Overview
Before 1997, the right-of-way currently belonging to the Shinano Railway was a part of the Shin'etsu Main Line of East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and served as the main train route connecting Nagano and Tokyo. Upon completion of the Nagano Shinkansen in 1997, JR East transferred all long distance operations to the shinkansen, and control of the Shin'etsu Main Line between Karuizawa and Shinonoi was handed over to the newly formed Shinano Railway, which is majority owned by the Nagano Prefectural Government. Today, the line is a vital commuter transport route for communities in the east and north of Nagano Prefecture.
The line is electrified and double-tracked with a track gauge of 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) for its entire length. The speed limit is 100 km/h (reduced from 120 km/h as the Shin'etsu Main Line).
Like many railways in rural parts of Japan, the line faces problems concerning decreased ridership and revenue. In recent years, additional stations have been opened at Tekuno-Sakaki, Yashiro-kōkō-mae, and Shinano-Kokubunji in order to increase passenger numbers. Also, driver-only operation has been introduced to most of the line in order to reduce personnel costs.
Read more about this topic: Shinano Railway Line