Aichi Loop Line
The Aichi Loop Line (愛知環状鉄道線, Aichi Kanjō Tetsudō-sen, "Aichi Loop Railway Line") is a Japanese railway line connecting Okazaki Station in Okazaki and Kōzōji Station in Kasugai, operated by the Aichi Loop Railway (愛知環状鉄道, Aichi Kanjō Tetsudō). The company or the line is abbreviated as Aikan (愛環). This is the only line the company operates. Despite its name, the line is not a true loop, but a north-south line situated east of Nagoya, which can be considered as an unclosed loop (with the JR Tokaido line and Chuo Line serving as the portions of the circle).
| Aichi Loop Line | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Local train at Yakusa Station | |||
| Overview | |||
| Locale | Aichi Prefecture | ||
| Termini | |||
| Stations | 23 | ||
| Service | |||
| Type | Commuter rail | ||
| Operator(s) | Aichi Loop Railway | ||
| Rolling stock | Aichi Loop Railway 2000 series | ||
| History | |||
| Opened | 31 January 1988 | ||
| Technical | |||
| Line length | 45.3 km (28.1 mi) | ||
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) | ||
| Electrification | 1,500 V DC | ||
| Operating speed | 110 km/h (68 mph) | ||
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The Aichi Loop Railway is a third sector company, with shares held by public sector such as Aichi Prefecture, the city of Toyota, and also by private companies. Unlike typical third-sector lines in Japan, the Aichi Loop Line makes a profit, since the line functions as a commuter rail line for nearby Toyota Motor factories.