Toyohashi Railroad Azumada Main Line


Azumada Main Line is a tram line in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, Japan operated by Toyohashi Railroad. It connects Ekimae to Akaiwaguchi and Ihara to Undoukoen-mae. The line is referred to as Toyo-Tetsu Shinaisen by Toyohashi Railroad. The railroad also operated another tram line, the Yagyu-bashi Branch Line, prior to 1976.

Overview

The entire line is a street running tram line and is often called the Shinaisen or the shiden.
Although some sections ceased operations during the 1970s much like many other tram lines in the era, a new branch line between Ihara and Undokoen-mae was opened in 1982. In 1998, Ekimae stop was moved to its current location, extending the line by 150 m. In 2005, a new station by the name of Ekimae-odori was created between Ekimae and Shinkawa.
Since 1989, most tramcars excluding type T1000 and Mo3000 have had full-body advertisements.
After the closure of the Meitetsu Gifu City Line and Minomachi Line in 1 April 2005, the Higashda Main Line has been the only tram line in Tokai region.

Basic Data

Between Fudaki and Higashi-haccho, the line runs on the National Route 1. Azumada Main Line being the only tram line that currently runs on the route.
The curve at Ihara where the line to Undoukoen-mae branches has a radius of 11 m. This is the sharpest railway curve in Japan and is known as the Ihara Curve.

Fares

As of 1 October 2019, Azumada Main Line has a flat rate fare system, with the adult fare being 180 yen and the child fare 90 yen. The proximity card manaca and other such cards compatible with it such as TOICA and Suica can be used to pay the fares. Fares are collected on the passenger's entry onto the tramcar. A transfer is required to go from Undokoen-mae to Akaiwaguchi and vice versa, but there is no discounted joint fare. A one-day pass is also available at 500 yen.

Operations

During the daytime, trams operate every 7 minutes between Ekimae and Ihara, with the origin/destination alternating between Akaiwaguchi and Undoukoen-mae. During rush hour, additional trams are operated between Ekimae and Keirinjo-mae, shortening the minimum interval to five minutes. As the tram depot is situated in Akaiwaguchi, most late night services head to Akaiwaguchi. Additional trams are also operated during occasions such as festivals in the town and professional baseball matches at the stadium located close to Undokoen-mae stop.
When there are no passengers getting on or off, trams can pass stops.

Special Trams

On the Azumada Main Line, several special trams are operated every year. Mo3100 car 3102 had been used for these trams, but since 2010, Mo3200 car 3203 is used.
Below is a list of major special trams.
; Beer Tram
; Decorated Tramcar
; Odensha

Facilities

The line's depot is located at Akaiwaguchi. Before the extension to Akaiwaguchi in 1960, the depot was situated in Azumada. The site is now used as a pharmacy.
A siding that can park two tramcars exists in Keirinjo-mae, next to which the office for the line stands. During the daytime, drivers change at this stop and in the evening rush hour, the tramcars parked here are also used.
Crossovers between the east-bound and west-bound tracks exist on the west side of Shinkawa and on the east side of Azumada-sakaue. The crossover at Shinkawa is used once a year when the section between Ekimae and Shinkawa become a pedestrian zone at the Toyohashi Festival. The crossover at Azumada-sakue is regularly used for the tramcars from Ihara to enter the siding at Keirinjo-mae.

History

Defunct Sections

Stop NameDistance from previous stop
Distance from Shinkawa
Transfers
Shinkawa-0.0Azumada Main Line
Nakashiba0.40.4 
Matsuyama0.20.6 
Yagyu-bashi0.30.9Toyohashi Railroad Atsumi Line

Current

Most cars now have full body advertising or special liveries.
; Mo3200
; Mo3500
; Mo780
; Mo800
; T1000

Former

Two-axle Cars

; MoHa100
; MoHa200
; MoHa300
; MoHa400
; MoHa500

Bogie Cars

; Mo3600
; Mo3700
; Mo3800
; Mo3900
; Mo3300
; Mo3100

Car Quantity

YearMo3100Mo3200Mo3300Mo3700Mo3800Mo3500Mo780Mo800T1000Total
1982
-
1988		9321116
1989932115
1990832114
1991832114
1992832114
19937321215
19947321215
19957321215
1996
-
1999		7321215
2000
-
2005		731415
200613147117
2007
-
2008		1347116
2009
-
2011		13471117
2012
-
2018		3471116
20193472117