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The Shōnan-Shinjuku Line is the nickname for the route connecting Ōmiya Station in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, and Ōfuna Station in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, via Shinjuku Station. Service began with the December 1, 2001 timetable revision, operating as a route connecting stations like Utsunomiya Station in Tochigi Prefecture and Takasaki Station in Gunma Prefecture to stations in Kanagawa Prefecture such as Zushi Station, Odawara Station, and Atami Station,Via major stations in Saitama Prefecture such as Ōmiya Station and Urawa Station, as well as Tōkyō's sub-central business districts like Ikebukuro Station, Shinjuku Station, and Shibuya Station.
At its opening in 2001, the line used various train types including the 115 series, 211 series, 215 series, and E217 series. Currently, only the E231 series and E233 series are in operation.
The Shōnan-Shinjuku Line consists of two systems: one where the Yokosuka Line and Utsunomiya Line operate through services, and another where the Tōkaidō Line and Takasaki Line operate through services. The opening of the Shōnan-Shinjuku Line significantly improved convenience by enabling direct, transfer-free travel from northern Kantō areas like Tochigi and Gunma Prefectures through Tōkyō's sub-central business districts to the Yokohama, Kamakura, and Shōnan regions.
Previously, traveling from within Kanagawa Prefecture to Shibuya or Shinjuku Station required transfers at Shinagawa Station (to the Yamanote Line) or Tōkyō Station (to the Chūō Line). Direct service drastically reduced travel time, making it a vital commuter and student transportation option. Furthermore, it plays a key role in alleviating congestion on the Saikyō Line, which experiences particularly heavy crowding during morning and evening rush hours.
After departing Ōmiya Station, the train runs on the Tōhoku Freight Line for a while. It runs parallel to the Tōhoku Main Line and Keihin-Tōhoku Line, stopping only at major stations like Urawa Station and Akabane Station. Near Kami-Nakazato Station on the Keihin-Tōhoku Line, it departs from the Tōhoku Main Line and runs on the Yamanote Freight Line, running parallel to the Yamanote Line. It passes through stations particularly busy in the metropolitan area, such as Ikebukuro Station, Shinjuku Station, and Shibuya Station, heading for Ōsaki Station. Especially between Shinjuku Station and the Osaki Station area, it shares tracks with various trains, including the Narita Express limited express, Saikyō Line trains, direct Rinkai Line trains, direct Sotetsu Line trains, and freight trains. After leaving Ōsaki Station, it parts ways with the Yamanote Line, runs alongside the Tōkyō General Rolling Stock Center, and merges with the Yokosuka Line. After merging, it runs on the Yokosuka Line, heading toward Zushi Station or entering the Tōkaidō Line near Totsuka Station and proceeding toward Odawara Station (due to filming constraints, all trains in this DLC run on the Yokosuka Line tracks).
Enjoy the changing scenery from the bustling office districts and entertainment areas of Tōkyō's sub-central business districts to the commercial areas and commuter towns of Kanagawa Prefecture, along with various driving views such as running alongside Shinkansen, conventional lines, and other railway lines.
□Ōmiya Station
This station is unusual in the Tōkyō metropolitan area, as both passenger and freight trains use the same platform and tracks to pass each other while heading in various directions. It's also a fun station for train enthusiasts, with special trains and limited express services running here.
□Ōmiya ～ Ōmiya Rail yard
Immediately after leaving Ōmiya, the tracks split toward Ueno and Shinjuku. Occasionally, a local train runs parallel, and you might catch the eye of a passenger.
Also, the “Ōmiya Yard Cherry Blossoms,” said to have been planted by staff over 40 years ago, reach their peak bloom from late February to March.
□Ōmiya Rail yard
Freight trains and special trains make extended stops for schedule adjustments. Cargo bound for destinations as far south as Kyūshū and as far north as Hokkaidō passes through, and just by reading the container markings, you can guess their various destinations.
□Ōmiya Rail yard ～ Urawa
At this section, the tracks split: one set heads toward the Musashino Line (Ōmiya Branch Line) and the other toward Shinjuku. The tracks that dip down to the right are for the Musashino Line, where you can board the “Musashino” and “Shimousa” trains.
