The District of Joban Difference between revisions of "Ome Line"

Difference between revisions of "Ome Line"

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{{InfoBox route|title=Ome Line|depots=Ome Depot
{{InfoBox route|title=Ome Line|depots=Ome Depot
Kata Depot
Lamtsu Depot|rtmap_category=Route Map|operate_speed=120km/h|electrification=1500V DC
Iwate Depot|rtmap_category=Route Map|operate_speed=120km/h|electrification=1500V DC
25KV AC|track_gauge=1435mm|line_length=21km|technical_category=Technical Details|line_opened=7th Jan 1976|hist_category=History|ridership=380,982|rolling_stock=E44
25KV AC|track_gauge=1435mm|line_length=21km|technical_category=Technical Details|line_opened=7th Jan 1976|hist_category=History|ridership=380,982|rolling_stock=E44
E231|operators=Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)
E233|operators=Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)
Harmony Rail Transit (Joban)
Harmony Rail Transit (Joban)
Ome Railway Company|colorline1=CF04C6|line_type=Rural Commuter|service_category=Service Details|initials=OM|station_amount=14|terminus=Misato
Aotetsu|colorline1=CF04C6|line_type=Rural Commuter|service_category=Service Details|initials=OM|station_amount=14|terminus=Misato
Ome|locale=Lamtsu
Ome|locale=Lamtsu
Ome|owner=Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)|status=Operational|general_category=General Information|image_desc=An Ome Line train leaving Iwate station|image=OmeLine.jpg|rtmap_image=omelineroute.jpg}}
Ome|owner=Aotetsu|status=Operational|general_category=General Information|image_desc=An Ome Line train leaving Iwate station|image=OmeLine.jpg|rtmap_image=omelineroute.png}}


The Ome Line (青梅線, Ome-Sen) is a railway line owned and operated by [[Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)|Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu]]) in Sorano, connecting [[Misato Station|Misato]] and [[Fukuchiyama Station|Fukuchiyama.]] It is the major railway line of the Ome region, also passing through the Iwate area, approximately paralleling the Seiyo River 7km to the west. The line is one of the most important connections from Joban to Lamtsu, and is also one of the most heavily used freight corridors, with one of every 3 trains on the line transporting freight, after the opening of the [[Seiyo Shinkansen]]. The portion from Misato to Ome is one of the longest lines with significant service in the Lamtsu region.
The Ome Line (青梅線, Ome-Sen) is a railway line jointly owned and operated by [[Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)|Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu]]) and [[Aotetsu|Aotetsu (Ome Railway Company)]] in Sorano, connecting [[Misato Station|Misato]] and [[Fukuchiyama Station|Fukuchiyama.]] It is the major railway line of the Ome region, also passing through the Iwate area, approximately paralleling the Seiyo River 7km to the west. The line is one of the most important connections from Joban to Lamtsu, and is also one of the most heavily used freight corridors, with one of every 7 trains on the line transporting freight, after the opening of the [[Seiyo Shinkansen]]. The portion from Misato to Ome is one of the longest lines with significant service in the Lamtsu region.


== Basic Data ==
== Basic Data ==
Line 15: Line 14:
* Distance: 21.6 km
* Distance: 21.6 km
* Operators
* Operators
** Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) (Category 1)
** [[Aotetsu]] (Category 1)
*** Nanae-Ome: 10.9 km
**[[Shintetsu]] (Category 2)
*** Misato-Nanae: 8.1 km
*** Misato-Nanae: 8.1 km
*** Moseushi-Kata: 1.1km
** Ome Railway Company (Category 1)
*** Nanae-Ome: 10.9 km
** Harmony Rail Transit (Joban) (Category 1)
*** Ome-Fukuchiyama: 1.8km
* Track
* Track
** Quadruple
*** Moseushi-Kata
** Double
** Double
*** Misato-Kata
*** Entire line double-tracked
*** Moseushi-Ome
** Single: The rest
* Electrification:
** Misato-Ome: 1500V DC
** Ome-Fukuchiyama: 25kv AC
* Signalling:
** ATS-P:
*** Misato-Mihara
*** Akishima-Ome
** Automatic Block:
*** Moseushi-Akishima
** ATC
*** Moseushi-Kata
* Maximum Speed
* Maximum Speed
** Misato-Kata: 80km/h
** Misato-Kata: 80km/h
Line 50: Line 31:


