The Usui Pass(JR East/Shinetsu-Line)

EF63 Electric Locomotives

The Usui pass has a sharp slant (Yokokawa Station - Karuizawa Station), so electric cars which pass this section need be assisted by two electric locomotives. EF63 electric locomotives are made for this section.
This picture is EF63 comming to Yokokawa Station.

EF63 and Type115 electric cars

This picture is EF63 and Type115 electric cars.
At Yokokawa station and Karuizawa station , EF63 need be coupled and uncoupled to the train , so all trains stops for 5-10 minutes. Many passengers bought [Tougeno-Kamameshi] which is a favorite railroad box lunch.

EF63 and Type115 are coupling.

EF63 and Type115 are coupling.
EF63 has two joints which are different each other. One is used for fraight cars and other locomotives and the other is used for electric cars. Main electric cars which pass this section are Type115 , Type169 and Type189. Type169 are express and Type189 are limited express. These type has air cushion because in this section , the height of cars need to be more small. So in this section , air are uncorked.

The marshaling yard in Karuizawa station

The marshaling yard in Karuizawa station
Now this section is discontinued and Shinetsu line stops at Yokokawa Staion. Karuizawa Station and the line is taked over by Shinano-Railways which is private railroad. Bus runs in this section (Yokokawa Station and karuizawa Station).





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