□Urawa Station
Until 2012, there were no platforms on the Shōnan-Shinjuku Line tracks, requiring transfers for Shinjuku-bound trains. However, the construction of new platforms enabled direct service to Shinjuku, significantly improving convenience and helping alleviate congestion on trains bound for Ueno. The platform's curved shape results in slightly unique braking characteristics.
□Urawa ～ Kawaguchi
The section between Warabi Station and Nishi-kawaguchi Station on the Keihin-Tōhoku Line is the only stretch between Ōmiya Station and Shinjuku Station where trains can run at 120 km/h. When Urawa Station lacked platforms, some trains had to run at 120 km/h to stay on schedule. Currently, trains primarily run at 120 km/h when they are delayed.
□Kawaguchi Station
There is a connecting line linking the Ueno/Tōkyō area and the Shinjuku area. In the event of an emergency, this connecting line is utilized to maintain transport capacity. In the past, it seems there were also trains that regularly used this connecting line.
□Kawaguchi ～ Akabane
The Arakawa River is the major river and the Shingashi River is the smaller river along the border between Saitama Prefecture and Tōkyō. In spring, the cherry blossoms along the riverbanks are at their best. In winter, if the air is clear, you can even see Mount Fuji.
People can be seen enjoying baseball and soccer on the riverbanks beneath the railroad tracks, and water activities on the river itself.
□Akabane Station
This station features numerous curves, with particularly steep inclines near the front. The platform length is also short, making it a station requiring special caution for braking operations.
□Akabane ～Tabata Rail yard
A branch line leads toward the Joban Line, connecting to the Sumida River Freight Terminal where long-distance freight trains arrive and depart. Asukayama Park is located next to Ōji Station. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, and during the rainy season, hydrangeas bloom, attracting many visitors.
□Tabata Rail yard ～ Ikebukuro
This section features numerous speed restrictions due to curves, and some trains require frequent acceleration and deceleration, so extra caution is required. It also contains the Yamanote Line's only Second Nakazato level crossing.
□Ikebukuro ～ Shinjuku
Due to the bowl-shaped alignment, caution is required to avoid exceeding the maximum speed limit on the line section. Additionally, Shinjuku Station has numerous turnout restrictions and signals, and as it shares platforms with the Saikyō Line, particular attention must be paid to signal indications.
From the vicinity of Takadanobaba Station on the Yamanote Line, it also runs parallel to the Seibu Shinjuku Line.
□Shinjuku ～ Shibuya
You can see the platform reserved exclusively for the Imperial Family (the Imperial Platform), installed in 1925.
□Shibuya Station
Unlike the current platform location, the platform is situated away from the Yamanote Line.
The footage shows the relocation work currently underway.
□Ebisu ～ Ōsaki
Meguro Station and Gotanda Station are stations with platforms only for the Yamanote Line. When passing through Gotanda Station, you can see the Tōkyu Ikegami Line.
□Ōsaki ～ Nishi-Ōi
The Tōkyō General Rolling Center, which handles maintenance for trains like the Yamanote Line and Keihin-Tōhoku Line and functions as a rolling stock factory, can be seen on the left.
As the Yokosuka Line merges from the right, the Tōkyu Ōimachi Line crosses overhead, and the Tōkaidō Shinkansen runs parallel, creating a dense concentration of tracks.
□Nishi-Ōi ～ Musashi-Kosugi
It runs parallel to the Tōkaidō Shinkansen. Just before Musashi-Kosugi Station, it crosses the Tama River, entering Kanagawa Prefecture from Tōkyō Metropolis. Numerous high-rise condominiums can be seen around Musashi-Kosugi Station.
□Musashi-Kosugi ～ Shin-Kawasaki
Beyond Musashi-Kosugi Station, there is a junction branching toward Hazawa. Direct trains to the Sagami Railway Line and the limited express “Shōnan” branch off here.
Near Shin-Kawasaki Station, the line passes alongside the JR Freight rolling stock depot and the Shin-Tsurumi Locomotive Depot.
□Shin-Kawasaki ～ Yokohama
Merges Tōkaidō Line and Keihin-Tōhoku Line and crosses the Tsurumi River.
Near Tsurumi Station on the Keihin-Tōhoku Line, you can see numerous lines, including the intersection with the Tsurumi Line and the parallel running with the Keikyu Line.
Also, just before Higashi-Kanagawa Station on the Keihin-Tōhoku Line, you can see the scene where it crosses the Yokohama Line as it runs.
