Japan - Usui Pass

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by maxthum, Jun 9, 2021.

  1. maxthum

    maxthum Active Member

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    Usui Pass is a closed railway section that is established by Japan National Railways, operated during the period 1893-1997 (was ultimately bypassed by the new Hokuriku Shinkansen).

    [​IMG]
    EF63 hauling an EMU set.

    The line was well known for the 11.2 km section between Yokokawa Station on the Gunma side and Karuizawa Station on the Nagano side which forms a part of the Shinetsu Mainline. Usui Pass has two alignments, with the old rack-and-pinion line and the revised electrified line (which featured a 6.7% (1 in 15) gradient). This article is on the revised line.

    upload_2021-6-10_2-35-9.png
    Usui Pass, listed in light brown to darkish brown, now Rail Trail. (openrailwaymaps)

    The Pass would be occasionally paralleling each other on singletrack, to allow the trains to get up and down the grade safely respectively, as the line would use a series of tunnels and bridges to cut through the Usui Pass mountain ranges, whilst fighting the grade.





    Old Maruyama Substation
    A sight to see would be the substations powering the line, and one of these is the Maruyama Substation as this powered the Pass throughout its life, seeing various changes to the route. [​IMG]

    Trains on Usui Pass
    [​IMG]
    EF63 pushing up the mountain.

    [​IMG]

    Banker Locomotives:
    The "modern" electric era is a piece of Japanese railway history, with a 6.7% (1 in 15) gradient, ordinary trains would require two EF-63 banker locos to climb and decent this steep gradient. The EF63 was specially designed for banking purposes, for this line exclusively as the EMU sets trailed or was assisted up the mountain. Each EF63 had 3,420hp and with multiple units with another EF63, this provides 6,840hp.

    EF62 was also an occasional choice of loco used for banking purposes at the time.

    The bankers would be attached and detached at Yokokawa and Karuizawa respectively.

    [​IMG]
    EF63 acting as bankers for the downhill descent.

    EMU - JR Series 183/189
    JR Series 183 is an EMU set that was commonly used at the time of JR East. These EMU were used on rapid express trains. These were common on the Shinetsu Mainline.
    [​IMG]

    EMU - JR Series 169
    [​IMG]

    The JR Series 169 was the dedicated EMU type that was introduced in 1967 which allowed MU operations with EF63. These EMU can operate up to a 12 car configuration. These were assumed to be used on the local stopping services.

    [​IMG]
    Kumoha 169-1 Jumper Couplers

    A: KE64 Type 2 for Normal Control
    B: KE70 Type for Cooperative Control
    C: KE6 Type
    D for High Voltage Power Supply (Main Circuit): Three-Phase AC Power Supply

    EMU - JR Series 185
    During the final years, the Series 185 was used to supplement and replace the older JR series EMU (namely 165). These were also common on the Usui Pass throughout the final years before the line was closed in 1997.

    [​IMG]

    How can this be represented in Train Sim World?
    The route could feature the section between Ueda and Takasaki (total of 90km) which provides an 11.2km steep gradient section where bankers are required before continuing on their journey on the Shinetsu Mainline. It could feature EF63 as the banker locomotives and 183 Series as EMU.

    This would provide a unique experience to Train Sim World, bringing Japan to the map. This is only really a brief overview of the route, as there's much more to be discovered. The lack of English information on this route makes writing this article harder, but the information and history associated with this line are amazing.




    More Information:
    A Fine Autumn Day at Yokokawa, 1996 (japaneserailwaysociety.com)
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2021
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  2. Commiee

    Commiee Well-Known Member

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  3. fabdiva

    fabdiva Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Jun 9, 2021
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  4. Commiee

    Commiee Well-Known Member

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    Oh right, I didn't remember the other route. I'll make changes.
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2021
  5. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

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    Excellent idea but before 1931 or 1963 this would have been operated as a Rack Railway with 600-1.5kv DC electrification. Locomotives for this was ED40
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2021
  6. mlouie100

    mlouie100 Well-Known Member

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    I would be intrested in buy this Route dlc if dovetails decides to recreate this route for TSW 2.
     

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