== Stations ==
== Stations ==
The Ome Line has service broken into multiple parts, each operated by a different company. Although the entire line is owned by [[Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)]], only Limited Express trains such as the [[Tokiwa]] operate over the entire line. No train continues past Fukuchiyama, although some used to, due to the border between Joban and Sorano. The track between has since fallen into disuse.
The Ome Line has service broken into multiple parts, each operated by a different company. Although the entire line is owned by [[Aotetsu]], only Limited Express trains such as the [[Tokiwa]] operate over the entire line. No train continues past Fukuchiyama, although some used to, due to the border between Joban and Sorano. The track between has since fallen into disuse.


For the stopping patterns of the [[Tokiwa]] and [[Sunrise Yamagawa]], see their respective articles.
For the stopping patterns of the [[Tokiwa]] and [[Sunrise Yamagawa]], see their respective articles.
Line 65: Line 46:
!Distance
!Distance
!Between
!Between
!Semi-Express
!City
!Express
!Urban
![[Ome Liner]]
!Transfers
!Transfers
!Area
!Area
Line 76: Line 56:
|0.0
|0.0
| -
| -
|●
|●
|●
|●
|●
Line 92: Line 71:
[[Ome Heritage Line]]
[[Ome Heritage Line]]
|Misato City
|Misato City
| rowspan="3" |Lamtsu Capital City
| rowspan="4" |Lamtsu Capital City
|-
|-
|[[Moseushi Station|Moseushi]]
|[[Kata Station|Kata]]
|妹背牛
|賀田
|1.2
|1.2
|●
|●
|[[Yamate Line]]
[[Namboku Line]]
 
[[Iizuna Line]]
 
[[Ai Liner|Ai-Liner]]
|
|-
|[[Oku Station|Oku]]
|尾久
|1.5
|1.5
|1.5
|1.5
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|[[Kujukuri Line]]
|[[Kujukuri Line]]
Line 111: Line 103:
|●
|●
|●
|●
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|[[Mihara Line]]
|[[Mihara Line]]
|Mihara
|Mihara
Line 119: Line 110:
|5.0
|5.0
|1.1
|1.1
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|
| rowspan="4" |Hayakawa
| rowspan="4" |Hayakawa
Line 130: Line 120:
|5.6
|5.6
|0.6
|0.6
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|
|-
|-
Line 139: Line 128:
|6.8
|6.8
|1.2
|1.2
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|
|-
|-
Line 148: Line 136:
|7.2
|7.2
|1.4
|1.4
|
|●
|●
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|[[Namboku Line]]
|[[Namboku Line]]
|-
|-
Line 157: Line 144:
|8.1
|8.1
|0.9
|0.9
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|
|Iwate
|Iwate
|-
|
|
|
|
| colspan="2" |Continues
|
|
|
|
|}
|}
Nanae-Ome Block
Nanae-Ome Block
Line 180: Line 156:
!From Nanae
!From Nanae
!Between
!Between
!Semi-Express
!Express
!Ome Liner
!Transfers
!Transfers
!Area
!Area
Line 192: Line 165:
|0.0
|0.0
|0.9
|0.9
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|
| rowspan="4" |Iwate
| rowspan="4" |Iwate
Line 204: Line 174:
|2.6
|2.6
|2.6
|2.6
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|
|-
|-
Line 214: Line 181:
|3.8
|3.8
|1.2
|1.2
|●
|●
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|[[Iwate Line]]
|[[Iwate Line]]
[[Chiba Line]]
|-
|-
|[[Kusu Station|Kusu]]
|[[Kusu Station|Kusu]]
Line 224: Line 189:
|6.0
|6.0
|2.2
|2.2
|N.A
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|
|-
|-
Line 234: Line 196:
|8.2
|8.2
|2.2
|2.2
|N.A
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|
| rowspan="3" |Ome City
| rowspan="3" |Ome City
Line 245: Line 204:
|9.3
|9.3
|1.9
|1.9
|N.A
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|
|
|-
|-
Line 255: Line 211:
|10.9
|10.9
|1.6
|1.6
|N.A
|●
|●
|[[Namba Line]]
|[[Namba Line]]
|}
|}
Line 268: Line 221:
|1.6
|1.6
|N.A
|N.A
|●
|●
|[[Namba Line]]
|[[Namba Line]]
|-
|-
Line 278: Line 229:
|1.8
|1.8
|N.A
|N.A
|
|●
|
|
|}
|}
Line 290: Line 239:
!Route
!Route
|-
|-
|Ome Liner
|[[Ome Liner]]
|Misato-Ome
|Ome-Misato
|-
|[[Moonlight (Train)|Moonlight Misato]]
|Ome-Misato
|-
|[[Moonlight (Train)|Moonlight Lamtsu]]
|Ome-Lamtsu
|-
|[[Moonlight (Train)|Moonlight Hakone]]
|Ome-Tai Hing Forest (Via Mihara Line)
|-
| colspan="2" |Via [[Haebaru Main Line]]
|-
|-
|Tokiwa
|[[Ojika (Train)|Ojika]]
|Misato-Ome
|Shin-Haebaru - Misato
|-
|-
|Sunrise Yamagawa
|[[Haebaru (Train)|Haebaru]]
|Misato-Ome
|Shin-Haebaru - Misato
|-
|[[Aoi]]
|Shin-Haebaru - Ome
|}
|}


