Japanese limited express train service
The Shiosai (しおさい) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It runs from Tokyo and Shinjuku to Chōshi on the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture.
Station stops
Shiosai services operate over the Sōbu Main Line, stopping at the stations listed below. No services operate as "Local" all-stations services in any section; this characteristic is different from that of Wakashio ltd.exp..[1][2][3]
Tokyo - Kinshichō - Chiba - Sakura - Yachimata - Narutō - Yokoshiba - Yōkaichiba - Asahi - Iioka - Chōshi
- No.1 & 12 trains also stop at Funabashi station.
- No.2, 4 & 13 trains also stop at Yotsukaidō station.
Rolling stock
An E257-500 series 5-car set on a Shiosai service in January 2012
Shiosai services are operated using Makuhari-based 9-car 255 series EMU and 10-car E257-500 series EMU formations. The E257-500 series formations have no Green (first class) cars.[4][2]
Past rolling stock
History
165 series EMU on a special Inubō revival working in November 2002
The Shiosai service was introduced from 10 March 1975 following the completion of electrification of the Sōbu Main Line in October 1974, using 9-car 183 series EMUs, replacing five of the seven daily diesel-powered Inubō (犬吠) express services that operated between Shinjuku/Ryōgoku and Chōshi.[8]
From the start of the November 1982 timetable revision, further 183 series EMUs were drafted in, displaced from Toki limited express services following the opening of the Joetsu Shinkansen,[9] and the remaining Inubō express services were discontinued and absorbed into the Shiosai services, giving seven return workings daily.[8]
From the start of the revised timetable on 10 December 2005, 255 series 9-car EMUs were introduced on Shiosai services.[5] From the same date, services were made entirely no-smoking.[5]
From the start of the 14 March 2015 timetable revision, all Shiosai services started and terminated at Tokyo Station, with no services operating from Shinjuku.[10]
