Chūō Main Line
The Chūō Main Line (Japanese: 中央本線, Hepburn: Chūō-honsen), commonly called the Chūō Line, is one of the major trunk railway lines in Japan. It connects Tokyo and Nagoya, although it is the slowest direct railway connection between the two cities; the coastal Tōkaidō Main Line is slightly faster, and the Tōkaidō Shinkansen is currently the fastest rail link between the cities.
| Chūō Main Line | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| JB JC CO | |||
E353 Series Kaiji on the Chuo Main Line. | |||
| Overview | |||
| Native name | 中央本線 | ||
| Locale | Tokyo, Kanagawa, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Aichi prefectures | ||
| Termini | |||
| Stations | 112 | ||
| Service | |||
| Type | Heavy rail, Passenger/Freight Rail Intercity rail, Regional rail, Commuter rail | ||
| Operator(s) | JR East, JR Central | ||
| History | |||
| Opened | 11 April 1889 (Shinjuku–Tachikawa) | ||
| Technical | |||
| Line length | 424.6 km (263.8 mi) | ||
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) | ||
| Electrification | 1,500 V DC (Overhead lines) | ||
| Operating speed | 130 km/h (81 mph) | ||
| Maximum incline | 2.5% | ||
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The eastern portion, the Chūō East Line (中央東線, Chūō-tōsen), is operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East), while the western portion, the Chūō West Line (中央西線, Chūō-saisen), is operated by the Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central). The dividing point between the two companies is Shiojiri, where express trains from both operators continue to the Shinonoi Line towards the cities of Matsumoto and Nagano. Compared to the huge urban areas at either end of the Chūō Line, its central portion is very lightly traveled; the Shiojiri-Nakatsugawa corridor is only served by one limited express and one local service per hour.
The Chūō Main Line passes through the mountainous center of Honshu. Its highest point (near Fujimi) is about 900 meters (3,000 ft) above sea level and much of the line has a gradient of 25 per mil (2.5% or 1 in 40). Along the Chūō East Line section, peaks of the Akaishi and Kiso as well as Mount Yatsugatake can be seen from trains. The Chūō West Line parallels the old Nakasendō highway (famous for the preserved post towns of Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku) and the steep Kiso Valley.