Line 303: Line 266:


=== Pre-2022 ===
=== Pre-2022 ===
The initial portion of the Ome Line was opened in 1967, from Mihara to Hayakawa. The line was built by Ome Railway Company, hoping to extend the line to the city of Ome, at the time comparable to Sakura in size. However, due to the extremely curvy alignment of the line, the travel times began to become so inflated that the line stopped at Nanae by 1985. The line then languished for 40 years, and due to a great amount of migration to the inner parts of the [[Lamtsu Capital City]], the passenger numbers slowly dwindled until the line started to lose money in 2003. Misato City Railway was soon to be aquired by Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) and the Ome Railway Company did not want the same to happen to them.
The initial portion of the Ome Line was opened in 1952, from Mihara to Hayakawa. The line was built by Ome Railway Company, hoping to extend the line to the city of Ome, at the time comparable to Sakura in size. However, due to the extremely curvy alignment of the line, the travel times began to become so inflated that the line stopped at Nanae by 1956. The line then languished for 7 years, and due to a great amount of migration to the inner parts of the [[Lamtsu Capital City]], the passenger numbers slowly dwindled until the line started to lose money in 1963.  


The Ome Line Upgrading and Extension project began in 2004, with the remaining dregs of money over the last 20 years and a very generous loan from the Misato Central Bank. The first stage of the project involved upgrading the line speed limits from 40-60 on the initial section, and purchasing specialised rolling stock to take tighter turns at higher speeds. This was completed in 2006. The second stage extended the line all the way to Ome, and ensuring that the line was as straight as possible. This was successfully achieved, and the Ome Railway Company was listed on the SSE 200 for 11 years from 2008 to 2019 with this sudden increase in profits.
The Ome Line Upgrading and Extension project began in 1964, with a very generous loan from the Misato Central Bank. The first stage of the project involved upgrading the line speed limits from 40-60 on the initial section, and purchasing specialised rolling stock to take tighter turns at higher speeds. This was completed in 1965. The second stage extended the line all the way to Ome, and ensuring that the line was as straight as possible. This was successfully achieved in 1970.


The Ome Railway Company partnered with Harmony Rail Transit (Joban) to extend the Ome Line from Ome to Central South, raising the line's potential to become the sole railway link between Lamtsu and Joban. The line was extended all the way in 2014, with the border switch occuring at Fukuchiyama Station. A cross-platform transfer with customs in-between allowed for services to be carried from Ome to Central South without too much issue. Ome Railway Company succesfully escaped Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)'s attempts to purchase it for a significant amount of time this way, even extending the line from Mihara to Misato.
The Ome Railway Company partnered with Harmony Rail Transit (Joban) to extend the Ome Line from Ome to Central South, raising the line's potential to become the sole railway link between Lamtsu and Joban. The line was extended all the way in 1975, with the border switch occuring at Fukuchiyama Station. A cross-platform transfer with customs in-between allowed for services to be carried from Ome to Central South without too much issue. Ome Railway Company succesfully escaped Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)'s attempts to purchase it for a significant amount of time this way, even extending the line from Mihara to Misato in 2003.