□Yokohama ～ Hodogaya
After departing Yokohama Station, the line runs parallel to the Sagami Railway Main Line until just before Hodogaya Station.
The stations passed are Hiranuma-bashi Station and Nishi-Yokohama Station; at Nishi-Yokohama Station, you can also see Sagami Railway trains parked in the sidings.
□Hodogaya ～ Higashi-Totsuka
From the tunnel just before Higashi-Totsuka Station, it runs parallel to the Tōkaidō Freight Line coming from the Yokohama-Hazawa direction.
In addition to freight trains, some limited express “Shonan” trains also run on this freight line, and you can enjoy running them in the currently available “Tōkaidō Freight Line” DLC.
□Higashi-Totsuka ～ Totsuka
Just before Totsuka Station, the line crosses over the Tōkaidō Line. This allows the Tōkaidō Line and Yokosuka Line to run in the same direction at Totsuka Station, enabling transfers between them on the same platform.
□Totsuka ～ Ōfuna
Immediately after exiting Totsuka Station, the tracks diverge via a crossover line, splitting into the Yokosuka Line direction and the Tōkaidō Line direction.
For this DLC, due to filming constraints, all trains proceed toward the Yokosuka Line direction.
□Ōfuna Station
This station is the terminus of the Keihin-Tōhoku・Negishi Lines. It also has two platforms with four tracks serving the Tōkaidō Line and Yokosuka Line, making it a station with a large station area.
Beyond this station lies the Kamakura Rolling Stock Depot, and there are trains originating from Ōfuna Station that depart from the depot.
□Ōfuna ～ Kita-Kamakura
Parting ways with the Tōkaidō Main Line, we proceed toward the Miura Peninsula.
Along the way, we cross paths with the Shōnan Monorail connecting Ōfuna and Enoshima.
Residential neighborhoods stretch out along the tracks.
□Kita-Kamakura Station
This station features a rare level crossing within the station grounds for the Tōkyō metropolitan area.
□Kamakura Station
This is a transfer station with the Enoshima Electric Railway. Upon exiting Kamakura Station, you can see the overhead wires of the Enoshima Electric Railway on your right.
It is bustling with many people, especially on holidays, including those heading toward the Shōnan area and those visiting Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
□Kamakura ～ Zushi
Crossing the Namerigawa River, which flows through the area between the Zaimokuza and Yuigahama districts and empties into the sea, and passing through the Nagoe Tunnel brings you to Zushi Station.
□Zushi Station
The Yokosuka Line continues toward Yokosuka and Kurihama, but direct Shōnan-Shinjuku Line trains terminate at this station. Trains beyond this point operate with a maximum of 11 cars, so you can see Yokosuka Line trains being split or combined at this station.
Section: Shōnan-Shinjuku Line Southbound Ōmiya ⇒ Zushi
Total length: 86.1km
Number of Stations: 19
Security equipment: ATS-P
Train Number：2831Y
Type/Destination：Rapid train to Kōzu（weekday）
Section where you can drive：Ōmiya(08:05)→Ōfuna(09:30)
Type of train: Series E233-3000 15 cars
Responsible for real voice train announcements: Kumagaya unification center and Shōnan・Sagami unification center
※Due to filming requirements, the train will run on a different track than usual between Totsuka and Ōfuna Stations.
Train Number：2531Y
Type/Destination：Local train to Zushi（weekday）
Section where you can drive：Ōmiya(08:11)→Zushi(09:58)
Type of train: Series： E233-3000 15 cars
Responsible for real voice train announcements: Utsunomiya unification center and Yokohama unification center
Train Number：4521Y
Type/Destination：Local train to Zushi（weekday）
Section where you can drive：Ōmiya(10:42)→Zushi(12:20)
Type of train: Series： E233-3000 15 cars
Responsible for real voice train announcements: Utsunomiya unification center and Yokohama unification center
Train Number：4823Y
Type/Destination：Special Rapid train to Odawara（weekday）
Section where you can drive：Ōmiya(11:28)→Ōfuna(12:45)
Type of train: Series： E233-3000 15 cars
Responsible for real voice train announcements: Kumagaya unification center and Shōnan・Sagami unification center
※Due to filming requirements, the train will run on a different track than usual between Totsuka and Ōfuna Stations.