Kusatsu (train)
Japanese limited express train service
title: "Kusatsu (train)" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["named-passenger-trains-of-japan", "east-japan-railway-company", "railway-services-introduced-in-1960", "1960-establishments-in-japan"] description: "Japanese limited express train service" topic_path: "geography/japan" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kusatsu_(train)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Japanese limited express train service ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox rail service"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Kusatsu/Shima |
| image | Series E257-5500 OM-53 Kusatsu-Shima-2.jpg |
| image_width | 300px |
| caption | A E257 series EMU on a Kusatsu/Shima service, May 2023 |
| type | Limited express |
| status | Operational |
| first | 1 June 1960 (Semi express)14 March 1985 (Limited express) |
| operator | JR East |
| formeroperator | JNR |
| start | |
| end | |
| line_used | Tohoku Main Line, Takasaki Line, Joetsu Line, Agatsuma Line |
| class | Standard |
| Previously: Standard + Green | |
| stock | E257 series 5-car EMUs |
| gauge | |
| el | 1,500 V DC overhead |
| speed | 110 km/h |
| :: |
| name = Kusatsu/Shima | image = Series E257-5500 OM-53 Kusatsu-Shima-2.jpg | image_width = 300px | caption = A E257 series EMU on a Kusatsu/Shima service, May 2023 | type = Limited express | status = Operational | predecessor = | first = 1 June 1960 (Semi express)14 March 1985 (Limited express) | last = | successor = | operator = JR East | formeroperator= JNR | ridership = | start = | stops = | end = | distance = | journeytime = | frequency = | trainnumber = |line_used = Tohoku Main Line, Takasaki Line, Joetsu Line, Agatsuma Line | class = Standard Previously: Standard + Green | access = | seating = | catering = | entertainment= | otherfacilities= | stock = E257 series 5-car EMUs | gauge = | el = 1,500 V DC overhead | speed = 110 km/h | owners = | routenumber = | map = | map_state =
The Kusatsu/Shima is a limited express train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), which runs between in Tokyo and . The train requires a reservation to board. The train used to run until Manza-Kazawaguchi.
Rolling stock
Since the start of the revised timetable on 18 March 2023, Kusatsu/Shima services are operated by E257-5500 series EMUs, replacing the earlier 651-1000 series EMUs, which in turn replaced the previous 185 series trains.
File:Jnr 185 kusatsu.jpg|185 series Kusatsu, January 2003 File:JRE651-1000 K108 Kusatsu 20140315.jpg|651-1000 series set K108, March 2014 File:Series E257-5500 OM-51.jpg|E257-5500 series, January 2022
History
The Kusatsu service began on 1 June 1960 as a semi-express between Ueno and Naganohara (now Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi). This was upgraded to become a limited express service from 14 March 1985. From the start of the revised timetable on 15 March 2014, the 185 series EMUs used on these services were replaced by 651 series EMUs displaced from Super Hitachi services on the Joban Line, and modified to become the 651-1000 series.
''Kusatsu'' 50th anniversary
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Jnr_185_OM3-Kusatsu-20120103.jpg" caption="Repainted set OM03 on a ''Kusatsu'' service, January 2012"] ::
In September 2010, 185-200 series 7-car EMU set OM03 was repainted into the Shōnan colour scheme of orange and green (never previously carried by this type) to recreate the appearance of the early 80 series EMUs, as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Kusatsu limited express service scheduled for October of that year.
References
References
- (2008). "JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル". Kōtsū Shimbun.
- (16 December 2022). "JR東日本，3月18日にダイヤ改正を実施".
- link. JR East
- link. (20 December 2013). News release. East Japan Railway Company
- (August 1995). "列車名鑑1995". Railway Journal.
- (18 September 2010). "185系OM03編成が湘南色に". Koyusha Co., Ltd..
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