As a train nerd, I don’t get why some services are labelled the Ueno-Tokyo line while other services are labeled Tokaido line-through service. It’s a separate service on JR maps, but it literally just runs on other lines?
Wikipedia tells me it’s just the section that was completed in 2015, but that contradicts the many services far outside Ueno and Tokyo that are also part of this line. There are also services that run parallel to the “Ueno-Tokyo line” but are through-services from the Tokaido line to the Utsunomiya/Takasaki lines.
Can anyone who understands more about Japanese railway explain what’s going on?
2 comments
Ueno-Tokyo line is a through-service that has been opened in 2015 that has allowed JR Takasaki, JR Utsunomiya and through-services to JR Tokaido Main line, as well as extending Tohoku shinkansen to Tokyo station and JR Joban line to Shinagawa station. Previously Tokaido Main line services terminated at Tokyo station and JR Takasaki, JR Utsunomiya and JR Joban line services terminated at Ueno station.
Ueno-Tokyo line start in Omiya station and connect with old JR Tokaido rapid services at Tokyo station, following it to Ofuna.
East side of Tokyo corridor consists currently of the following services:
* JR Yamanote line
* JR Keihin-Tohoku line (the only commuter N-S through-line before 2015)
* JR Ueno-Tokyo line (rapid commuter through-line service on N-S axis into JR Tokaido main line rapid service)
* JR Joban line (from Shinagawa into old JR Joban line)
* JR Yokosuka line (through-service from JR Yokosuka line to JR Sobu line)
JR Ueno-Tokyo demarkation means that train is using Ueno-Tokyo line tracks at stops at far fewer stations than Keihin-Tohoku line. JR Tokaido demarkation means that it follows JR Tokaido line from Tokyo station onwards.
not sure if you are aware of r/japanrail ?