Osaka-Kyoto via Kyoto Line. Length 26.6 miles. Stations: 17. Possible extensions: West to Sasayamaguchi via Takarazuka Line, Kobe via Kobe Line, East to Kusatsu via Biwako Line or Northwest to Sonobe via Sanin Line. Operators: JR West, JR Freight. Services: Local, Rapid, Special Rapid, Limited Express. Stock: JR West 223, 225, 321, 221, 287 (tilting emu), 271/281 and more. Suggested included stock: 223, 321 and 271/281. DLC: 221, 287, 225, 207. Why? Japanese route between two main cities. Very heavy traffic volume with multiple service types and variety of stock. Multiple yards/depots. Many opportunities for extensions in multiple directions and add-on dlc. Settings include dense urban areas, suburban sprawl, river crossings and potential extension to a gorgeous winding rural route (Takarazuka Line). Extension to Sonobe (Sanin Line) goes past the famous Arashiyama bamboo forest and the Hozu Gorge.
Bring it on and my mum went here last April by using Kyoto or walking to Nishoji Station since my Aunt lives in the Minami Ward of Kyoto. Ticket Barriers need an Icoca card to be opened which is also used by the Train conductor to inspect their tickets on the Icoca Card. For express trips have the 281 and 271 Series Haruka trains
Excellent idea: the 271 series are fine looking stock and now that the underground platforms at Osaka are open, it would be a logical place to terminate the Haruka service and add some variation to the route.
