Kamikōchi Line


The Kamikōchi Line is a railway line operated by the Japanese private railway operator Alpico Kōtsū in the western suburbs of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. The line connects with, the transportation gateway to Kamikōchi and the Hida Mountains.

Stations

All stations on the line are located in the city of Matsumoto, Nagano.
NameJapaneseDistance Transfers
松本0.0Shinonoi Line
Oito Line
西松本0.4
渚1.1
信濃荒井1.9
大庭2.6
下新4.4
北新・松本大学前5.4
新村6.2
三溝7.6
森口8.6
下島9.5
波田11.1
渕東12.7
新島々14.4

Rolling stock

, services on the line are operated using a fleet of four two-car 3000 series stainless steel electric multiple unit trains, which were formerly Keio 3000 series EMUs.
With the raising of the overhead power supply voltage to 1,500 V DC in December 1986, the line's fleet was replaced by four two-car former Tokyu 5000 series EMUs. As these trains did not have air-conditioning, they were replaced between 1999 and 2000 by four two-car former Keio 3000 series EMUs.

History

The line opened on 2 October 1921 as the Chikuma Railway from to, electrified at 600 V DC. The line was extended to , opening on 26 September 1922.
On 27 December 1932, the Chikuma Railway was renamed the Matsumoto Electric Railway.
The overhead line power supply voltage was increased from 600 V DC to 750 V DC in 1957, and further raised to 1,500 V DC in December 1986.
Freight services were discontinued from 1 December 1973.
In September 1983, landslides caused by Typhoon Forrest resulted in suspension of services on the line beyond Shinshimashima to Shimashima. This section was formally closed on 31 December 1984.
On 1 April 2011, following a merger with local bus operators, the operating company was renamed Alpico Kōtsū.