Asakaze

This article is about the Japanese train. For the Panamanian cargo ship, see MV Asakaze. For Japanese ship, see Japanese destroyer Asakaze.

Asakaze

Asakaze service hauled by an EF66 in 1988
Overview
Service type	Blue Train Limited express
First service	1956
Last service	2005
Current operator(s)	JR West
Route
Line(s) used	Tokaido Main Line, Sanyo Main Line
Technical
Rolling stock	24 + 14 series sleeper coaches
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	1,500 V DC

The Asakaze (あさかぜ) was a limited express sleeper train service operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later by West Japan Railway Company (JR West), which ran from Tokyo to Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.

The Asakaze was discontinued from the start of the revised timetable on 1 March 2005.

Rolling stock

The train was formed of 14 and 24 series sleeping cars hauled by an EF66 electric locomotive between Tokyo and Shimonoseki.

• 
  Asakaze service at Hakata Station, hauled by EF81-400 locomotive, July 1991
• 
  Down Asakaze service hauled by EF66 46, February 2003

History

The Asakaze service commenced on 19 November 1956, operating between Tokyo and Hakata. In October 1970, Tokyo to Shimonoseki Asakaze services were also introduced, and the Tokyo to Hakata services were discontinued in December 1994.

The remaining Asakaze services were discontinued in 2005, with the final runs occurring on 28 February.

See also

• List of named passenger trains of Japan
• Blue Train (Japan)