Kishin Line


Kishin Line is a railway line operated by West Japan Railway Company between Himeji, Hyōgo and Niimi, Okayama, Japan. The name of the line comes from the first kanji of Himeji and Niimi which the line connects.
New KiHa 122 and KiHa 127 series diesel multiple units were introduced on the line between Himeji and Kōzuki from spring 2009. Journey times were reduced from spring 2010 after the entire fleet of new trains had been delivered.

History

The first section of the line opened was from Tsuyama to the north in 1923, and the line was progressively extended until it reached Niimi in 1929. The section from Himeji opened in stages from 1930, and the line was completed in 1936.
CTC signalling was commissioned in 1986, and freight services ceased the following year.

Former connecting lines