Tokachi (train)

The Tokachi (とかち) is a limited express train service between Sapporo and Obihiro via the Hakodate and Nemuro Main Lines in Hokkaido, Japan, operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). As of November 2013, there are five trains per day running in both directions, with the fastest journey taking 2 hours 25 minutes (Super Tokachi 4).^[2]

Tokachi

KiHa 261-1000 series DMU on a Super Tokachi service at Obihiro Station, October 2007
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	Operational
Locale	Hokkaido
First service	1 February 1962 (Express) 1 September 1990 (Limited express) 27 July 1991 (Super Tokachi)
Current operator(s)	JR Hokkaido
Former operator(s)	JNR
Route
Termini	Sapporo Obihiro
Stops	11
Distance travelled	220.2 km (136.8 mi)
Average journey time	2 hours 30 minutes approx
Service frequency	5 return services daily
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, KiHa 283 series DMUs
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	Diesel
Operating speed	120 km/h (75 mph)[1]
Track owner(s)	JR Hokkaido

Stops

Trains stop at the following stations:

Sapporo - Shin-Sapporo - Minami-Chitose - Oiwake - Shin-Yubari - Shimukappu - Tomamu - Shintoku - Tokachi-Shimizu - Memuro - Obihiro

Rolling stock

Super Tokachi services are formed of 4-car (originally 5-car) KiHa 261 series and 5-car KiHa 283 series diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains.^[3]

Formations

All cars are no-smoking.

KiHa 261 series

Car No.	1	2	3	4
Accommodation	Green	Reserved	Reserved	Non-reserved

KiHa 283 series (Past)

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5
Accommodation	Green	Reserved	Reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved

Past

• 
  KiHa 183 series Tokachi service, September 1990
• 
  KiHa 183 series Super Tokachi service, 1993
• 
  KiHa 183 series Tokachi service, August 2009
• 
  KiHa 261 series Tokachi service, September 2021

History

The service commenced as the express Tokachi (十勝) on 1 February 1962, operating between Sapporo and Obihiro. The service continued until 30 September 1968.^[4]

The name was revived from 1 September 1990 as the Limited express Tokachi (とかち) using KiHa 183 series DMUs. From 27 July 1991, four Tokachi services were upgraded to become Super Tokachi using KiHa 183 series DMU sets including bilevel Green cars.^[4]

From 1 October 2007, new 5-car KiHa 261-1000 series tilting DMUs were introduced on Super Tokachi services, with KiHa 283 series tilting DMUs also used on some services.^[1]

From 1 October 2009, the remaining two Tokachi return services daily were upgraded to Super Tokachi using KiHa 261-1000 series DMUs.^[5] However, the service was returned to simply Tokachi from the start of the revised timetable on 14 March 2020.^{[citation needed]}

Discontinuation of catering services

From 1 November 2014, the refreshment trolley service and Green car complimentary drink service were discontinued, with refreshments sold instead in car 1.^[6] The refreshment service was discontinued entirely from 1 January 2015.^[6]