Yokogawara Line

Yokogawara Line
A 610-series passenger train on the Yokogawara Line
Overview
Native name	横河原線
Owner	Iyotetsu
Locale	Ehime Prefecture
Termini	Matsuyama City Yokogawara
Stations	15
Website	http://www.iyotetsu.co.jp
Service
Type	Heavy rail
History
Opened	7 May 1893 (1893-05-07)
Technical
Line length	13.2 km (8.2 mi)
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	Overhead line, DC 750 V
Operating speed	65 km/h (40 mph)
Route map

The Yokogawara Line (横河原線, Yokogawara-sen) is a 13.2 km railway line owned by Iyotetsu. The line connects Matsuyama with Tōon in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. The line runs eastwards from Matsuyama City Station, terminating at Yokogawara Station.

History

The line opened to Hirai in 1893, and was later extended to Yokogawara in 1899. Iyotetsu attempted to close the section between Hirai and Yokogawara and convert it into a bus line in 1965, when the Morimatsu line branching off from Iyo-Tachibana was closed due to deficits and lack of passengers. The passing municipalities heavily opposed this attempt, and encouraged Iyotetsu to electrify the line to increase passengers. The Japan National Route 11, which also took a similar route suffered from heavy road congestions near Matsuyama, making travel difficult. Iyotetsu later decided to keep the section in operation and electrify the entire line. The electrification works were completed in 1967. Through services with the Takahama Line commenced in 1981. The usage of the line increased following the electrification and the number of the services increased. Aidai Igakubu Minamiguchi Station opened in 1981.

Operations

The line is electrified with overhead lines and is single-tracked for the entire line.

The majority of rail services continue past Matsuyama City Station on the Takahama Line to Takahama Station. Trains arrive roughly every fifteen minutes.

Stations

All stations are located in Ehime Prefecture.

Number	Picture	Name		Distance (km)	Connections	Location
IY10		Matsuyama City	松山市	0.0	Iyotetsu: ■Takahama Line (through service), ■Gunchū Line Iyotetsu Trams: ■Route 1, ■Route 2, ■Route 4, ■Route 6	Matsuyama
IY11		Ishitegawa-kōen	石手川公園	0.8
IY12		Iyo-Tachibana	いよ立花	1.4
IY13		Fukuonji	福音寺	2.9
IY14		Kita-Kume	北久米	3.9
IY15		Kume	久米	4.5
IY16		Takanoko	鷹ノ子	5.6
IY17		Hirai	平井駅	6.9
IY18		Umenomoto	梅本	8.2
IY19		Ushibuchidanchi-mae	牛渕団地前	9.0		Tōon
IY20		Ushibuchi	牛渕	10.0
IY21		Tanokubo	田窪	10.9
IY22		Minara	見奈良	11.6
IY23		Aidai Igakubu Minamiguchi	愛大医学部南口	12.4
IY24		Yokogawara	横河原	13.6

Ridership

References:

No.	Station	Passengers (2023)
IY10	Matsuyama City	16,305
IY11	Ishitegawa-kōen	481
IY12	Iyo-Tachibana	1,846
IY13	Fukuonji	1,613
IY14	Kita-Kume	1,160
IY15	Kume	2,156
IY16	Takanoko	851
IY17	Hirai	833
IY18	Umenomoto	1,350
IY19	Ushibuchidanchi-mae	774
IY20	Ushibuchi	209
IY21	Tanokubo	662
IY22	Minara	615
IY23	Aidai Igakubu Minamiguchi	1,192
IY24	Yokogawara	1,086