Sōya Main Line

The Sōya Main Line (宗谷本線, Sōya-honsen) is a Japanese railway line operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) in Hokkaido. The line connects Asahikawa Station in Asahikawa and Wakkanai Station in Wakkanai, and is the northernmost railway line in Japan. The name comes from Sōya Subprefecture.

Sōya Main Line
Super Sōya limited express train in March 2006. The name was changed to Sōya in 2017.
Overview
Native name宗谷本線
StatusIn operation
OwnerJR Hokkaido
LocaleHokkaido
Termini
Stations41
Service
TypeHeavy rail
Operator(s)JR Hokkaido
Rolling stockKiHa 261 series DMU, KiHa 54 series DMU, KiHa 40 series DMU
History
Opened1898
Technical
Line length259.4 km (161.2 mi)
Number of tracksDouble (Asahikawa to Kita-Asahikawa)
Single (the rest)
CharacterRural
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
ElectrificationAC 20 KV 50 Hz overhead lines
(Asahikawa - Kita-Asahikawa, for freight trains only, passenger trains remain using DMU)
Operating speed120 km/h (75 mph) (Asahikawa - Nayoro)
95 km/h (59 mph) (Nayoro - Wakkanai)
Route map

On 19 November 2016, JR Hokkaido's president announced plans to rationalise the network by up to 1,237 km, or ~50% of the current network, including proposed conversion of the Nayoro - Wakkanai section of the Soya Line to Third Sector operation, but if local governments are not agreeable, the section will face closure.

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