However, with the Joban Border Control Act of 2018, no train service became possible to cross the border except west of the Seiyo River. As the Ome Line ran quite clearly east of the Seiyo River, all service from Ome to Central South had to stop. However, as Fukuchiyama was still within the Sorano Border, the agreement of Harmony Rail Transit (Joban) to run the service still applied, and the service runs from Ome to Fukuchiyama (1 station) up till today. Ome Railway Company attempted to solve this issue with bridging buses and freight trucks, but a significant portion of the traffic was lost. In less than a month the profits plunged to $53,002 from 5,234,134 the month before.
Many other branch lines opened in this time, connecting to industries along the line.


The final blow to the Ome Railway Company was the [[Seiyo Shinkansen]]. Completed in 2020, the Seiyo Shinkansen linked Lamtsu and Central South, and by extension Joban, in almost 2/3 of the time that the Ome Line takes. The Ome Railway Company saw their profits plunge to negative, and they had to hand over some of the bridging services, further accelerating their decline.
* 1970: Iwate Branch Line 1.3km (Sold to [[Haebaru Railway Company|Nantetsu]] in 2023)
* 1974: Nishi-Kokura Branch Line (connecting to the main urban area of Kokura) 1.7km (Shut down in 2012)
* 1976: Tsuwano Freight Terminal Branch Line 0.3km (Shut down in 1990)
* 1980: Ome Line Iwate Bypass (now the Main Line)
 
The first threat to the monopoly of Aotetsu was the [[Seiyo Shinkansen]]. Completed in 2012, the Seiyo Shinkansen linked Lamtsu and Central South, and by extension Joban, in almost 2/3 of the time that the Ome Line takes.  
 
The final blow to the Ome Railway Company was the Joban Border Control Act of 2020, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. No train service became possible to cross the border except west of the Seiyo River. As the Ome Line ran quite clearly east of the Seiyo River, all service from Ome to Central South had to stop. However, as Fukuchiyama was still within the Sorano Border, the agreement of Harmony Rail Transit (Joban) to run the service still applied, and the service runs from Ome to Fukuchiyama (1 station) up till today. Ome Railway Company attempted to solve this issue with bridging buses and freight trucks, but a significant portion of the traffic was lost. The Line from Fukuchiyama was abandoned until late 2024.


In October 2021, The Ome Line portion from Ome to Nanae was handed over to [[Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)]], with the condition that Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) subsidises the rural services from Nanae to Iwate. The Ome Railway Company still operates other lines such as the [[Iwate Line]] (former Daigaku Line) , but they are a far cry from their former glory. The [[Vtuber Park Line]] would use the Ome Line tracks from Misato to Tsuwano.
In October 2021, The Ome Line portion from Ome to Nanae was handed over to [[Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)]], with the condition that Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) subsidises the rural services from Nanae to Iwate. The Ome Railway Company still operates other lines such as the [[Iwate Line]] (former Daigaku Line) , but they are a far cry from their former glory. The [[Vtuber Park Line]] would use the Ome Line tracks from Misato to Tsuwano.
Line 337: Line 307:


The finalised alignment was announced in May 2022, and completed in June that year. The viaduct runs from Misato all the way to Iwate, using the alignment and right-of-way reserved for the cancelled Ome Shinkansen project. The viaduct runs about halfway to Iwate, before entering a tunnel and emerging about 1km before Iwate, re-joining the Main Line.
The finalised alignment was announced in May 2022, and completed in June that year. The viaduct runs from Misato all the way to Iwate, using the alignment and right-of-way reserved for the cancelled Ome Shinkansen project. The viaduct runs about halfway to Iwate, before entering a tunnel and emerging about 1km before Iwate, re-joining the Main Line.
==== Breakup of Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) ====
When Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) was broken up in 2022, the Ome Line was returned to the control of [[Aotetsu]]. However, [[Shintetsu]] continues to operate trains up to Nanae.


