View source for Chichibu Main Line

{{Short description|Railway line in Saitama Prefecture, Japan}}
{{Distinguish|text=the [[Seibu Chichibu Line]]}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name                            = Chichibu Main Line
| native_name                     = 秩父本線
| native_name_lang                = ja
| color                           = 4169E1 <!-- RoyalBlue -->
| logo                            = 
| logo_width                      = 
| logo_alt                        = 
| image                           = Chichibu railway 7502 20110531.jpg
| image_width                     = 300px
| image_alt                       = 
| caption                         = A Chichibu Railway 7500 series EMU on the Chichibu Main Line in May 2011
| type                            = 
| system                          = 
| status                          = 
| locale                          = [[Saitama Prefecture]]
| start                           = {{STN|Hanyū|x}}
| end                             = {{STN|Mitsumineguchi|x}}
| stations                        = 36
| routes                          = 
| open                            = 7 October 1901
| close                           = 
| owner                           = [[File:CTK logomark 2019.svg|18px]] [[Chichibu Railway]]
| operator                        = 
| character                       = 
| depot                           = Hirosegawara
| stock                           = 
| linelength                      = {{convert|71.7|km|abbr=on}}
| tracks                          = 1
| gauge                           = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}}
| old_gauge                       = 
| minradius                       = 149 m
| routenumber                     = 
| linenumber                      = 
| electrification                 = 1500 V DC with [[Overhead catenary]]
| speed                           = {{convert|85|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}
| website                         = 
| map                             = 
| map_state                       = collapsed
}}

The {{Nihongo|'''Chichibu Main Line'''|秩父本線|Chichibu-honsen}} is a railway line in Japan, owned by the [[private railway]] operator [[Chichibu Railway]], linking {{STN|Hanyū|x}} and {{STN|Mitsumineguchi|x}}, both in [[Saitama Prefecture]].
[[File:Chichibu Main Line 2019 7 15.webm|thumb|thumbtime=8|Outside and inside a Chichibu Main Line train near [[Bushū-Nakagawa Station]], 2019]]

