The is a

limited express A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes. Japan The term "limited express" is a common ...

train service in Japan operated by

West Japan Railway Company , also referred to as , is one of the Japan Railways Group (JR Group) companies and operates in western Honshu. It has its headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka. It is listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange, is a constituent of the TOPIX Large70 index, and ...

(JR West), which runs from to and .

Stops

Trains stop at the following stations: - - - - ( Nishi-Akashi) - () - - - - - - - - - - - () - - - - *Only the ''Hamakaze'' No. 5 stops at Nishi-Akashi and Kakogawa. *Trains also stop at Kakogawa and Satsu during winter.

Rolling stock

New 130 km/h

KiHa 189 series The is a diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) on '' Hamakaze'' limited express services between and since November 2010 and '' Biwako Express'' services between Osaka and since March 2014. ...

3-car DMU sets were introduced on ''Hamakaze'' services from 7 November 2010. Prior to November 2010, services were operated by 4-car

KiHa 181 series The was a diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated in Japan on limited express services between 1968 and 2010. Initially introduced by Japanese National Railways (JNR), the trains were later operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West ...

DMU formations, lengthened to 5 or 7 cars in busy seasons. File:JRW DC kiha181 Limited Express Hamakaze.jpg, KiHa 181 series on a ''Hamakaze'' service on the Bantan Line, February 2009

Formations

As of 2021, trains are formed as shown below, with car 3 at the Osaka end.

''Hamakaze'' 1 - 6

* All cars are standard class. * All seats are reserved. * All cars are no-smoking. * Trains run as 6-car formations during busy periods.

History

The ''Hamakaze'' service was introduced by

Japanese National Railways The abbreviated JNR or , was the business entity that operated Japan's national railway network from 1949 to 1987. Network Railways As of June 1, 1949, the date of establishment of JNR, it operated of narrow gauge () railways in all 46 pref ...

(JNR) on 15 March 1972. All cars were made no-smoking from 1 June 2009.

References

External links

JR West ''Hamakaze'' information
{{JR West trains Named passenger trains of Japan West Japan Railway Company Railway services introduced in 1972