== Rolling Stock ==
== Rolling Stock ==
Line 346: Line 319:
* HRT Series 341 Airport Express  
* HRT Series 341 Airport Express  


=== Ome Railway Company ===
=== Aotetsu ===


* E44-300
* E44-300


== Former Connecting Lines ==
== Former Connecting Lines ==
In the early days, the Ome Railway Company operated a huge number of branch lines off the Ome Line, but almost all of them have been closed, shut down or realigned since.
In the early days, Aotetsu operated a huge number of branch lines off the Ome Line, but almost all of them have been closed, shut down or realigned since.


=== Lamtsu Area ===
=== Lamtsu Area ===

Latest revision as of 17:41, 8 April 2023

Ome Line
An Ome Line train leaving Iwate station
General
Status Operational
Owner Aotetsu
Locale Lamtsu Ome
Termini Misato Ome
Stations 14
Initials OM
Service
Type Rural Commuter
Operator(s) Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)

Harmony Rail Transit (Joban)

Aotetsu
Depot(s) Ome Depot Lamtsu Depot
Rolling stock E44 E233
History
Opened 7th Jan 1976
Technical
Line Length 21km
Track gauge 1435mm
Electrification 1500V DC 25KV AC
Operating speed 120km/h
Route Map
Omelineroute.png


The Ome Line (青梅線, Ome-Sen) is a railway line jointly owned and operated by Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) and Aotetsu (Ome Railway Company) in Sorano, connecting Misato and Fukuchiyama. It is the major railway line of the Ome region, also passing through the Iwate area, approximately paralleling the Seiyo River 7km to the west. The line is one of the most important connections from Joban to Lamtsu, and is also one of the most heavily used freight corridors, with one of every 7 trains on the line transporting freight, after the opening of the Seiyo Shinkansen. The portion from Misato to Ome is one of the longest lines with significant service in the Lamtsu region.

Basic Data

  • Distance: 21.6 km
  • Operators
    • Aotetsu (Category 1)
      • Nanae-Ome: 10.9 km
    • Shintetsu (Category 2)
      • Misato-Nanae: 8.1 km
  • Track
    • Double
      • Entire line double-tracked
  • Maximum Speed
    • Misato-Kata: 80km/h
    • Kata-Mihara: 120km/h
    • Mihara-Oyamazaki: 80km/h
    • Oyamazaki-Oshima: 60km/h
    • Oshima-Hayakawa: 80km/h
    • Hayakawa-Ome: 120km/h
    • Ome:Fukuchiyama: 80km/h

Stations

The Ome Line has service broken into multiple parts, each operated by a different company. Although the entire line is owned by Aotetsu, only Limited Express trains such as the Tokiwa operate over the entire line. No train continues past Fukuchiyama, although some used to, due to the border between Joban and Sorano. The track between has since fallen into disuse.

For the stopping patterns of the Tokiwa and Sunrise Yamagawa, see their respective articles.

Legend

●: All trains stop

| : All trains pass

Misato-Nanae Block
Name Japanese Distance Between City Urban Transfers Area Region
Misato 美里 0.0 - Yamate Line

Namboku Line

Mihara Line

Seiyo Main Line

Lamtsu Main Line

Kujukuri Line

Ome Heritage Line

Misato City Lamtsu Capital City
Kata 賀田 1.2 1.2 Yamate Line

Namboku Line

Iizuna Line

Ai-Liner

Oku 尾久 1.5 1.5 | Kujukuri Line

Seiyo Main Line

Kata
Mihara 三原 3.9 2.4 Mihara Line Mihara
Oyamazaki 大山崎 5.0 1.1 Hayakawa Ome Province
Oshima 大島 5.6 0.6
Nishikawa 西川 6.8 1.2
Hayakawa 早川 7.2 1.4 Namboku Line
Nanae 七飯 8.1 0.9 Iwate

Nanae-Ome Block

Name Japanese Distance From Nanae Between Transfers Area Region
Nanae 七飯 8.1 0.0 0.9 Iwate Ome Province
Kokura 小倉 10.7 2.6 2.6
Iwate 岩手 11.9 3.8 1.2 Iwate Line

Chiba Line

Kusu 拿督 14.1 6.0 2.2
Takachiwa 立川 16.3 8.2 2.2 Ome City
Akishima 昭島 18.2 9.3 1.9
Ome 青梅 19.8 10.9 1.6 Namba Line

Ome-Fukuchiyama block

Ome 青梅 19.8 10.9 1.6 N.A Namba Line
Fukuchiyama 福知山 21.6 12.7 1.8 N.A

Special Services

The Ome Line has the most Limited Express services of all the Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) lines, due to it's special position as the primary rail link between Lamtsu and Joban.

