View source for Musashino Line

{{Short description|Railway line in Japan}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width                       = 
| name                            = Musashino Line
| native_name                     = 武蔵野線
| native_name_lang                = ja
| color                           = FF4500 <!-- "orangered" -->
| logo                            = {{JRLS|JM|size=25}}
| logo_width                      = 
| image                           = E231_Musashino-Line.jpg
| image_width                     = 300px
| caption                         = Musashino Line E231 series EMUs, November 2019
| type                            = Heavy rail
| system                          = 
| status                          = 
| locale                          = [[Tokyo]], [[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]], [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]], [[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]] prefectures
| start                           = {{STN|Fuchūhommachi|x}}
| end                             = {{STN|Nishi-Funabashi|x}}
| stations                        = 26
| routes                          = 
| daily_ridership                 = 1,064,613 (daily 2015)<ref name =ridership>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001179760.pdf|title=平成27年 大都市交通センサス 首都圏報告書 |website=P.92|publisher=国土交通省}}</ref>
| open                            = 1973
| close                           = 
| owner                           = [[JR East]]
| operator                        = [[File:JR logo (east).svg|23px]] [[JR East]], [[JR Freight]]
| character                       = 
| depot                           = Keiyo
| stock                           = [[209 series#209-500 series|209-500 series]], [[E231 series#E231-0 series|E231-0 series]], [[E231 series#E231-900 series|E231-900 series]] EMUs
| linelength                      = {{convert|71.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} (passenger operations) <br /> {{convert|100.6|km|mi|abbr=on}} (Total)
| tracklength                     = 
| tracks                          = 
| gauge                           = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}}
| electrification                 = 1,500 V DC [[overhead catenary]]
| speed                           = 
| elevation                       = 
| map                             = [[File:JR Musashino Line linemap.svg|250px]]<br />Route map of passenger service, with red denoting the Musashino Line and blue denoting the Keiyo Line
----
[[File:LineMap Musashino Eng.png|300px]]<br />Connections of the Musashino Line and the Musashino Freight Line
| map_state                       = uncollapsed
}}

The {{Nihongo|'''Musashino Line'''|武蔵野線|Musashino-sen}} is a railway line operated by the [[East Japan Railway Company]] (JR East). It links [[Tsurumi Station]] in [[Yokohama]] with [[Nishi-Funabashi Station]] in [[Chiba Prefecture]], forming a {{Convert|100.6|km|mi|abbr=on}} unclosed loop around central [[Tokyo]]. Passenger operations are limited to the {{Convert|71.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} portion between {{STN|Fuchūhommachi|x}} and Nishi-Funabashi; the Tsurumi to Fuchūhommachi portion, called the "Musashino South Line", is normally used only by freight trains. The line forms part of what JR East refers to as the "Tokyo Mega Loop" ({{langx|ja|東京メガループ|links=no}}) around Tokyo, consisting of the [[Keiyō Line]], Musashino Line, [[Nambu Line]], and [[Yokohama Line]].<ref name="dj364">{{cite magazine|last =Saka |first = Masayuki |script-title=ja:東京メガループ 車両・路線の沿革と現況 |trans-title=Tokyo Megaloop: History and current situation of trains and line  |magazine=Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine |volume = 43|issue = 364 |pages=28–39 |publisher = Kōtsū Shimbun |location = Japan |language= ja |date = August 2014}}</ref>

==Services==
Most services on the Musashino Line are local trains making all stops. Some trains continue through the [[Keiyō Line]] past Nishi-Funabashi to {{STN|Tokyo|x}}, {{STN|Minami-Funabashi|x}} or {{STN|Kaihimmakuhari|x}}.

