Chichibu Main Line

The Chichibu Main Line(秩父本線, Chichibu-honsen) is a railway line in Japan, owned by the private railway operator Chichibu Railway, linking Hanyū and Mitsumineguchi, both in Saitama Prefecture.

Stations

Rolling stock

As of 1 April 2016[update], the Chichibu Railway operates the following fleet of rolling stock on the line.

• 5000 series 3-car EMUs x3 (formerly Toei 6000 series) (since 1999)
• 6000 series 3-car EMUs x3 (formerly Seibu 101 series) (since March 2006)
• 7000 series 3-car EMUs x2 (formerly Tokyu 8500 series) (since March 2009)
• 7500 series 3-car EMUs x7 (formerly Tokyu 8090 series) (since March 2010)
• 7800 series 2-car EMUs x4 (formerly Tokyu 8090 series) (since 16 March 2013)
• Class C58 steam locomotive (No. C58 363 for Paleo Express)
• Four 12 series passenger coaches for Paleo Express (OHaFu 12-101 and 102, OHa 12-111 and 112)
• DeKi 100 electric locomotives (x6)
• DeKi 200 electric locomotive (x1)
• DeKi 300 electric locomotives (x3)
• DeKi 500 electric locomotives (x7)

• 5000 series EMU set 5003 in June 2011
• A 6000 series EMU on a Chichibuji express service
• 7000 series EMU set 7001 in October 2018
• 7500 series EMU set 7504 in October 2018
• 7800 series EMU set 7801 in June 2013
• SL Paleo Express
• DeKi 102
• DeKi 201
• DeKi 301
• DeKi 507

Rolling stock previously used

• 300 series 2-car EMUs (from 1959 until October 1992)
• 500 series 2-car EMUs (from 1957 until March 1992)
• 800 series 2-car EMUs (formerly Odakyu 1800 series) (from 1979 until 1990)
• 1000 series 3-car EMUs (formerly JNR 101 series) (from 1986 until March 2014)
• 2000 series 4-car EMUs (formerly Tokyu 7000 series) (from 1991 until 2000)
• 3000 series 3-car EMUs x3 (formerly JR East 165 series) (from 1992 until December 2006)
• 43 series passenger coaches (for Paleo Express)

• A 300 series EMU in 1989
• A 500 series EMU in 1984
• An 800 series EMU in 1989
• A 1000 series EMU in 2008
• A 2000 series EMU in 1992
• A 3000 series EMU in 2006

History

The Jōbu Railway(上武鉄道) opened the section between Kumagaya and Yorii on 7 October 1901 operated by the use of steam haulage. The line was extended in stages, reaching Chichibu in 1914. The line was electrified at 1,200 V DC on 15 March 1918. On 1 August 1922, the Chichibu Railway acquired the Hokubu Railway(北武鉄道) operating between Hanyū and Kumagaya. The line reached Mitsumineguchi in 1930.

From 1 February 1952, The line voltage was raised to 1,500 V DC.

Former connecting lines

• Kumagaya Station: The Tobu Kumagaya Line operated between 1943 and 1983.

External links

• (in Japanese)