Okhotsk (train)

Express train service between Sapporo and Abashiri, Japan

Okhotsk

KiHa 283 series DMU forming an Okhotsk service, March 2023

Overview
Service type| Limited express
Status| Operational
Locale| Hokkaido, Japan
First service| 22 September 1959
Current operator(s)| JR Hokkaido
Former operator(s)| JNR
Route
Termini| Sapporo
Abashiri
Stops| 17
Distance travelled| 374.5 km (232.7 mi)
Average journey time| 5 hours 30 minutes approx
Service frequency| 2 return workings daily
Line(s) used| Hakodate Main Line, Sōya Main Line, Sekihoku Main Line
On-board services
Class(es)| Standard
Disabled access| Yes
Sleeping arrangements| None
Catering facilities| None
Observation facilities| None
Entertainment facilities| None
Other facilities| Toilets
Technical
Rolling stock| KiHa 283 series DMU
Track gauge| 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification| None
Operating speed| 110 km/h (68 mph)
Track owner(s)| JR Hokkaido
| Route map

The Okhotsk (オホーツク, Ohōtsuku) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), which runs between Sapporo and Abashiri.[1] There are two services per day running in both directions, with the journey time taking approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. Trains operate at a maximum speed of 110 km/h (68 mph).[1] It is named after the Sea of Okhotsk.[2]

## Stops

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Trains stop at the following stations:

Sapporo \- Iwamizawa \- (Bibai) - (Sunagawa) - Takikawa \- Fukagawa \- Asahikawa \- Kamikawa \- Shirataki \- Maruseppu \- Engaru \- Ikutahara \- Rubeshibe \- Kitami \- Bihoro \- Memanbetsu \- Abashiri

Stations in brackets () are stations where not all trains stop at.

* Okhotsk no. 2 does not stop at Sunagawa and Bibai.

## Rolling stock

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Okhotsk services are normally formed of 3-car KiHa 283 series diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains, with monoclass passenger accommodation.[3]

### Formations

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#### KiHa 183 series

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Okhotsk services were previously formed of 4-car KiHa 183 series diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains as shown below, with car 1 at the Sapporo and Abashiri end (train reverses at Engaru Station).[1][4] These trains were replaced by KiHa 283 series DMUs from 18 March 2023.[5][3]

All cars were non-smoking.[6]

Car No.  | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

|
|
|
|

Accommodation  | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Green | Reserved

### Past

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* KiHa 22 DMUs (September 1959 - October 1961)
* KiHa 56 DMUs (October 1961 - October 1972)
* KiHa 80 DMUs (October 1972 - November 1986)
* KiHa 183 series DMUs (until March 2023)

* Preserved KiHa 22 DMU car, May 2005

* KiHa 80 series DMU on an Okhotsk service, 1986

* KiHa 183 series DMU in JNR livery, August 1985

* KiHa 183 series 6-car DMU in revised livery, 1990

* KiHa 183 series 6-car DMU in revised livery, 1990

* KiHa 183 series 6-car DMU in revised livery, 1990

* KiHa 183 series 4-car DMU in blue-and-white livery, September 2021

## History

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The Okhotsk service was first introduced by Japanese National Railways from the start of the revised timetable on 22 September 1959, as a semi-express service operating between Asahikawa and Abashiri, using KiHa 22 2-car DMUs, with five return workings daily.[2][7] From July 1960, services were extended to Sapporo, and ran coupled with Sōya semi express services over the Hakodate Main Line.[2]

From the start of the revised timetable in October 1961, services were upgraded to "Express" status, and were operated using KiHa 56 4-car DMU formations, including a KiRo 26 Green (first class) car.[2]

From the start of the revised timetable on 2 October 1972, services were upgraded to "Limited express" status, and were operated using KiHa 80 series DMU formations.[2]

From the start of the revised timetable in November 1986, the KiHa 80 series rolling stock was replaced with KiHa 183 series 6-car DMUs.[2]

### Sleeper service

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14 series sleeping car in an Okhotsk formation at Sapporo station, March 2008

From 1992, the former Taisetsu (大雪) express overnight sleeper service was integrated with the Okhotsk (becoming Okhotsk 9 & 10), featuring a SuHaNeFu 14-500 series sleeping car sandwiched in the DMU formation.[8] From March 2006, this became a seasonal-only train (Okhotsk 81 & 82), and the overnight service was discontinued entirely from 16 March 2008.[9]

## SL Okhotsk

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JR Hokkaido operates seasonal SL Okhotsk services formed of 14 series passenger coaches hauled by a JNR Class C11 steam locomotive and assisted by a JNR Class DE15 diesel locomotive.[10]

## References

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1. ^ a b c JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. 2008. p. 116\. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
2. ^ a b c d e f Teramoto, Mitsuteru (July 2001). 国鉄・ＪＲ列車名大辞典 [JNR & JR Train Name Encyclopedia]. Tokyo, Japan: Chuoshoin Publishing Co., Ltd. pp. 152–154. ISBN 4-88732-093-0.
3. ^ a b 特急“オホーツク”・“大雪”，キハ283系による運転に [Limited express "Okhotsk" and "Taisetsu" operated by KiHa 283 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
4. ^ 特急オホーツク（183系） 列車ガイド [Okhotsk (183 series) Train guide] (in Japanese). Japan: Hokkaido Railway Company. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
5. ^ "キハ283系が石北本線で試運転" [KiHa 283 series on test on Sekihoku Main Line]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 25 July 2022. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
6. ^ JR Timetable March 2012 issue, p.100/1003
7. ^ 列車名鑑1995 [Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995. p. 124.
8. ^ こだわりの新幹線＆特急列車ガイド [In-depth Shinkansen & Limited Express Guide]. Japan: Ikaros Publishing. August 2000. p. 45\. ISBN 4-87149-284-2.
9. ^ Discontinuation of sleeping car service, 18 April 2008 (Japanese)
10. ^ "JRグループ2012年SL・夏の臨時列車運転計画発表" [JR Group 2012 Steam Special Train Schedule Announcements]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 41, no. 339\. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. July 2012. p. 58.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Okhotsk (train).

* JR Hokkaido Okhotsk train information (in Japanese)

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