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Tobu Skytree Line

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The Tobu Skytree Line (東武スカイツリーライン, Tōbu Sukaitsurii-rain) is a section of the Tobu Isesaki Line operated by the private railway company Tobu Railway, extending from Asakusa Station in Tokyo to Tōbu-Dōbutsu-Kōen Station in Saitama Prefecture. Some trains from the line continue to the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line. This section was branded the Tobu Skytree Line on 17 March 2012 in conjunction with the opening of the Tokyo Skytree Tower (which Tobu Railway owns).

Tobu Skytree Line
TS
A Tobu 100 series operating on a Spacia service near Gotanno station.
Overview
Native name東武スカイツリーライン
OwnerTobu Railway
LocaleKantō (Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture)
Termini
Stations30
Websitehttps://www.tobu.co.jp/en/
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemTobu Railway
Depot(s)Kasukabe
History
OpenedMarch 17, 2012
Technical
Line length41.0 km (25.5 mi)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC
Operating speed110 km/h (70 mph)

Description

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Track
Quadruple: Tokyo Skytree − Hikifune 1.3 km, Kita-Senju − Kita-Koshigaya 18.9 km[1]
Double: Rest of the line

Note that Oshiage Station is officially an extension or part of Tokyo Skytree. The double tracks between Oshiage and Hikifune are thus the third and fourth tracks of the Tokyo Skytree − Hikifune section.

Operation

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All-stations "Local" services operate from Asakusa to Kita-Senju, and Tōbu-Dōbutsu-Kōen, and onward to Minami-Kurihashi on the Tōbu Nikkō Line.[2] Some peak-hour Local services from Asakusa terminate at Takenotsuka, Kita-Koshigaya, or Kita-Kasukabe.[2]

Through trains

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The Skytree Line has trains that inter-run with two Tokyo Metro subway lines. One is the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line connected at Kita-Senju, with all-station stop "Local" trains only. The other is the Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line at Oshiage, running as either local, semi-express or express trains within the subway line and the Tokyu Denentoshi line. Beyond Shibuya, the terminus of the Hanzomon Line, nearly all trains continue to and from the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line, down to the terminus of Chūō-Rinkan.

To the north, trains run via the Yagan Railway to the Aizu Railway's Aizutajima Station.

Service patterns

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Stops and operated sections are as of 2013.

Local (普通, Futsū) (announced as Kakueki Teisha (各駅停車) or kakutei (各停) for short) (L)
  • Asakusa − Kita-Senju. 6 cars.
  • Naka-Meguro of Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line − Kita-Senju − Takenotsuka - Kita-Koshigaya - Kita-Kasukabe - Tobu-Dobutsu-Koen - Minami-Kurihashi. 7 cars.
Section Semi-Express (区間準急, Kukan Junkyū) (SSE)
Between Asakusa and Kita-Koshigaya, Kita-Kasukabe, Tōbu-Dōbutsu Kōen, Kuki, Tatebayashi (Isesaki Line) or Minami-Kurihashi (Nikkō Line). 6 cars.
Semi-Express (準急, Junkyū) (SmE)
Early morning and late night. Down to Kita-Koshigaya, Tōbu-Dōbutsu-Kōen, Kuki or to Minami-Kurihashi on the Nikkō Line through from Chūō-Rinkan on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line via the Hanzomon Line. 10 cars.
Section Express (区間急行, Kukan Kyūkō) (SE)
Between Asakusa and Tōbu-Dōbutsu-Kōen, Kuki, Tatebayashi (Isesaki Line) or Minami-Kurihashi (Nikkō Line). 6 cars.
Express (急行, Kyūkō) (Ex)
From morning to night. Down to Tōbu-Dōbutsu-Kōen, Kuki (nearly half to Minami-Kurihashi on the Nikkō Line), through from Chūō-Rinkan on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line via Hanzōmon Line. 10 cars.
Limited Express (特急, Tokkyū) (LE)
Stops not shown. Charged for seat reservation and rapid service. Mainly through to the Nikkō Line for the Nikko area named Kegon (けごん), Kirifuri (きりふり), Shimotsuke (しもつけ) and Kinu (きぬ) and Revaty Kinu (リバティきぬ) and Revaty Aizu (リバティ会津) and Revaty Kegon (リバティけごん). Some through to Isesaki from Asakusa, sole direct service named Ryōmō (りょうもう) and Revaty Ryōmō (リバティりょうもう). Some through to/from Kuki from/to Ebisu on Hibiya Line, sole direct service named TH Liner (THライナー). Some through to Kasukabe from Asakusa, sole direct service named Skytree Liner (スカイツリーライナー). Some through Ōmiya/Kashiwa from Asakusa, sole direct service named Urbanpark Liner (アーバンパークライナー).