Other services include:
*''[[Musashino (train)|Musashino]]'': services operated between Fuchūhommachi/Hachiōji and {{STN|Ōmiya|x|Saitama}}
*''[[Shimōsa (train)|Shimōsa]]'': services operated between {{STN|Ōmiya|x|Saitama}} and {{STN|Nishi-Funabashi|x}}/{{STN|Kaihimmakuhari|x}}
*''Holiday Kaisoku Kamakura'' seasonal service between {{STN|Minami-Koshigaya|x}} and {{STN|Kamakura|x}}
*''Burari Kamakura'' and ''Yokohama Bay Area'' seasonal service between {{STN|Iwaki|x|Fukushima}} and {{STN|Kamakura|x}}
*''Burari Takao Sansaku'' seasonal service between {{STN|Hitachi|x}} and {{STN|Takao|x|Tokyo}}

==Station list==
Tsurumi Station is considered to be the origin of the Musashino Line; trains going clockwise (toward Nishi-Funabashi) are therefore referred to as heading {{nihongo|"down"|下り|kudari}}, while trains going counter-clockwise (toward Fuchūhommachi) are heading {{nihongo|"up"|上り|nobori}}. This is often counterintuitive, as it results in through trains to Tokyo being labeled and numbered as "down" trains while on the Musashino Line; however, such trains switch to "up" after joining the [[Keiyō Line]].
[[File:Musashino linemap Eng.png|thumb|788x788px|Musashino Line service diagram, including ''Shimousa'' and ''Musashino'' services]]
All eastbound (for Nishi-Funabashi) passenger trains begin service at Fuchū-Hommachi Station. Details of the Musashino South Line and other branch lines, which are freight-only sections, can be found below the passenger station list.

