The Kitakinki (北近畿) was a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in Japan from 1986 until March 2011, which ran from Shin-Osaka to Kinosaki Onsen in Hyōgo Prefecture.[1]
183 series EMU on a Kitakinki service, September 2007 | |
Overview | |
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Service type | Limited express |
First service | 1986 |
Last service | 2011 |
Current operator(s) | JR West |
Route | |
Line(s) used | Tokaido Main Line, Fukuchiyama Line, Sanin Main Line |
Technical | |
Rolling stock | 183 series EMU |
Operating speed | 120 km/h (75 mph)[1] (max.) |
As of January 2011, 11 down services (Kitakinki 1–21) from Shin-Osaka and 10 up services (Kitakinki 2–26) to Shin-Osaka ran daily, with the journey time from Shin-Osaka to Kinosaki Onsen taking approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.[2]
Kitakinki services stopped at the following stations. (Stations in parentheses were not served by all trains.)[2]
Shin-Osaka - Amagasaki - Takarazuka - Sanda - (Shin-Sanda) - (Aino) - Sasayamaguchi - (Tanikawa) - Kaibara - Isō - (Kuroi) - Fukuchiyama - (Wadayama) - (Yōka) - (Ebara) - (Toyooka) - (Kinosaki Onsen)
The Kitakinki service was introduced on 1 November 1986.[1] The new services used 4- and 6-car DC 183-800 series electric multiple units converted from former dual-voltage (AC/DC) 485 series EMUs. These received a thin crimson line below the window band to signify the improved passenger accommodation.[3]
Services used 4- or 7-car 183 series formations.[1]
From 18 March 2007, all cars were made non-smoking.[4]
From 12 March 2011, Kitakinki services were renamed Kounotori, coinciding with the introduction of new 287 series EMUs.[5]
Named trains of West Japan Railway Company | ||
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Shinkansen | ![]() | |
Limited express (daytime) |
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Limited express (overnight) |
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Limited express (commuter) |
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Rapid | ||
Other |
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Discontinued |
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