Limited Express
Name Route
Ome Liner Ome-Misato
Moonlight Misato Ome-Misato
Moonlight Lamtsu Ome-Lamtsu
Moonlight Hakone Ome-Tai Hing Forest (Via Mihara Line)
Via Haebaru Main Line
Ojika Shin-Haebaru - Misato
Haebaru Shin-Haebaru - Misato
Aoi Shin-Haebaru - Ome

History

Pre-2022

The initial portion of the Ome Line was opened in 1952, from Mihara to Hayakawa. The line was built by Ome Railway Company, hoping to extend the line to the city of Ome, at the time comparable to Sakura in size. However, due to the extremely curvy alignment of the line, the travel times began to become so inflated that the line stopped at Nanae by 1956. The line then languished for 7 years, and due to a great amount of migration to the inner parts of the Lamtsu Capital City, the passenger numbers slowly dwindled until the line started to lose money in 1963.

The Ome Line Upgrading and Extension project began in 1964, with a very generous loan from the Misato Central Bank. The first stage of the project involved upgrading the line speed limits from 40-60 on the initial section, and purchasing specialised rolling stock to take tighter turns at higher speeds. This was completed in 1965. The second stage extended the line all the way to Ome, and ensuring that the line was as straight as possible. This was successfully achieved in 1970.

The Ome Railway Company partnered with Harmony Rail Transit (Joban) to extend the Ome Line from Ome to Central South, raising the line's potential to become the sole railway link between Lamtsu and Joban. The line was extended all the way in 1975, with the border switch occuring at Fukuchiyama Station. A cross-platform transfer with customs in-between allowed for services to be carried from Ome to Central South without too much issue. Ome Railway Company succesfully escaped Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)'s attempts to purchase it for a significant amount of time this way, even extending the line from Mihara to Misato in 2003.

Many other branch lines opened in this time, connecting to industries along the line.

  • 1970: Iwate Branch Line 1.3km (Sold to Nantetsu in 2023)
  • 1974: Nishi-Kokura Branch Line (connecting to the main urban area of Kokura) 1.7km (Shut down in 2012)
  • 1976: Tsuwano Freight Terminal Branch Line 0.3km (Shut down in 1990)
  • 1980: Ome Line Iwate Bypass (now the Main Line)

The first threat to the monopoly of Aotetsu was the Seiyo Shinkansen. Completed in 2012, the Seiyo Shinkansen linked Lamtsu and Central South, and by extension Joban, in almost 2/3 of the time that the Ome Line takes.

The final blow to the Ome Railway Company was the Joban Border Control Act of 2020, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. No train service became possible to cross the border except west of the Seiyo River. As the Ome Line ran quite clearly east of the Seiyo River, all service from Ome to Central South had to stop. However, as Fukuchiyama was still within the Sorano Border, the agreement of Harmony Rail Transit (Joban) to run the service still applied, and the service runs from Ome to Fukuchiyama (1 station) up till today. Ome Railway Company attempted to solve this issue with bridging buses and freight trucks, but a significant portion of the traffic was lost. The Line from Fukuchiyama was abandoned until late 2024.

In October 2021, The Ome Line portion from Ome to Nanae was handed over to Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu), with the condition that Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) subsidises the rural services from Nanae to Iwate. The Ome Railway Company still operates other lines such as the Iwate Line (former Daigaku Line) , but they are a far cry from their former glory. The Vtuber Park Line would use the Ome Line tracks from Misato to Tsuwano.

2022 Lamtsu Railway Rebuild

2022 Sora Train Derailment

In 2022, the Sora Train Derailment that triggered the rebuild in the first place occured on the Ome Line, specifically the section between Misato and Sora. The section had been built with sub-par exits from Misato Station to force the Ome Railway Company to lower the speeds of their trains, further slowing them down as it would compete with the Mihara Line. Due to this, the Ome Line from Misato to Tsuwano had extremely tight timetabling, with local trains sometimes entering the station just seconds in front of the passing express. This was a cause for concern among much of the population.