=== Musashino Line (passenger) ===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!rowspan="2"|No.
!rowspan="2"|Name
!rowspan="2"|Japanese
!colspan="2"|Distance (km)
!rowspan="2"|Transfers
!rowspan="2" colspan="2"|Location
|-
!Between<br />stations
!Total
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|35|size=40}}
|{{STN|Fuchūhommachi|x}}
|府中本町
|style="text-align:right;"|-
|style="text-align:right;"|0.0
|{{JRLS|JN}} [[Nambu Line]], <span style="font-size:85%;">Musashino South Line (Freight)</span>
|rowspan="2"|[[Fuchū, Tokyo|Fuchū]]
|rowspan="5" style="width:1em; text-align:center;"|Tokyo
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|34|size=40}}
|{{STN|Kita-Fuchū|x}}
|北府中
|style="text-align:right;"|1.7
|style="text-align:right;"|1.7
|&nbsp;
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|33|size=40}}
|{{STN|Nishi-Kokubunji|x}}
|西国分寺
|style="text-align:right;"|2.2
|style="text-align:right;"|3.9
|{{JRLS|JC}} [[Chūō Line (Rapid)]]
|[[Kokubunji, Tokyo|Kokubunji]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|32|size=40}}
|{{STN|Shin-Kodaira|x}}
|新小平
|style="text-align:right;"|3.5
|style="text-align:right;"|7.4
|[[File: SeibuTamako.svg|18px]] [[Seibu Tamako Line]] ({{STN|Ōmekaidō|x}})<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Musashino Line (Kunitachi Freight Branch)</span>
|[[Kodaira, Tokyo|Kodaira]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|31|size=40}}
|{{STN|Shin-Akitsu|x}}
|新秋津
|style="text-align:right;"|5.6
|style="text-align:right;"|13.0
|[[File: SeibuIkebukuro.svg|18px]] [[Seibu Ikebukuro Line]] ({{STN|Akitsu|x|Tokyo}})
|[[Higashimurayama, Tokyo|Higashimurayama]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|30|size=40}}
|{{STN|Higashi-Tokorozawa|x}}
|東所沢
|style="text-align:right;"|2.7
|style="text-align:right;"|15.7
|&nbsp;
|[[Tokorozawa, Saitama|Tokorozawa]]
|rowspan="16" style="width:1em; text-align:center;"|[[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]]
|-
|{{n/a}}
|''Niiza Freight Terminal''
|[[:ja:新座貨物ターミナル駅|新座貨物ターミナル駅]]
|style="text-align:right;"|3.7
|style="text-align:right;"|19.4
|&nbsp;
|rowspan="2"|[[Niiza, Saitama|Niiza]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|29|size=40}}
|{{STN|Niiza|x}}
|新座
|style="text-align:right;"|0.3
|style="text-align:right;"|19.7
|&nbsp;
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|28|size=40}}
|{{STN|Kita-Asaka|x}}
|北朝霞
|style="text-align:right;"|3.1
|style="text-align:right;"|22.8
|{{TBLS|TJ}} [[Tōbu Tōjō Line]] ({{STN|Asakadai|x}})
|[[Asaka, Saitama|Asaka]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|27|size=40}}
|{{STN|Nishi-Urawa|x}}
|西浦和
|style="text-align:right;"|5.0
|style="text-align:right;"|27.8
|<span style="font-size:85%;">Musashino Line (Ōmiya Freight Branch)</span>
|style="white-space:nowrap;"|[[Sakura-ku, Saitama]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|26|size=40}}
|{{STN|Musashi-Urawa|x}}
|武蔵浦和
|style="text-align:right;"|2.0
|style="text-align:right;"|29.8
|{{JRLS|JA}} [[Saikyō Line]]<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Musashino Line (Nishi-Urawa Freight Branch)</span>
|rowspan="2"|[[Minami-ku, Saitama]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|25|size=40}}
|{{STN|Minami-Urawa|x}}
|南浦和
|style="text-align:right;"|1.9
|style="text-align:right;"|31.7
|{{JRLS|JK}} [[Keihin-Tōhoku Line]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|24|size=40}}
|{{STN|Higashi-Urawa|x}}
|東浦和
|style="text-align:right;"|3.7
|style="text-align:right;"|35.4
|&nbsp;
|[[Midori-ku, Saitama]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|23|size=40}}
|{{STN|Higashi-Kawaguchi|x}}
|東川口
|style="text-align:right;"|3.8
|style="text-align:right;"|39.2
|{{TSLS|SR}} [[Saitama Rapid Railway Line]]
|[[Kawaguchi, Saitama|Kawaguchi]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|22|size=40}}
|{{STN|Minami-Koshigaya|x}}
|南越谷
|style="text-align:right;"|4.3
|style="text-align:right;"|43.5
|{{TBLS|TS}} [[Tobu Skytree Line]] ({{STN|Shin-Koshigaya|x}})
|rowspan="3"|[[Koshigaya, Saitama|Koshigaya]]
|-
|{{n/a}}
|''Koshigaya Freight Terminal''
|[[:ja:越谷貨物ターミナル駅|越谷貨物ターミナル駅]]
|style="text-align:right;"|0.4
|style="text-align:right;"|43.9
|&nbsp;
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|21|size=40}}
|{{STN|Koshigaya-Laketown|x}}
|越谷レイクタウン
|style="text-align:right;"|2.4
|style="text-align:right;"|46.3
|&nbsp;
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|20|size=40}}
|{{STN|Yoshikawa|x|Saitama}}
|吉川
|style="text-align:right;"|1.9
|style="text-align:right;"|48.2
|&nbsp;
|rowspan="2"|[[Yoshikawa, Saitama|Yoshikawa]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|19|size=40}}
|{{STN|Yoshikawaminami|x}}
|吉川美南
|style="text-align:right;"|1.7
|style="text-align:right;"|49.9
|&nbsp;
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|18|size=40}}
|{{STN|Shim-Misato|x}}
|新三郷
|style="text-align:right;"|1.4
|style="text-align:right;"|51.3
|&nbsp;
|rowspan="2"|[[Misato, Saitama (city)|Misato]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|17|size=40}}
|{{STN|Misato|x|Saitama}}
|三郷
|style="text-align:right;"|2.1
|style="text-align:right;"|53.4
|&nbsp;
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|16|size=40}}
|{{STN|Minami-Nagareyama|x}}
|南流山
|style="text-align:right;"|2.0
|style="text-align:right;"|55.4
|[[File:Tsukuba_Express_mark.svg|18px]] [[Tsukuba Express]]<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Musashino Line (Kita-Kogane, Mabashi Freight Branches)</span>
|[[Nagareyama, Chiba|Nagareyama]]
|rowspan="7" style="width:1em; text-align:center;"|[[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|15|size=40}}
|{{STN|Shim-Matsudo|x}}
|新松戸
|style="text-align:right;"|2.1
|style="text-align:right;"|57.5
|{{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JL}} [[Jōban Line (Local)]]
* [[Sōbu Nagareyama Line]] ({{STN|Kōya|x|Chiba}})
}}
|rowspan="3"|[[Matsudo, Chiba|Matsudo]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|14|size=40}}
|{{STN|Shin-Yahashira|x}}
|新八柱
|style="text-align:right;"|4.1
|style="text-align:right;"|61.6
|{{KSLS|KS}} [[Keisei Matsudo Line]] ({{STN|Yabashira|x}})
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|13|size=40}}
|{{STN|Higashi-Matsudo|x}}
|東松戸
|style="text-align:right;"|2.4
|style="text-align:right;"|64.0
|{{Plainlist|
* {{KSLS|HS}} [[Hokusō Line]]
* {{KSLS|KS|ns=N}} [[Narita Sky Access Line]]
}}
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|12|size=40}}
|{{STN|Ichikawaōno|x}}
|市川大野
|style="text-align:right;"|1.9
|style="text-align:right;"|65.9
|&nbsp;
|[[Ichikawa, Chiba|Ichikawa]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|11|size=40}}
|{{STN|Funabashihōten|x}}
|船橋法典
|style="text-align:right;"|3.0
|style="text-align:right;"|68.9
|&nbsp;
|rowspan="2"|[[Funabashi, Chiba|Funabashi]]
|-
|align="center"|{{JRSN|JM|10|size=40}}
|{{STN|Nishi-Funabashi|x}}
|西船橋
|style="text-align:right;"|2.9
|style="text-align:right;"|71.8
|{{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JE}} [[Keiyō Line]] (through to {{STN|Tokyo|x}}, {{STN|Kaihimmakuhari|x}})
* {{JRLS|JB}} [[Chūō-Sōbu Line]]
* {{TSLS|T}} [[Tokyo Metro Tōzai Line]] (T-23)
* {{TRR}} [[Tōyō Rapid Railway Line]]
}}
|}
[[Ōmekaidō Station]] is approximately 10 minutes walk from Shin-Kodaira Station.

