Taisetsu Explained

The is a limited express service operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) between and in Hokkaido via the Sekihoku Main Line since 4 March 2017. The Taisetsu train service name was also formerly used for express services operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later by JR Hokkaido from June 1947 until March 1992.

Service outline

, two return services operate daily between and on the Sekihoku Main Line, supplementing the Okhotsk limited express services operating between and Abashiri.^[1]

Stops

Trains stop at the following stations:

- - - - - - - - - -

Stations in brackets are stations where not all trains stop at.

• Taisetsu no. 2 does not stop at Shirataki.
• Taisetsu no. 4 does not stop at Maruseppu.

Rolling stock

As of 18 March 2023, Taisetsu services are normally formed of 3-car KiHa 283 series diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains, with monoclass passenger accommodation.^[2]

Former

Until 17 March 2023,^[3] services were formed of 4-car KiHa 183 series diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains as shown below.^[4] All cars were no-smoking.^[4]

Car No.	1	2		3		4
Accommodation	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Reserved	Reserved	Green	Reserved
Facilities		Toilet		Toilet

History

1947–1963

The train service that was later to become the Taisetsu was first introduced on 29 June 1947 as an unnamed steam-hauled express service operating between and via and .^[5] The train received the name Taisetsu from 1 April 1951.^[5]

This service ran until 31 May 1963, after which it was replaced by the Lilac service.^[6]

1963–1992

From 1 June 1963, the Taisetsu service operated as an express between Sapporo and Abashiri, via Asahikawa.^[6] This service was discontinued from the start of the revised timetable on 14 March 1992.^[6]

2017–

The Good Taisetsu name was revived from 4 March 2017 as a limited express service operating between and on the Sekihoku Main Line.^[7]

References

This article incorporates material from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia.

Notes and References

1. Web site: http://railf.jp/news/2017/03/05/205000.html. ja: 石北本線で特急“大雪”の運転開始 . Limited express Taisetsu enters service on Sekihoku Main Line . 5 March 2017. Japan Railfan Magazine Online. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20170306034532/http://railf.jp/news/2017/03/05/205000.html . 6 March 2017. live . 6 March 2017.
2. Web site: 特急“オホーツク”・“大雪”，キハ283系による運転に . Limited express "Okhotsk" and "Taisetsu" operated by KiHa 283 series . Japan Railfan Magazine Online . Koyusha Co., Ltd. . 30 August 2024 . Japan . Japanese . 18 March 2023.
3. Web site: JR北海道，3月18日にダイヤ改正を実施 〜特急“オホーツク”・“大雪”のすべてをキハ283系化 . JR Hokkaido implements timetable revision on March 18th - All "Okhotsk" and "Taisetsu" limited express services to be changed to KiHa 283 series . Japan Railfan Magazine Online . Koyusha Co., Ltd. . 30 August 2024 . Japan . Japanese . 16 December 2022.
4. Web site: JR Hokkaido Train Guide . 2017. Hokkaido Railway Company. Japan. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20170306035616/http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/train/tr032_03.html . 6 March 2017. live . 6 March 2017.
5. Book: Teramoto, Mitsuteru . ja: 国鉄・ＪＲ列車名大辞典 . JNR & JR Train Name Encyclopedia . Chuoshoin Publishing Co., Ltd. . 23 July 2001 . Tokyo, Japan . ja . 324–327 . 4-88732-093-0.
6. Book: ja: 列車名鑑1995 . Train Name Directory 1995. Railway Journal. August 1995 . Japan. ja . 127.
7. Web site: http://www.minpo.jp/globalnews/detail/2017030401001583 . ja: 特急「大雪」２５年ぶり復活 . Limited express Taisetsu revived for first time in 25 years . 4 March 2017. Fukushima Minpo. Fukushima-Minpo Co., Ltd. . Japan. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20170306032517/http://www.minpo.jp/globalnews/detail/2017030401001583 . 6 March 2017. live . 6 March 2017.