Izumo (train)


The Izumo was a limited express overnight sleeping car train service in Japan operated by Japanese National Railways and later by West Japan Railway Company, which ran from to and in Shimane Prefecture until March 2006.

Rolling stock

In its latter years, the Izumo service was operated using JR East 24/25 series sleeping cars based at Oku Depot in Tokyo. Services were however operated by JR West staff.

History

The Izumo service commenced on 29 June 1947, as a "semi-express" service operating between and . From 19 November 1956, this was upgraded to become an "express" service operating between and. From 15 March 1972, the train was upgraded to become a "limited express" service.
From 10 July 1998, one pair of Izumo services was replaced by new 285 series electric multiple unit trains running as the Sunrise Izumo together with the Sunrise Seto via. The remaining pair of services followed the original route, travelling over the Sanin Main Line west of, via.
The last remaining Izumo services were withdrawn from the start of the revised timetable on 18 March 2006.