chuo main line

The Chuo Main Line (中央本線), commonly called the Chuo Line, is one of the trunk lines of JR, the intercity rail group in Japan. It runs between Tokyo and Nagoya, although it is the slowest railway connection between the two cities (the Tokaido Shinkansen is much faster). The Tokyo-Shinjuku portion is a vital cross-town rail link, and also the city's best-known suicide location due to the high speed and cramped schedule of the trains. Despite the huge urban areas at either end of the Chuo Line, its central portion is very lightly travelled: the Shiojiri-Nakatsugawa corridor is only served by bi-hourly trains. The eastern portion is run by the East Japan Railway Company, while the western portion is run by the Central Japan Railway Company. The dividing point between the two jurisdictions is Shiojiri Station. The section between Tokyo and Mitaka is grade-separated, with no level crossings. Between Ochanomizu and Mitaka the line has four tracks, two carrying local services (with through connection to the Sobu Line as far as Chiba) and two carrying rapid and long-distance express services. Currently, construction is ongoing between Mitaka and Tachikawa to elevate the tracks and eliminate level crossings; this section of the line is notorious for its level crossings which can be shut for upwards of an hour during rush hour. Further plans have been proposed to add another two tracks as far as Tachikawa; however, this will not be included in the track elevation, due to be completed between 2008-2011.

History

The oldest portion of the Chuo Line is the segment from Nakano Station to Tachikawa Station, which dates back to 1889. The extension westward continued through the turn of the century, with Hachioji Station and eastern Yamanashi prefecture in 1901, and Kofu in 1903. The Nagoya-Shiojiri segment was completed by 1902, and connected to Kofu by 1905. The section between Iidabashi Station and Nakano Station was the first electric railway in Japan.

Chuo Main Line

History

Main stations

See also