Stations

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Video from a Tobu 10000 series train near Sengendai Station, October 2012
  • S: Stop
  • *1: To Naka-Meguro on Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.
  • *2: To Chūō-Rinkan on Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line via Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line
  • *3: Through to Nikkō Line
  • *4: Through to Isesaki Line
  • *5: Terminating Services from Naka-Meguro on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
  • *6: Terminating Services from Chūō-Rinkan on Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line via Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line
  • KN・KG: The stations which are marked "KN・KG" are stopped by Limited Express Kinu and Kegon trains
  • RM: The stations which are marked "RM" are stopped by Limited Express Ryomo trains
  • RV RM: The stations which are marked "RV RM" are stopped by Limited Express Revaty Kinu and Revaty Kegon and Revaty Aizu and Revaty Ryomo trains
  • RV KG・KN: The stations which are marked "RV RM" are stopped by Limited Express Revaty Kinu, Revaty Kegon and Revaty Aizu trains
  • SL: The stations which are marked "SL" are stopped by Limited Express Skytree Liner trains
  • UL: The stations which are marked "UL" are stopped by Limited Express Urbanpark Liner trains
  • TH: The stations which are marked "TH" are stopped by Limited Express TH Liner trains
  • KF: The stations which are marked "KF" are stopped by Limited Express Kirifuri trains
  • *Limited Express: Limited Express which are marked * travel to Asakusa stop at Hikifune station in the morning and they travel to Kasukabe or Tōbu-Dōbutsu-Kōen direction stop at Hikifune Station in the evening.
No. Station Japanese Distance (km) L SSE SmE SE E LE Transfers Location
TS01 Asakusa 浅草 0.0 S *1 S *2 S *2 KN・KG/R/RV/SL/UL/KF
Taitō Tokyo
TS02 Tokyo Skytree とうきょうスカイツリー 1.1 S S S KN・KG/R/RV/SL/UL/KF[Note 2]   Sumida
TS03 (Oshiage) 押上 -     S   S
TS04 Hikifune 曳舟 2.4 S S S S S *KN・KG/*RM/*RV RM/*RV KG・KN/SL/UL/*KF   Tobu Kameido Line
TS05 Higashi-Mukōjima 東向島 3.2 S S   S   ↕  
TS06 Kanegafuchi 鐘ヶ淵 4.2 S S   S   ↕  
TS07 Horikiri 堀切 5.3 S S   S   ↕   Adachi
TS08 Ushida 牛田 6.0 S S   S   ↕ KS Keisei Main Line

(Keisei Sekiya)

TS09 Kita-Senju 北千住 7.1 S S S S S S KN・KG/RM/RV RM/RV KN・KG/SL/UL/KF/TH
TS10 Kosuge 小菅 8.2   S         ↕  
TS11 Gotanno 五反野 9.3 S         ↕  
TS12 Umejima 梅島 10.5 S         ↕  
TS13 Nishiarai 西新井 11.3 S S S S S ↕   Tobu Daishi Line
TS14 Takenotsuka 竹ノ塚 13.4 S         ↕  
TS15 Yatsuka 谷塚 15.9 S         ↕   Sōka Saitama
TS16 Sōka 草加 17.5 S S S S S ↕  
TS17 Dokkyodaigakumae 獨協大学前 19.2 S         ↕  
TS18 Shinden 新田 20.5 S         ↕  
TS19 Gamō 蒲生 21.9 S         ↕   Koshigaya
TS20 Shin-Koshigaya 新越谷 22.9 S S S S S UL/TH JM Musashino Line

(Minami-Koshigaya)

TS21 Koshigaya 越谷 24.4 S S S S S ↕  
TS22 Kita-Koshigaya 北越谷 26.0 S S S     ↕  
TS23 Ōbukuro 大袋 28.5 S S S     ↕  
TS24 Sengendai せんげん台 29.8 S S S S S UL/TH  
TS25 Takesato 武里 31.1 S S S     ↕   Kasukabe
TS26 Ichinowari 一ノ割 33.0 S S S     ↕  
TS27 Kasukabe 春日部 35.3 S S S S S KN・KG/RV KG・KN/SL/UL/KF/TH   Tobu Urban Park Line (TD-10)
TS28 Kita-Kasukabe 北春日部 36.8 S S S     ↕  
TS29 Himemiya 姫宮 38.4 S S S     ↕   Miyashiro
TS30 Tōbu-Dōbutsu-Kōen 東武動物公園 41.0 S
*3/*5 		S
*3/*4 		S
*3/*4/*6 		S
*3/*4 		S
*3/*4/*6 		RM/RV RM/TH
Notes
  1. ^ The station for the Tsukuba Express is located 600 m to the west of this station. Due to the distance between these two stations, transfers for the Tsukuba Express are announced at Kita-Senju.
  2. ^ At this station, you can ride any of the Limited Express trains bound for Asakusa Station without Limited Express Tickets.