== Stations ==
[[File:Chichibu Main Line map osm.svg|center|thumb|Chichibu Main Line map]]
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" |Station No.
! colspan="2" |Station name
!colspan="2"|Distance (km)
!style="width:2em; background:#ffc;" rowspan="2" colspan="2"|Local service to/from Seibu Chichibu Line
(Weekends)
!rowspan="2" style="background:#fcf; width:1em;"|''Chichibuji''<br/>Express
!rowspan="2" style="width:1em; background:#cfc; line-height:1.1;"|[[Steam locomotive|SL]] ''Paleo Express''
!rowspan="2"|Transfer
!rowspan="2"|{{Nowrap|Location}}
|-
!English
!Japanese
!style="width:2.5em;"|Between<br/>Stations
!style="width:2.5em;"|Total
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|01|40}}
|{{STN|Hanyū|x}}
|羽生
|style="text-align:center;"| -
|style="text-align:right;"|0.0
|style="width:1em;"|&nbsp;
|style="width:1em;"|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|●
|&nbsp;
|[[Tōbu Isesaki Line]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Hanyū, Saitama|Hanyū]]
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|02|40}}
|{{STN|Nishi-Hanyū|x}}
|西羽生
|style="text-align:right;"|1.2
|style="text-align:right;"|1.2
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|03|40}}
|{{STN|Shingō|x}}
|新郷
|style="text-align:right;"|1.4
|style="text-align:right;"|2.6
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|04|40}}
|{{STN|Bushū-Araki|x}}
|武州荒木
|style="text-align:right;"|2.2
|style="text-align:right;"|4.8
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|rowspan=4|[[Gyōda, Saitama|Gyōda]]
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|05|40}}
|{{STN|Higashi-Gyōda|x}}
|東行田
|style="text-align:right;"|2.5
|style="text-align:right;"|7.3
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|06|40}}
|{{STN|Gyōdashi|x}}
|行田市
|style="text-align:right;"|1.0
|style="text-align:right;"|8.3
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|●
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|07|40}}
|{{STN|Mochida|x}}
|持田
|style="text-align:right;"|1.8
|style="text-align:right;"|10.1
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|08|40}}
|{{STN|Socio Distribution Center|x}}
| ソシオ流通センター
|style="text-align:right;"|1.5
|style="text-align:right;"|11.6
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|rowspan="6"|[[Kumagaya, Saitama|Kumagaya]]
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|09|40}}
|{{STN|Kumagaya|x}}
|熊谷
|style="text-align:right;"|3.3
|style="text-align:right;"|14.9
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|●
|{{Plainlist|
* [[Joetsu Shinkansen]]
* [[Hokuriku Shinkansen]]
* [[Takasaki Line]]
* [[Shonan-Shinjuku Line]]
* [[Ueno-Tokyo Line]]
}}
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|10|40}}
|{{STN|Kami-Kumagaya|x}}
|上熊谷
|style="text-align:right;"|0.9
|style="text-align:right;"|15.8
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|11|40}}
|{{STN|Ishiwara|x}}
|石原
|style="text-align:right;"|1.2
|style="text-align:right;"|17.0
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|12|40}}
|{{STN|Hirose-Yachō-no-Mori|x}}
|ひろせ野鳥の森
|style="text-align:right;"|1.5
|style="text-align:right;"|18.5
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|13|40}}
|{{STN|Ōasō|x}}
|大麻生
|style="text-align:right;"|1.3
|style="text-align:right;"|20.3
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|14|40}}
|{{STN|Aketo|x}}
|明戸
|style="text-align:right;"|2.6
|style="text-align:right;"|22.9
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|rowspan="5"|[[Fukaya, Saitama|Fukaya]]
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|15|40}}
|{{STN|Takekawa|x}}
|武川
|style="text-align:right;"|1.9
|style="text-align:right;"|24.8
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|''Chichibu Railway: Mikajiri Freight Line''
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|16|40}}
|{{STN|Nagata|x|Saitama}}
|永田
|style="text-align:right;"|2.3
|style="text-align:right;"|27.1
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|17|40}}
|{{STN|Fukaya Hanazono|x}}
|ふかや花園
|style="text-align:right;"|1.1
|style="text-align:right;"|28.2
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|●
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|18|40}}
|{{STN|Omaeda|x}}
|小前田
|style="text-align:right;"|2.3
|style="text-align:right;"|30.5
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|19|40}}
|{{STN|Sakurazawa|x}}
|桜沢
|style="text-align:right;"|1.4
|style="text-align:right;"|31.9
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|rowspan="3"|[[Yorii, Saitama|Yorii]], [[Ōsato District, Saitama|Ōsato District]]
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|20|40}}
|{{STN|Yorii|x}}
|寄居
|style="text-align:right;"|1.9
|style="text-align:right;"|33.8
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|●
|[[Hachikō Line]]<br />[[Tōbu Tōjō Line]]
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|21|40}}
|{{STN|Hagure|x}}
|波久礼
|style="text-align:right;"|3.9
|style="text-align:right;"|37.7
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|22|40}}
|{{STN|Higuchi|x|Saitama}}
|樋口
|style="text-align:right;"|4.4
|style="text-align:right;"|42.1
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|rowspan="4"|[[Nagatoro, Saitama|Nagatoro]], [[Chichibu District, Saitama|Chichibu District]]
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|23|40}}
|{{STN|Nogami|x}}
|野上
|style="text-align:right;"|2.6
|style="text-align:right;"|44.7
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|24|40}}
|{{STN|Nagatoro|x}}
|長瀞
|style="text-align:right;"|1.8
|style="text-align:right;"|46.5
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|●
|&nbsp;
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|●
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|25|40}}
|{{STN|Kami-Nagatoro|x}}
|上長瀞
|style="text-align:right;"|1.1
|style="text-align:right;"|47.6
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|↑
|rowspan="7" style="width:1em; text-align:center; vertical-align:bottom; font-size:85%; line-height:1.1;"|Through operation to {{STN|Seibu-Chichibu|x}} ([[Seibu Chichibu Line]])
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|26|40}}
|{{STN|Oyahana|x}}
|親鼻
|style="text-align:right;"|1.6
|style="text-align:right;"|49.2
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|↑
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|rowspan="2"|[[Minano, Saitama|Minano]], [[Chichibu District, Saitama|Chichibu District]]
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|27|40}}
|{{STN|Minano|x}}
|皆野
|style="text-align:right;"|1.6
|style="text-align:right;"|50.8
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|●
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|28|40}}
|{{STN|Wadō-Kuroya|x}}
|和銅黒谷
|style="text-align:right;"|2.6
|style="text-align:right;"|53.4
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|↑
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|rowspan="10"|[[Chichibu, Saitama|Chichibu]]
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|29|40}}
|{{STN|Ōnohara|x}}
|大野原
|style="text-align:right;"|3.2
|style="text-align:right;"|56.6
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|↑
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|30|40}}
|{{STN|Chichibu|x}}
|秩父
|style="text-align:right;"|2.4
|style="text-align:right;"|59.0
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|●
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|31|40}}
|{{STN|Ohanabatake|x}}
|御花畑
|style="text-align:right;"|0.7
|style="text-align:right;"|59.7
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|●
|align="center" style="background:#fcf"|●
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|●
|[[Seibu Chichibu Line]] ({{STN|Seibu-Chichibu|x}})<br />
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|32|40}}
|{{STN|Kagemori|x}}
|影森
|style="text-align:right;"|2.7
|style="text-align:right;"|62.4
|rowspan="6" style="width:1em; text-align:center; vertical-align:top; font-size:85%; line-height:1.1;"|Through operation to {{STN|Yokoze|x}} ([[Seibu Chichibu Line]])
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|●
|align="center" style="background:#fcf"|●
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|33|40}}
|{{STN|Urayamaguchi|x}}
|浦山口
|style="text-align:right;"|1.4
|style="text-align:right;"|63.8
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|↓
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|34|40}}
|{{STN|Bushū-Nakagawa|x}}
|武州中川
|style="text-align:right;"|2.4
|style="text-align:right;"|66.2
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|↓
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|35|40}}
|{{STN|Bushū-Hino|x}}
|武州日野
|style="text-align:right;"|1.5
|style="text-align:right;"|67.7
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|↓
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|36|40}}
|{{STN|Shiroku|x}}
|白久
|style="text-align:right;"|2.7
|style="text-align:right;"|70.4
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|↓
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|<nowiki>|</nowiki>
|&nbsp;
|-
|{{CRSN|CR|37|40}}
|{{STN|Mitsumineguchi|x}}
|三峰口
|style="text-align:right;"|1.3
|style="text-align:right;"|71.7
|style="background:#ffc; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#fcf; text-align:center;"|●
|style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"|●
|
|}
*

