The Gotōji Line (後藤寺線, Gotōji-sen) is a Japanese railway line in Fukuoka Prefecture connecting Tagawa-Gotōji Station in the city of Tagawa and Shin-Iizuka Station in the city of Iizuka. It is part of the JR Kyushu network.

Gotōji Line
Overview
StatusIn operation
OwnerJR Kyushu
LocaleFukuoka Prefecture
Termini
Stations6
Service
TypeHeavy rail
Operator(s)JR Kyushu
Rolling stockKiHa 31 series DMU, KiHa 40 series DMU
History
Opened1897
Technical
Line length13.3 km (8.3 mi)
Number of tracksEntire line single tracked
CharacterRural
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
ElectrificationNone
Operating speed85 km/h (53 mph)
Route map

Basic data

edit

Station list

edit
  • All stations are located in Fukuoka Prefecture.
  • Rapid trains, which only operate in the direction of Tagawa-Gotōji, stop at stations marked "●" and pass stations marked "↑".
No. Station Japanese Distance (km) Rapid Transfers Location
JJ  06  Tagawa-Gotōji 田川後藤寺 0.0 JI Hitahikosan Line
Heisei Chikuhō Railway Itoda Line
Tagawa
JJ  05  Funao 船尾 3.4  
JJ  04  Chikuzen-Shōnai 筑前庄内 7.1   Iizuka
JJ  03  Shimo-Kamoo 下鴨生 8.3   Kama
JJ  02  Kami-Mio 上三緒 10.2   Iizuka
JJ  01  Shin-Iizuka 新飯塚 13.3 JC Fukuhoku Yutaka Line (Chikuhō Main Line)

History

edit

The Hōshū Railway Co. opened the central section of the line in 1897 to haul freight, the company merging with the Kyushu Railway Co. in 1901, which extended the line to Kami-Mio in 1902. That company was nationalised in 1909, and the line extended to Shin-Iizuka in 1920 with passenger services to Funao introduced at that time.

The Kyushu Industrial Railway Co. opened the Funao - Tagawa-Gotoji section in 1922 to service a cement plant. That company was nationalised in 1943, creating the current line. Passenger services were extended to Tagawa-Gotoji in 1945, and freight services ceased in 1987.

Former connecting lines

edit

Shimo-Kamoo station -

  • A 1 km line to the Asakasa coal mine operated from 1926 until 1945.
  • The 8 km Urushio line to Shimo-Yamada (on the Kami-Yamada line, closed in 1986) opened between 1908 and 1913 as a freight line, with passenger services introduced in 1920. Freight services ceased in 1974, and the line closed in 1986.

References

edit