Rolling stock

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Current

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As of July 15 2023

  •  
    Tobu 100 series
  •  
    Tobu 50050 series
  •  
    Tobu 70000 series

Former

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History

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Main article: Tobu Isesaki Line § History

The first section of the Isesaki Line was opened by the present company in 1899 between Kita-Senju and Kuki utilising steam motive power. In 1902, Tobu extended the line south to have a maritime connection at present Tokyo Skytree (then Azumabashi (吾妻橋), later renamed Asakusa) in downtown Tokyo, and north to Kazo. The following year a further northern extension to Kawamata (then on the south bank of Tone River) was opened. Further northward extension progressed, and in 1910 the line arrived at Isesaki. In 1931, a bridge over the Sumida River was built and present Asakusa Station (then Asakusa Kaminarimon (浅草雷門)) opened as part of the department store building, the entire line being completed.

The Asakusa to Nishiarai section was double-tracked in 1912, and the rest of the line was double-tracked between 1920 and 1927, except for the Hanyu to Kawamata section, which was double-tracked when a second bridge was built over the Tonegawa in 1992.

Electrification started in 1924 on the section of Asakusa and Nishiarai, and in 1927 completed as far as Isesaki. The distance of over 100 km was then one of the longest electrified railway lines together with the present Kintetsu Osaka Line and Yamada Lines.

After World War II, the Tobu Lines had no connection to the Yamanote Line or other major lines of the then Japanese National Railways (JNR) to offer efficient transfers to central Tokyo. The sole connection was with the Jōban Line at Kitasenju, which offered poor access to central Tokyo. To solve the inefficiencies of transfers at Kitasenju and notoriously narrow Asakusa, in 1962, the Hibiya Line of the then Teito Rapid Transport Authority (帝都高速度交通営団, Teito Kōsokudo Kōtsū Eidan), known as TRTA, present Tokyo Metro) was built, connecting at Kitasenju.

Further growing traffic required Tobu to build a second through line to Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line in the 1990s. In 2003, the company built new tracks from Hikifune to connect at Oshiage, officially an annex station of Tokyo Skytree.

From the 3 March 2006, timetable revision, less than half of trains originated or terminated at Asakusa, with more trains operating through to Tokyo Metro subway lines.

From 17 March 2012, the section south of Tōbu-Dōbutsu-Kōen was rebranded as the Tobu Skytree Line.

The former Skytree Train and Kirifuri limited express, Rapid, and Section Rapid services were discontinued from the start of the revised timetable on 21 April 2017.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Terada, Hirokazu (19 January 2013). データブック日本の私鉄 [Databook: Japan's Private Railways]. Japan: Neko Publishing. p. 222. ISBN 978-4-7770-1336-4.
  2. ^ a b Tobu Timetable, 16 March 2013 p.2-65
  3. ^ ２００６東武鉄道通勤車両カタログ [2006 Tobu Railway Commuter Rolling Stock Catalogue]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 35, no. 263. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. March 2006. pp. 21–26.
  4. ^ 東武70000系が営業運転を開始 [Tobu 70000 series enters revenue service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 8 July 2017. Archived from the original on 9 July 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  5. ^ 東京メトロ13000系が本格的な営業運転を開始 [Tokyo Metro 13000 series enters full revenue service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 27 March 2017. Archived from the original on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  6. ^ Ueshin, Daisuke (20 April 2017). 東武スカイツリーライン快速・区間快速ラストラン、300型が最後の定期運行 [Final run for Tobu Skytree Line Rapid and Section Rapid and last regular runs for 300 series]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.

Further reading

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  • 東武スカイツリーライン(伊勢崎線): 街と駅の今昔物語 [Tobu Skytree Line (Isesaki Line): Past and present stories of the towns and stations] (in Japanese). Japan: Sairyusha. 25 August 2015. ISBN 978-4779123665.
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