Hokuetsu

The Hokuetsu (北越) was a limited express train service in Japan formerly operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) between Kanazawa and Niigata from 1970 until March 2015.

Rolling stock
Hokuetsu services were normally formed of 6-car 485 series (sets T12–16) or refurbished 485-3000 series electric multiple unit EMU trainsets (sets R21–28), based at Niigata Depot.

Formations
The six-car 485 series sets were formed with car 1 at the Kanazawa end and car 6 at the Niigata end. All cars are no smoking.

The 485 series sets had toilets in each car, while 485-3000 series sets had toilets in 1, 2, 4, and 6 only.

History
The Hokuetsu was first introduced from 1 March 1970 as a limited express operating between Osaka and Niigata. From 2 October 1978, the operating route was shortened to Kanazawa to Niigata.

Hokuetsu services were discontinued from the start of the 14 March 2015 timetable revision, with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Nagano and Kanazawa.