Senzan Line - Timeline

Timeline

• September 29, 1929: Senzan East Line begins operation (Sendai — Ayashi). Kita-Sendai, Rikuzen-Ochiai, and Ayashi Stations open.
• August 30, 1931: Ayashi — Sakunami connection opens. Rikuzen-Shirasawa, Kumagane, and Sakunami Stations open.
• October 17, 1933: Senzan West Line begins operation (Uzen-Chitose — Yamadera). Yamadera Station opens.
• November 10, 1937: Sakunami — Yamadera connection opens. Senzan Line connects Sendai and Uzen-Chitose Stations. Sakunami — Yamadera tracks are electrified (1,500 V DC). Okunikkawa Station opens. Omoshiroyama signal box begins operation. Temporary stations Yatsumori and Omoshiroyama open.
• July 1, 1950: Takase Station opens.
• August 10, 1955: Rikuzen-Ochiai — Kumagane tracks are electrified (20 kV 50 Hz AC).
• September 5, 1957: Sendai — Rikuzen-Ochiai, Kumagane — Sakunami tracks are electrified (20 kV 50 Hz AC). ED45 (ED91) electric locomotive enters service.
• November 1, 1960: Yamadera — Uzen-Chitose (— Yamagata) is electrified (1,500 V DC). "Asahi" and "Gassan" semi-expresses begin operation.
• October 1, 1963: "Senzan" semi-express begins operation.
• March 5, 1966: "Asahi" and "Gassan" become expresses.
• September 8, 1968: Sakunami — Uzen-Chitose (— Yamagata) switched to 20 kV 50 Hz AC electrification. ED78 electric locomotive begins operation
• October 1, 1968: "Senzan" semi-express becomes an express.
• 1971: Kumagane Station becomes unmanned.
• October 2, 1978: "Senzan" express begins making stops at Ayashi station.
• May 1, 1982: "Asahi" express becomes "Benibana".
• November 15, 1982: "Senzan" express becomes a rapid train. "Gassan" ceases operations within the Senzan Line.
• February 1, 1984: Kitayama and Kunimi Stations open. Third platform built at Ayashi Station.
• March 14, 1985: Senzan Line utilizes CTC. Rikuzen-Ochiai, Rikuzen-Shirasawa, Sakunami, Okunikkawa, and Tateyama Stations become unmanned.
• March 1, 1987: Some staff from Sendai Station are transferred to Kitayama and Rikuzen-Ochiai Stations.
• March 20, 1987: Some staff from Sendai Station are transferred to Kunimi Station.
• March 21, 1987: Nishi-Sendai Hi-Land Station opens as a temporary station.
• April 1, 1987: Senzan Line becomes part of JR East and JR Freight.
• June 20, 1987: Train exchange equipment service is started at Kunimi Station.
• March 13, 1988: Omoshiroyama Temporary Station becomes a station and is renamed Omoshiroyama-Kōgen Station.
• November 18, 1988: Tōshōgū Station opens.
• March 10, 1990: 719 series EMUs enter service on the Senzan Line.
• September 1, 1990: The "Tsugaru" express continues operations on the Senzan Line due to construction of the Yamagata Shinkansen.
• March 16, 1991: Kuzuoka Station opens.
• August 27, 1991: "Tsubasa" express is diverted over the Senzan Line due to construction of the Yamagata Shinkansen.
• July 1, 1992: Diversion of the "Tsubasa" express over the Senzan Line ceases with the completion of the Yamagata Shinkansen.
• December 1, 1993: "Tsugaru" express ceases operations.
• October 1998: Freight services temporarily stop.
• December 1999: The Senzan Line up to Uzen-Chitose is converted to double-track with the expansion of the Yamagata Shinkansen.
• April 1, 2001: The "Senzan" Weekend Rapid becomes the "Holiday Senzan". 455 series EMUs are replaced by 719 series trains formerly used on the Tōhoku Main Line.
• December 1, 2001: ATS-Ps emergency train stop system is introduced in the Sendai — Ayashi area.
• April 1, 2002: Freight services cease on the Senzan Line.
• October 16, 2004: The names "Senzan" and "Holiday Senzan" for the rapid trains are discontinued. Rapid trains make more frequent stops at Kunimi, Rikuzen-Ochiai, and Uzen-Chitose.