The Rakuraku Biwako (らくラクびわこ, Rakuraku Biwako) is a commuter limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between Osaka and Maibara or Kusatsu in Japan since June 2003. It replaced the previous Biwako Liner services.[1]

Rakuraku Biwako
Overview
Service typeCommuter Limited Express
StatusOperational
PredecessorBiwako Liner
First service2 June 2003
Current operator(s)JR West
Route
TerminiOsaka
Kusatsu / Maibara
Distance travelled110.5 km (68.7 mi)
Average journey timeapprox. 1 hr 28 mins (Ōsaka–Maibara)
Service frequency1 morning working from Maibara to Ōsaka
1 evening working from Ōsaka to Maibara
1 evening working from Ōsaka to Kusatsu
Line(s) usedTokaido Main Line (Biwako Line and JR Kyoto Line)
On-board services
Class(es)Ordinary + Green
Disabled accessYes
Sleeping arrangementsNone
Catering facilitiesNone
Observation facilitiesNone
Entertainment facilitiesNone
Other facilitiesToilets
Technical
Rolling stock681 series EMUs, 683 series EMUs, KiHa 189 series DMUs
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC overhead
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph)
Track owner(s)JR West

Service pattern

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As of March 2024, one weekday morning service (Rakuraku Biwako 1) runs from Maibara to Osaka, and two weekday evening services (Rakuraku Biwako 2 & 4) run from Osaka to Maibara and Kusatsu respectively, with the journey time from Osaka to Maibara taking approximately 1 hour 28 minutes.[2]

Rolling stock

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Services were initially operated using the nine-car 681 series or 683 series EMUs used on Thunderbird services.[1]

Formations

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Rakuraku Biwako 1 and 2

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Rakuraku Biwako 1 and 2 (between Osaka and Maibara) are formed as follows, with car 1 at the Maibara end.[3]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Accommodation Green Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved
  • Trains run as 9-car formations on certain days.[3]

Rakuraku Biwako 4

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Rakuraku Biwako 4 (Osaka to Kusatsu) is formed as follows, with car 1 at the Osaka end.[4]

Car No. 1 2 3
Accommodation Reserved Reserved Reserved
Facilities     Wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • All cars are standard class and no-smoking.[4]
  • Trains run as 6-car formations during busy periods.[4]

History

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The Biwako Express service was introduced from 2 June 2003.[5]

The service was made entirely no-smoking from 1 June 2009.[6]

The service started calling at Minami-Kusatsu Station,[7] and all seats become reserved[8] from 13 March 2021.

Effective the 16 March 2024 timetable revision, all services were renamed to Rakuraku Biwako. At the same time, 9-car 683 series sets operated on this service were replaced with 6-car 681 or 683 series sets.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b JR新幹線&特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2008. p. 40. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
  2. ^ "より便利になる通勤特急を「らくラク~」シリーズに統一します" [Unification of the more convenient commuter express trains into the "Rakuraku" series.] (PDF). West Japan Railway Company (in Japanese). Japan. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b "らくラクびわこ (車両案内)". jr.odekake.net (in Japanese). Japan. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b c JR時刻表 [JR Timetable] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. March 2016. pp. 110, 985.
  5. ^ 特急「びわこエクスプレス」の運転、 特急「はるか」の米原延長運転の開始 [Start of Biwako Express limited express service and extension of Haruka services to Maibara]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 11 October 2003. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  6. ^ 在来線特急列車などの全席禁煙化ならびに在来線ホームの禁煙化の拡大について [Complete ban of smoking on limited express trains and station platforms]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  7. ^ "2021年3月13日にダイヤ改正を実施します" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). 西日本旅客鉄道近畿統括本部. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  8. ^ "「e5489チケットレスサービス」(在来線)の拡充および特急列車指定席の拡大について" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). 西日本旅客鉄道. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  9. ^ "JR西日本、近畿エリアを走る通勤特急は「らくラク」シリーズに統一" [JR West Unifies Rakuraku Limited Express Services]. MyNavi Corporation (in Japanese). 3 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
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