Tracing the Curious History of the Ou Main Line (Part 2)

[Introduction]
This is a 484.5 km trunk line that starts in Fukushima City, passes through Yamagata City and Akita City, and reaches Aomori City. From the time it opened, trains connected major cities on the Tohoku Sea of Japan side between Fukushima and Akita, and between Akita and Aomori. In particular, there were even night trains that departed from Ueno and traveled directly to Aomori via the Ou Main Line from Fukushima.
However, due to changes in transport patterns caused by modifications to track gauges and electrification equipment, the line is now divided into multiple sections, making through-service across the entire line impossible. I would like to look back at the history of the Ou Main Line, which has followed a unique path unlike any other JR line in the country. =In this installment, I will introduce the changes in the shortest travel times.=

[1. Meiji and Taisho Eras]

・1905 (M38).9.14 The Ou North and South lines were connected by the opening of the section between Yuzawa and Yokote, completing the entire line.
・1906 (M39).4.16 Operation of one round-trip local train between Fukushima and Aomori began.
　　　　　　　　Down: 16 hours 58 minutes, Up: 17 hours 16 minutes
・1907 (M40).5.19 Operation of one round-trip direct local train between Ueno and Aomori began.
・1911 (M44).9.15 Increased to two round-trip direct local trains between Ueno and Aomori.
・1919 (T8).10.1 Increased to three round-trip direct local trains between Ueno and Aomori.
・1922 (T11).3.15 Operation of one round-trip direct express train between Ueno and Aomori began.
・1924 (T13).7.31 Direct express trains 701/702 between Ueno and Aomori
　　　　　　　　Down: 13 hours 13 minutes, Up: 13 hours 37 minutes (Travel time between Fukushima and Aomori)

In the timetable revision the year after the entire line opened, local trains traversing the full length of the line began operation, and the following year, new direct local trains from Ueno were introduced. Direct local trains were further increased in subsequent timetable revisions, and in 1922, express trains 701 and 702, the predecessors to the "Tsugaru," were introduced.
With the introduction of express trains, travel time between the prefectural capitals of Fukushima, Yamagata, Akita, and Aomori was significantly reduced.

[2. Wartime and Post-war Revival of Express Trains]

・1944 (S19).10.11 Direct local trains 403/404 between Ueno and Aomori
　　　　　　　　Down: 15 hours 11 minutes, Up: 14 hours 16 minutes (Travel time between Fukushima and Aomori)
・1947 (S22).6.29 Revival of direct express trains 401/402 only between Ueno and Akita
・1947 (S22).7.5 Revival of direct express trains 507/508 between Osaka and Aomori
・1950 (S25).11.8 Express trains 507/508 between Osaka and Aomori named "Nihonkai"
・1950 (S25).12.20 Express trains 401/402 between Ueno and Akita named "Chokai"; transfer to local train between Akita and Aomori
　　　　　　　　Down: 14 hours 12 minutes, Up: 12 hours 52 minutes (Travel time between Fukushima and Aomori)
・1956 (S31).11.19 "Chokai" extended between Akita and Aomori and renamed express "Tsugaru"; "Chokai" became a daytime express
　　　　　　　　Down: 10 hours 13 minutes, Up: 10 hours 40 minutes (Travel time between Fukushima and Aomori)

During World War II, almost all express trains nationwide were abolished, and only local trains remained in operation. Naturally, travel times increased, but two years after the end of the war, when the coal situation for fuel improved, express trains were revived. Even so, speeds could not be increased due to the poor quality of coal, and because of poor local train connections in Akita, the reduction in travel time was minimal.
Entering the 1950s, many express trains nationwide were given names, and in the 1956 timetable revision, the express "Tsugaru" connecting Fukushima and Aomori was introduced, leading to a reduction in travel time.

[3. Introduction of Limited Express Trains]

・1961 (S36).10.1 Two types of limited express trains introduced: "Tsubasa" between Ueno and Akita, and "Hakucho" between Osaka and Aomori
　　　　　　　　Down: 7 hours 37 minutes, Up: 7 hours 37 minutes (Connecting travel time between Fukushima and Aomori)
・1968 (S43).10.1 Operation of electric limited express "Yamabato" between Ueno and Yamagata began
・1970 (S45).7.1 Operation of sleeper limited express "Akebono" between Ueno and Akita began
・1972 (S47).10.2 Operation of electric limited express "Hakucho" between Akita and Aomori began
・1975 (S50).11.25 Operation of electric limited express "Tsubasa" between Ueno and Akita began
・1982 (S57).11.15 Full-scale opening of Tohoku Shinkansen between Omiya and Morioka; with the exception of some "Tsubasa" trains, the operating section for limited express trains was shortened to between Fukushima and Akita

In the San-Roku-To timetable revision, which was a nationwide overhaul, the limited express trains "Tsubasa" and "Hakucho" were introduced to the Tohoku Sea of Japan side. Initially, the timetable was set up to allow for connections between the two trains at Akita Station for both directions, so travel between Fukushima and Aomori was significantly reduced compared to the express "Tsugaru."

※Next time, final installment: From the opening of the Yamagata Shinkansen to current travel times
※Image source: pixta.jp Pixta