Seto (train)

Japanese overnight sleeper train service (1950–1998)

Seto

A Seto service at Takamatsu Station, October 1995

Overview
Service type| Limited express
Status| Discontinued
Locale| Japan
First service| 1 April 1950 (Express)
15 March 1972 (Limited express)
Last service| 10 July 1998
Successor| Sunrise Seto
Current operator(s)| JR West
Former operator(s)| JNR
Route
Termini| Tokyo
Takamatsu
Distance travelled| 805.0 km (500.2 mi)
Average journey time| 10 hours 35 minutes (1998)
Service frequency| 1 return working daily
Technical
Rolling stock| 24/25 series sleeping cars
Track gauge| 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification| 1,500 V DC

The Seto (瀬戸) was a limited express Blue Train overnight sleeping car train service in Japan operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later by West Japan Railway Company (JR West), which ran from Tokyo to Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku until July 1998.[1][2]

## Rolling stock

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In its latter years, the Seto service was operated using 24/25 series sleeping cars.[3] The train was hauled by a JR East Tabata (Tokyo)-based EF65-1000 DC electric locomotive throughout.[3]

* A JR West MaNi 50-5000 luggage van at the rear of a Seto service in 1990

## History

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The Seto service commenced on 1 April 1950, as an "express" service operating between Tokyo and Uno in Okayama Prefecture.[3] From 11 November 1956, the name was changed to kanji, written as 瀬戸.[3] From 15 March 1972, the train was upgraded to become a "limited express" service.[3] In 1977, the 20 series sleeping cars were replaced by 24/25 series sleeping cars.[2]

From 10 April 1988, the service was rerouted to use the newly opened Great Seto Bridge, and operate between Tokyo and Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture.[3]

From the start of the revised timetable on 10 July 1998, the Seto services were discontinued and replaced by new 285 series electric multiple unit trains running as the Sunrise Seto together with the Sunrise Izumo.[1]

## See also

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* Blue Train (Japan)

## References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Seto (train).

1. ^ a b 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. 305–308\. ISBN 4-88732-093-0.
2. ^ a b 最新特急大カタログ [Modern Limited Express Catalogue]. Japan: JTB. November 1992. p. 110.
3. ^ a b c d e f 列車名鑑1995 [Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995. p. 126.

* v
* t
* e

Named trains of West Japan Railway Company

Shinkansen|

* Hakutaka
* Hikari
* Kagayaki
* Kodama
* Mizuho
* Nozomi
* Sakura
* Tsurugi

Limited express (daytime)|

* Hamakaze
* Hanaakari
* Haruka
* Hashidate
* Kinosaki
* Kounotori
* Kuroshio
* Mahoroba
* Maizuru
* Noto Kagaribi
* Shirasagi
* Super Hakuto
* Super Inaba
* Super Matsukaze
* Super Oki
* Thunderbird
* Yakumo

Limited express (overnight)|

* Sunrise Izumo
* Sunrise Seto
* West Express Ginga

Limited express (commuter)|

* Rakuraku Biwako
* Rakuraku Harima
* Rakuraku Yamato

Rapid|

* Marine Liner

Other|

* Twilight Express Mizukaze

Discontinued|

* Akatsuki
* Asakaze
* Biwako Express
* Dinostar
* Ginga
* Izumo
* Kitaguni
* Kitakinki
* Monju
* Ocean Arrow
* Ohayō Express and Oyasumi Express [ja]
* Raichō
* Seto
* Tamba
* Twilight Express
* Tango Discovery [ja]
* Tango Explorer

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