Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen
| Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen | |||
|---|---|---|---|
N700S-8000 series set Y4 on the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen in October 2022 | |||
| Overview | |||
| Native name | 西九州新幹線 | ||
| Owner | JRTT | ||
| Locale | Kyushu (Saga and Nagasaki Prefectures) | ||
| Termini |
| ||
| Stations | 5 | ||
| Color on map | Pink (#EF59A1) | ||
| Service | |||
| Type | High-speed rail | ||
| System | Shinkansen | ||
| Services | Kamome | ||
| Operator(s) | JR Kyushu | ||
| Depot(s) | Omura | ||
| Rolling stock | N700S-8000 series | ||
| History | |||
| Opened | 23 September 2022 (Nagasaki to Takeo Onsen) | ||
| Extended | TBD (Takeo Onsen to Hakata) | ||
| Technical | |||
| Line length | 66.0 km (41.0 mi) | ||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
| Minimum radius | 4,000 m (2.5 mi; 13,000 ft) | ||
| Electrification | Overhead line, 25 kV 60 Hz AC | ||
| Operating speed | 260 km/h (162 mph) | ||
| Signalling | Cab signalling | ||
| Train protection system | KS-ATC | ||
| Maximum incline | 3.0% | ||
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The Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen (西九州新幹線, Nishi Kyūshū Shinkansen; lit. 'West Kyushu Shinkansen') is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed rail line on the northwest part of Kyushu Island that is operated by the Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu). The line is informally known as the Nagasaki Shinkansen.
The 66 km (41 mi) section of the line between Takeo-Onsen and Nagasaki opened on 23 September 2022. It is the shortest Shinkansen high-speed railway line in Japan.
The entire line is envisioned to connect Hakata to Nagasaki by connecting to the Kyushu Shinkansen line, and potentially become an extension of the San'yō Shinkansen in Honshu. However, as of 2022, the route of the segment east of Takeo-Onsen to Hakata via Saga has yet to be determined, with construction yet to commence. It remains unclear when the entire line will be completed. For the foreseeable future, the Relay Kamome limited express service will continue to provide a connection to Hakata.
Despite only part of the line opening, it provides a significant decrease in travel time between Hakata and Nagasaki from approximately 2 hours to 1 hour 30 minutes.