Hiroshima - [WTM] Railway & Travel News

Call me “Urara”! New JR trains in Okayama – 1200 suggestions for the nickname contest

February 6, 2023February 4, 2023 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR West has decided on a nickname for the new suburban trains “227 series” to be introduced in the Okayama & Bingo area from 2023 that was solicited from the general public.

Six JR companies will revise timetables – Higher speed limit makes Shinkansen faster

December 29, 2022December 28, 2022 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR East E7 series operated on the Joetsu/Hokuriku Shinkansen (PhotoNetwork/Photo AC)

The six JR Group passenger railway companies will revise their timetables on March 18, 2023 (Sat), speeding up and increasing the number of trains on the Shinkansen, opening new stations on conventional lines, and improving transportation through the progress of double-tracking.

Japan finally relaxed COVID-19 border measures – No testing, but vaccination required

October 17, 2022November 8, 2022 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

In order to resume international traffic of people, the Japanese government has relaxed border measures related to COVID-19 and started operation from Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

“Business Booth” allows meeting on the train – Trial on Tokaido & San-yo Shinkansen

April 15, 2022April 13, 2022 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR Central and JR West will introduce the “business booth” on a trial basis inside the Tokaido & San-yo Shinkansen to further enhance the telework environment before and after moving by trains.

Disrupted due to heavy snow – Kisuki Line between Izumo-Yokota and Bingo-Ochiai

December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR West Kiha 120 type diesel car waiting for departure at Izumo-Sakane Station on the Kisuki Line where switchback is performed (image) ©Katsumi

JR West has announced that they will suspend operation until the further notice due to heavy snow between Izumo-Yokota Station and Bingo-Ochiai Station on the Kisuki Line.

“WEST EXPRESS GINGA” – New long-distance train starts running to the San-yo area

December 18, 2020December 17, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

Kanmon Straits and Kanmon Bridge seen from the Karato Market in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi ©Katsumi

JR West’s new long-distance train “WEST EXPRESS Ginga” operates a daytime route connecting the Kansai and San-yo areas from December 2020 to March 2021.

Resumed operation of JR Geibi Line between Miyoshi and Shimo-fukawa (updated on August 15, 2020)

August 15, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR West restarted train operation of Geibi Line (芸備線) on Saturday, August 15, 2020 between Miyoshi Station (三次, Hiroshima) and Shimo-fukawa Station (下深川,Hiroshima), which has been disrupted due to the effects of the heavy rain disaster in July, 2020. In addition, the train operation of JR Fukuen Line (福塩線) was restarted on Thursday, August 13, 2020 between Fuchū Station (府中, Hiroshima) and Shiomachi Station (塩町,Hiroshima), which has been disrupted by the same reason.

Operation resumed between Tōjō and Bingo-ochiai stations on JR Geibi Line

April 24, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR Geibi Line (芸備線) between Tōjō (東城) and Bingo-ochiai (備後落合) stations, which had been suspended due to a derailment accident, resumed operation from the first train on April 24, 2020. On March 9, an accident happened that a train climbed up on the earth and sand that flowed into the track between Tōjō and Bingo-yawata (備後八幡) stations, so they were suspending operation to remove the vehicle and perform restoration work.