Tanigawa limited express service operated by 185 series EMUs in the 1980s
200 series shinkansen train on Tanigawa service near Gala-Yuzawa Station
E1 series at Takasaki Station
An E2 series Shinkansen train
E4 series in January 2007
History
The name Tanigawa (written as "谷川") was first introduced on 15 November 1982 for limited express services operating between Ueno in Tokyo and Minakami on the Jōetsu Line.[4]
From 1 October 1997, the name (written as "たにがわ") was used for the all-stations services between Tokyo and Echigo-Yuzawa on the Jōetsu Shinkansen, replacing the previous Toki all-stations services. During the winter skiing season, trains terminate and start at the seasonal Gala-Yuzawa Station.[1]
E2 series 10-car sets were introduced on three return Tanigawa services daily from 26 January 2013, operating at a maximum speed of 240 km/h (150 mph).[2][5]
E2 series sets were removed from Tanigawa services (as well as the faster Toki services on the Joetsu Shinkansen) on the 18 March 2023 timetable revision as the line underwent an operating speed increase from 240 to 275 km/h (149 to 171 mph).[3]
^ ab上越新幹線でE2系の定期運用再開 [E2 series returns to regular duties on Joetsu Shinkansen]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
^ ab"JR東日本,3月18日にダイヤ改正を実施" [JR East Implements Schedule Revision Effective 18 March 2023]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 16 December 2022. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
^ 列車名鑑1995 [Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995.
^E2系車両を上越新幹線に投入! [E2 series trains to be introduced on Joetsu Shinkansen] (PDF). News Release (in Japanese). Japan: East Japan Railway Company. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2012.