sarobetsu ran between {{STN|Sapporo|x}} and {{STN|Wakkanai|x}}. However, the Sarobetsu service had no green cars, in contrast to Sōya, and stopped at these stations:
{{STN|Sapporo|x}} - {{STN|Iwamizawa|x}} - {{STN|Bibai|x}} - {{STN|Sunagawa|x}} - {{STN|Takikawa|x}} - {{STN|Fukagawa|x}} - {{STN|Asahikawa|x}} - {{STN|Wassamu|x}} - {{STN|Shibetsu|x}} - {{STN|Nayoro|x}} - {{STN|Bifuka|x}} - {{STN|Otoineppu|x}} - {{STN|Teshio-Nakagawa|x}} - {{STN|Horonobe|x}} - {{STN|Toyotomi|x}} - {{STN|Minami-Wakkanai|x}} - {{STN|Wakkanai|x}}
The Sarobetsu service was suspended, as the KiHa 183 series, which was the same type of train used for the service at that time, was involved in a fire on the Hakodate Main Line in July 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.city.wakkanai.hokkaido.jp/kurashi/kotsu/jrsarobetu.html|title=JR宗谷本線 特急サロベツ 運休のご案内|author=|publisher=Wakkanai City website|language=Japanese|accessdate=February 14, 2014|archive-date=November 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109150156/https://www.city.wakkanai.hokkaido.jp/kurashi/kotsu/jrsarobetu.html|url-status=live}} The service was supposed to resume the following month, but was delayed due to the accident investigation and resulting preventative measures.{{cite web|url=http://www.city.wakkanai.hokkaido.jp/shicho/shiseihoshin/teirigyoseihokoku/h25_9.html|script-title=ja:平成25年 第3回定例会（9月） 一般行政報告|author=|publisher=Wakkanai City website|language=Japanese|accessdate=February 14, 2014|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222045050/http://www.city.wakkanai.hokkaido.jp/shicho/shiseihoshin/teirigyoseihokoku/h25_9.html|url-status=live}} The suspension ended on March 31, 2014. In the meantime, a temporary rapid train service replaced the Sarobetsu.{{cite web|url=http://www.city.wakkanai.hokkaido.jp/files/00006400/00006480/20131101171238.pdf|script-title=ja:「臨時快速」運行（11/1～）に伴うお知らせについて|author=|publisher=Wakkanai City website|language=Japanese|accessdate=February 14, 2014|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222045055/http://www.city.wakkanai.hokkaido.jp/files/00006400/00006480/20131101171238.pdf|url-status=live}}
From the start of the revised timetable of 4 March 2017, the Sarobetsu service was re-routed to operate between Asahikawa and Wakkanai, when the Lilac was introduced between Sapporo and Asahikawa. Also, the KiHa 261 series sets were used to replace the ageing KiHa 183 series sets.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/train/tr011_01.html Sarobetsu information on JR Hokkaido official website] {{in lang|ja}}
{{Hokkaidō transit}}
Category:Hokkaido Railway Company
Category:Named passenger trains of Japan
Category:Railway services introduced in 1992