Kinuura Rinkai Railway


The Kinuura Rinkai Railway is a freight-only railway company in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, operating since 1971. The two lines operated by the company lines serve the industrial area of the Port of Kinuura, Mikawa Bay. They mainly transport cement, fly ash, and calcium carbonate.

Lines

The Kinuura Rinkai Railway operates two unconnected lines: the Handa Line from to Handa-Futō, and the Hekinan Line from to Hekinanshi. Both lines are gauge and non-electrified.

Rolling stock

As of 1 April 2014, the company operates a fleet four 1,350 hp Class KE65 diesel locomotives, based at Handa-Futō Depot. Locomotive number KE65 2 has been stored out of use since September 2011. The locomotives receive major overhauls at JR facilities such as Omiya and Hiroshima Works.

History

The Kinuura Rinkai Railway was established on 8 April 1971. The Handa Line opened on 15 November 1975, and the Hekinan Line opened on 25 May 1977, from Higashiura to Gongenzaki. The section of the line from Hekinan to Gongenzaki was closed as of 1 April 2006.