Lilac (train)
Encyclopedia
The was a limited express
train service in Hokkaido
, Japan, operated by Japanese National Railways
(JNR) and later Hokkaido Railway Company
(JR Hokkaido) between 1980 and 2007.
EMUs based at Sapporo. All cars were non-reserved except for car 4.
The Lilac name was revived from 1 October 1980 as a limited express service operating between and via , replacing previous Ishikari
(Sapporo – Asahikawa) limited express and Chitose (Chitose and Muroran Main Line) express services.
From 1 July 1992, with the opening of , Lilac services were changed to operate between New Chitose Airport and Asahikawa via Sapporo, where trains reversed. Between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport, trains operated as the Airport rapid service. At the same time, the services to Mururan were split off to become the Suzuran
limited express. The Lilac services supplemented the Super White Arrow
services between Sapporo and Asahikawa, which stopped at fewer stations. The Lilac services operated hourly, departing from Sapporo and Asahikawa at 30 minutes past the hour, taking 1 hour 30 minutes.
Trains were repainted from the original JNR livery into a new livery based on that of the Super Tokachi
between February 1992 and March 1993.
Improved "u-Seat" reserved seating accommodation (rows 1 to 7) was added to half of car 4 between March and June 2001.
Lilac services were discontinued from the start of the 1 October 2007 timetable revision, when they were replaced together with the former Super White Arrow services, and the 781 series EMUs were retired.
Limited express
A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes.- Japan :...
train service in Hokkaido
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, Japan, operated by Japanese National Railways
Japanese National Railways
, abbreviated or "JNR", was the national railway network of Japan from 1949 to 1987.-History:The term Kokuyū Tetsudō "state-owned railway" originally referred to a network of railway lines operated by nationalized companies under the control of the Railway Institute following the nationalization...
(JNR) and later Hokkaido Railway Company
Hokkaido Railway Company
The is one of the constituent companies of Japan Railways Group , and thus often known as . It operates intercity rail services in Hokkaido, Japan. The company introduced Kitaca, a smart card ticketing system, from autumn 2008....
(JR Hokkaido) between 1980 and 2007.
Rolling stock
Services were normally formed of 4-car 781 series781 series
The was an AC electric multiple unit formerly operated by Japan National Railways and later Hokkaido Railway Company on limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan, between 1980 and 2007.-4-car sets :...
EMUs based at Sapporo. All cars were non-reserved except for car 4.
History
The Lilac was first introduced on 1 June 1963 as an express service operating between and via . This service was discontinued from 1 October 1968 when it was merged with the Niseko express.The Lilac name was revived from 1 October 1980 as a limited express service operating between and via , replacing previous Ishikari
Ishikari (train)
The was a limited express train service in Japan operated by Japanese National Railways between and in Hokkaido, Japan, between 1975 and 1980.-Rolling stock:...
(Sapporo – Asahikawa) limited express and Chitose (Chitose and Muroran Main Line) express services.
From 1 July 1992, with the opening of , Lilac services were changed to operate between New Chitose Airport and Asahikawa via Sapporo, where trains reversed. Between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport, trains operated as the Airport rapid service. At the same time, the services to Mururan were split off to become the Suzuran
Suzuran
is the name of a limited express train service operated by Hokkaido Railway Company between and in Hokkaido, Japan. 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 and Sapporo. "Suzuran" is the...
limited express. The Lilac services supplemented the Super White Arrow
Super White Arrow
The , and later were limited express train services operated by Hokkaido Railway Company on the Hakodate Main Line between the cities of Sapporo and Asahikawa in Hokkaido, Japan, between 1986 and 2007.-History:...
services between Sapporo and Asahikawa, which stopped at fewer stations. The Lilac services operated hourly, departing from Sapporo and Asahikawa at 30 minutes past the hour, taking 1 hour 30 minutes.
Trains were repainted from the original JNR livery into a new livery based on that of the Super Tokachi
Super Tokachi
The is a limited express train service between and in Hokkaido, Japan, operated by Hokkaido Railway Company . As of October 2009, there are five trains per day running in both directions, with the fastest journey taking 2 hours 25 minutes .-History:The service commenced as the express on 1...
between February 1992 and March 1993.
Improved "u-Seat" reserved seating accommodation (rows 1 to 7) was added to half of car 4 between March and June 2001.
Lilac services were discontinued from the start of the 1 October 2007 timetable revision, when they were replaced together with the former Super White Arrow services, and the 781 series EMUs were retired.