Suzuran

For the Japanese plant known as Suzuran, see Lily of the Valley. For the Russian nuclear waste processing barge known as Suzuran, see Landysh.

Suzuran (すずらん; "Lily of the valley") is a limited express train service operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) between Muroran and Sapporo in Hokkaido, Japan.^[1] The current limited express service was introduced in July 1992, but the name was first used from 1956 for an express service operated by JNR between Hakodate and Sapporo.^[2]

Suzuran

785 series EMU on a Suzuran service at Muroran Station, October 2007
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	In operation
Locale	Hokkaido
First service	1956 (Express) July 1992 (Limited express)
Current operator(s)	JR Hokkaido
Former operator(s)	JNR
Route
Termini	Sapporo Higashi-Muroran, Muroran
Stops	15
Distance travelled	136.2 km (84.6 mi)
Average journey time	1 hour 45 minutes approx
Service frequency	6 return workings daily
On-board services
Class(es)	Standard class only
Disabled access	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	None
Catering facilities	None
Observation facilities	None
Entertainment facilities	None
Other facilities	Toilets, AC outlets (u-Seats only)
Technical
Rolling stock	789-1000 series & 785 series EMUs
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	20 kV AC overhead
Operating speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Track owner(s)	JR Hokkaido

Stops

Trains stop at the following stations:

Sapporo - Shin-Sapporo - Chitose - Minami-Chitose - Numanohata - Tomakomai - Shiraoi - Noboribetsu - Horobetsu - Washibetsu - Higashi-Muroran - Wanishi - Misaki - Bokoi - Muroran

• Train becomes a Local Train between Higashi-Muroran station and Wanishi station.
• Suzuran No. 2 terminates at Higashi-Muroran.
• Suzuran No. 5 starts from Higashi-Muroran.

Rolling stock

Services are formed of 5-car 785 series and 789-1000 series EMUs. All seats are non-reserved, except for car 4, which has improved "u-Seat" accommodation, including AC outlets for personal use.^[1][3]

• 
  A 789-1000 series EMU, January 2009
• 
  785 series non-reserved seating, May 2008
• 
  785 series reserved "u-Seat" car, August 2007
• 
  789-1000 series non-reserved seating, May 2008
• 
  789-1000 series reserved "u-Seat" car, September 2007

Formations

Trains are formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Muroran end.^[3][4]

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5
Accommodation	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Reserved (u-Seat)	Non-reserved
Facilities		Toilet		Wheelchair space, toilet	Toilet

781 series EMU on Suzuran service at Sapporo Station, June 2001

From July 1992 until 30 September 2007, Suzuran services were formed of 4-car 781 series EMUs, with one reserved car (car 4), formed as shown below.^[5][6]

Car No.	1	2	3	4
Accommodation	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Reserved
Facilities	Toilet	Vending machine	Telephone, toilet

See also

• List of named passenger trains of Japan