The Derailment was caused by overspeed in this section. The driver had overrun the platform at Mihara Station, causing him to lose 20 seconds. This was further exascerbated by the timetabling, which meant that his train would get stuck behind a local between Tsuwano and Yellowstones, further delaying the train by 1 minute. The driver then overrode the ATS out of stress, and it was also company policy to allow drivers to overspeed in delays of more than 30 seconds. However, the driver was not prepared to brake after passing Sora Station, as he still had 49 seconds of delay (according to the clock). The train rounded the 25km/h bend at 130km/h, and derailed and broke up, with the first car plunging into the river. The second car lay perpendicular to the track, destroying the third car, and the fourth car had the front crushed by the third car.

The driver was among the 300 casualties in the acccident. No one in the first 3 carriages survived, and those in the 4th carriage all sustained major injuries. Among the dead was the grandson of Hideo Sogo, the founder of Misato City Railway and considered to be the father of the Lamtsu Railways.

Realignment

The section of the Ome Line from Misato to Mihara was converted for heritage use, with a speed limit of 40km/h, or less than a tram. The Ome Heritage Line runs from Misato Station Platform 13, the site of the accident, and the only part of the original Misato station to have been preserved.

The Ome Line went through the most revisions in the plan for rebuilding. The initial plan called for a line to connect and use the Misato Freight Line tracks, this later became the Vtuber Park Line or Mihara Freight Line. The plan then changed to a Lamtsu Start, using the parts of the Misato Freight Line that had been seperated by Kata Station, before going underground to Mihara, bypassing the crowded Misato Station. However, Misato Railway Transport had reserved the right-of-way for new tunnels for the Kujukuri Line, and those would be breached by the proposed Ome Line alignment. Finally, the alignment was switched to using the aboveground viaduct formerly used by the Misato Light Rail, from Misato to Moseushi. Although the line passes right in front of Kata Station, there is no stop on the line.

The Line then heads north on a viaduct, before disappearing underground before the Sora Nature Reserve, and emerging right after the Lamtsu Vtuber Park. This actually also made an issue, with the Vtuber Park stating that the emerging tracks would breach the Kizuna Mural. Because of this, an extra 5 Million had to be spent moving the tunner exit 20 metres north, where it rejoins the past Ome Line tracks. This tunnel also breached the Ome Line tracks from Tsuwano to Mihara, so although service from Mihara to Lamtsu Vtuber Park used to be possible in theory, it is no longer possible due to this.

The line then continues on it's usual path from there.

Misato-Mihara Viaduct

The Misato-Mihara Viaduct was a project to link Misato Station and Mihara Station using straight, accelerated tracks to achieve speeds of 160km/h between Misato and Mihara, possibly Hayakawa, increasing the speed of the line significantly. It would also increase the maximum length of the Limited Express trains from 4 Standard Cars (25m)/5 Lamtsu Cars(20m) to 8 Standard Cars/10 Lamtsu Cars.

The finalised alignment was announced in May 2022, and completed in June that year. The viaduct runs from Misato all the way to Iwate, using the alignment and right-of-way reserved for the cancelled Ome Shinkansen project. The viaduct runs about halfway to Iwate, before entering a tunnel and emerging about 1km before Iwate, re-joining the Main Line.

Breakup of Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)

When Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) was broken up in 2022, the Ome Line was returned to the control of Aotetsu. However, Shintetsu continues to operate trains up to Nanae.

Rolling Stock

Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu)

  • E233-500
  • HRT Series 345 Limited Express
  • HRT Series 341 Airport Express

Aotetsu

  • E44-300

Former Connecting Lines

In the early days, Aotetsu operated a huge number of branch lines off the Ome Line, but almost all of them have been closed, shut down or realigned since.

Lamtsu Area

  • Vtuber Park Line
  • Iizuna Line

Iwate Area

  • Daigaku Line
  • Aoyoko Line
  • Kusu Line

Ome Area

  • Ome Freight Line
  • Akishima Line