==Rolling stock==
{{As of|2016|04|01}}, the Chichibu Railway operates the following fleet of rolling stock on the line.<ref name="jrrprivate2016">{{cite book |script-title=ja: 私鉄車両編成表 2016 |trans-title=Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations – 2016 |publisher = Kotsu Shimbunsha |date = 25 July 2016 |location = Japan |language = Japanese |page = 17|isbn = 978-4-330-70116-5}}</ref>

* [[Chichibu Railway 5000 series|5000 series]] 3-car EMUs x3 (formerly [[Toei 6000 series]]) (since 1999)
* [[Chichibu Railway 6000 series|6000 series]] 3-car EMUs x3 (formerly [[Seibu 101 series]]) (since March 2006)
* [[Chichibu Railway 7000 series|7000 series]] 3-car EMUs x2 (formerly [[Tokyu 8500 series]]) (since March 2009)
* [[Chichibu Railway 7500 series|7500 series]] 3-car EMUs x7 (formerly [[Tokyu 8090 series]]) (since March 2010)
* [[Chichibu Railway 7800 series|7800 series]] 2-car EMUs x4 (formerly [[Tokyu 8090 series]]) (since 16 March 2013)
* [[JNR Class C58|Class C58]] steam locomotive (No. C58 363 for ''Paleo Express'')
* Four 12 series passenger coaches for ''Paleo Express'' (OHaFu 12-101 and 102, OHa 12-111 and 112)
* [[Chichibu Railway Class DeKi 100|DeKi 100]] electric locomotives (x6)
* [[Chichibu Railway Class DeKi 200|DeKi 200]] electric locomotive (x1)
* [[Chichibu Railway Class DeKi 300|DeKi 300]] electric locomotives (x3)
* [[Chichibu Railway Class DeKi 500|DeKi 500]] electric locomotives (x7)

