Tōkai (train)

Tōkai

373 series EMU on a Tōkai service, March 2006
Overview
Service type	Limited express (from 1996)
First service	1955 (Semi express) 1996 (Limited express Wide View Tōkai)
Last service	2007
Current operator(s)	JR East (Tokyo–Atami) JR Central (Atami–Shizuoka)
Route
Line(s) used	Tōkaidō Main Line
Technical
Rolling stock	373 series (1996–2007)

The Tōkai (東海) was a limited express service which connected Tokyo Station and Shizuoka Station in Japan. The service was discontinued in March 2007 due to declining passenger numbers.

Stops

Trains stopped at the following stations:

Tokyo – Shinagawa – Kawasaki – Yokohama – Ōfuna – Hiratsuka – Odawara – Yugawara – Atami – Mishima – Numazu – Fuji – Shimizu – Shizuoka

Rolling stock

• 1955–1957: Locomotive-hauled
• 1957–1958: JNR 80 series EMUs
• 1958– March 1982: JNR 153 series EMUs
• 1968–1996: JNR 165 series EMUs
• 16 March 1996 – 17 March 2007: JR Central 373 series EMUs (as Wide View Tōkai)

• 
  A 153 series EMU in 1982
• 
  165 series EMU on a Tōkai express service in 1986

History

The Tōkai service was first introduced by Japanese National Railways (JNR) on 20 July 1955 as a locomotive-hauled semi express train operating between Tokyo and Nagoya. The train was upgraded to "express" status from 5 March 1966. From 16 March 1996, the service was upgraded to become the limited express Wide View Tōkai using pairs of new 373 series 3-car EMU trainsets, with two return workings daily between Tokyo and Shizuoka.