Sarobetsu (train)

The Sarobetsu (サロベツ) is a limited express train service between Asahikawa and Wakkanai in Hokkaido, Japan, which is operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). Two trains per day operate in each direction, with the journey taking approximately 3 hours 45 minutes.

Sarobetsu

KiHa 183 series DMU on a Sarobetsu service, July 2006
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	Operational
First service	1 July 1992
Current operator(s)	JR Hokkaido
Route
Termini	Asahikawa Wakkanai
Stops	11
Distance travelled	259.4 km (161.2 mi)
Average journey time	3 hours 45 minutes approx
Service frequency	2 return trips daily
Line(s) used	Sōya Main Line
On-board services
Class(es)	Standard + Green
Disabled access	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	None
Catering facilities	None
Observation facilities	None
Entertainment facilities	None
Other facilities	Toilets
Technical
Rolling stock	KiHa 261 series DMU
Electrification	Diesel
Operating speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Track owner(s)	JR Hokkaido

Stations

Trains stop at the following stations:

Asahikawa - Wassamu - Shibetsu - Nayoro - Bifuka - Otoineppu - Teshio-Nakagawa - Horonobe - Toyotomi - Minami-Wakkanai - Wakkanai

Rolling stock

Sarobetsu KiHa 183 series DMU with additional Japanese seating car leading, October 2007

Services are normally formed of 4-car KiHa 261 series DMUs, with Car No. 1 at the Wakkanai end and Car No. 4 at the Asahikawa end. Car No. 1 consists of both ordinary-class seats and the Green Car, while the other cars are ordinary-class cars. All seats are non-smoking. Up until 2007, an additional "Japanese-style seating car" (お座敷車, Ozashikisha) was attached to the train during busy seasons.^[1]

Car No.	1		2	3	4
Class	Green car	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved	Non-reserved
Facilities			Toilets	Wheelchair-accessible toilet

History

One of the Sōya services changed its name to Sarobetsu on July 1, 1992. At that time both Sōya and Sarobetsu ran between Sapporo and Wakkanai. However, the Sarobetsu service had no green cars, in contrast to Sōya, and stopped at these stations: Sapporo - Iwamizawa - Bibai - Sunagawa - Takikawa - Fukagawa - Asahikawa - Wassamu - Shibetsu - Nayoro - Bifuka - Otoineppu - Teshio-Nakagawa - Horonobe - Toyotomi - Minami-Wakkanai - Wakkanai

The Sarobetsu service was suspended, as the KiHa 183 series, which was the same type of train used for the service at that time, was involved in a fire on the Hakodate Main Line in July 2013.^[2] The service was supposed to resume the following month, but was delayed due to the accident investigation and resulting preventative measures.^[3] The suspension ended on March 31, 2014.^[2] In the meantime, a temporary rapid train service replaced the Sarobetsu.^[4]

From the start of the revised timetable of 4 March 2017, the Sarobetsu service was re-routed to operate between Asahikawa and Wakkanai, when the Lilac was introduced between Sapporo and Asahikawa. Also, the KiHa 261 series sets were used to replace the ageing KiHa 183 series sets.