<gallery>
File:Chichibu railway 5203 20110606.jpg|5000 series EMU set 5003 in June 2011
File:Chichibu_Railway_6000.jpg|A 6000 series EMU on a ''Chichibuji'' express service
File:Chichibu-Series7201.jpg|7000 series EMU set 7001 in October 2018
File:Chichibu-Series7504.jpg|7500 series EMU set 7504 in October 2018
File:Chichitetsu 7800 Ishiwara 20130622.jpg|7800 series EMU set 7801 in June 2013
File:SL_Paleo_Express.jpg|''SL Paleo Express''
File:Chichibu Railway DEKI102.jpg|DeKi 102
File:Chichibu-Railway-Deki-201.jpg|DeKi 201
File:Chichibu-Railway-Deki-301.jpg|DeKi 301
File:Chichibu railway deki507 20110606.jpg|DeKi 507
</gallery>

===Rolling stock previously used===
* [[Chichibu Railway 300 series|300 series]] 2-car EMUs (from 1959 until October 1992)
* [[Chichibu Railway 500 series|500 series]] 2-car EMUs (from 1957 until March 1992)
* [[Chichibu Railway 800 series|800 series]] 2-car EMUs (formerly [[Odakyu 1800 series]]) (from 1979 until 1990)
* [[Chichibu Railway 1000 series|1000 series]] 3-car EMUs (formerly [[JNR]] [[101 series]]) (from 1986 until March 2014)<ref name="dj361">{{cite magazine|script-title=ja:秩父鉄道「さよなら1003号貸切運転・撮影会ツアー」開催|trans-title=Chichibu Railway organizes "Farewell 1003 charter train and photographic tour"|magazine=Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine |volume = 43|issue = 361|page =74|publisher = Kōtsū Shimbun |location = Japan |language= Japanese|date = 2014}}</ref>
* [[Chichibu Railway 2000 series|2000 series]] 4-car EMUs (formerly Tokyu 7000 series) (from 1991 until 2000)
* [[Chichibu Railway 3000 series|3000 series]] 3-car EMUs x3 (formerly [[JR East]] [[165 series]]) (from 1992 until December 2006)
* 43 series passenger coaches (for ''Paleo Express'')
<gallery>
File:Chichibu-300.jpg|A 300 series EMU in 1989
File:Ctk500 old.jpg|A 500 series EMU in 1984
File:Chichibu-800.jpg|An 800 series EMU in 1989
File:Chichibu Railway 1002 20080126.jpg|A 1000 series EMU in 2008
File:Chichibu-2002.jpg|A 2000 series EMU in 1992
File:Chichibu-railway 3000shibazakura.jpg|A 3000 series EMU in 2006
</gallery>

== History ==
The {{Nihongo|Jōbu Railway|上武鉄道}} opened the section between {{STN|Kumagaya|x}} and {{STN|Yorii|x}} on 7 October 1901 operated by the use of steam haulage.<ref name="terada2013">{{cite book |last = Terada |first = Hirokazu |script-title=ja: データブック日本の私鉄 |trans-title=Databook: Japan's Private Railways |publisher = Neko Publishing |date = 19 January 2013 |location = Japan |page = 36 |isbn = 978-4-7770-1336-4}}</ref> The line was extended in stages, reaching Chichibu in 1914. The line was electrified at 1,200 V DC on 15 March 1918.<ref name="terada2013"/> On 1 August 1922, the Chichibu Railway acquired the {{Nihongo|Hokubu Railway|北武鉄道}} operating between Hanyū and Kumagaya.<ref name="terada2013"/> The line reached Mitsumineguchi in 1930.

From 1 February 1952, The line voltage was raised to 1,500 V DC.<ref name="terada2013"/>

===Former connecting lines===
* Kumagaya Station: The [[Tobu Kumagaya Line]] operated between 1943 and 1983.<ref name="terada2003">{{cite book| last = Terada| first = Hirokazu |script-title=ja: 私鉄廃線25年 |trans-title=25 Years of Abandoned Private Railways| publisher = JTB Can Books| date = October 2003| location = Japan| pages = 52–53| isbn = 4-533-04958-3}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.chichibu-railway.co.jp}} {{in lang|ja}}

{{Tokyo transit}}

[[Category:Railway lines in Japan]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Saitama Prefecture]]
[[Category:1067 mm gauge railways in Japan]]
[[Category:Chichibu Railway]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1901]]
[[Category:1901 establishments in Japan]]