=== Musashino Freight Branch Lines ===
[[File:railroads around funabashi.GIF|thumb|Railway lines around Funabashi]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" |Name
! rowspan="2" |Japanese
! colspan="2" |Distance (km)
! rowspan="2" |Transfers
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Location
|-
!Between<br />stations
!Total
|-
| colspan="7" |'''Musashino South Line'''
|-
|{{STN|Tsurumi|x}}
|鶴見
| style="text-align:center;" | -
| style="text-align:right;" |0.0
|[[Tōkaidō Line]], [[Keihin Tohoku Line]], [[Tsurumi Line]], [[Tokaido Freight Line]], Takashima Freight Line
| rowspan="2" |[[Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama]]
| rowspan="3" style="width:1em; text-align:center;" |[[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]]
|-
|''Shin-Tsurumi Yard''
|[[:ja:新鶴見信号場|新鶴見信号場]]
| style="text-align:right;" |3.9
| style="text-align:right;" |3.9
|Hinkaku Line, [[Nambu Line]] Freight Branch (for {{STN|Shitte|x}})
|-
|''Kajigaya Freight Terminal''
|[[:ja:梶ヶ谷貨物ターミナル駅|梶ヶ谷貨物ターミナル駅]]
| style="text-align:right;" |8.8
| style="text-align:right;" |12.7
|&nbsp;
|[[Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki]]
|-
|{{STN|Fuchūhommachi|x}}
|府中本町
| style="text-align:right;" |16.1
| style="text-align:right;" |28.8
|Musashino Line (towards Nishi-Kokubunji), Nambu Line
|[[Fuchū, Tokyo|Fuchū]]
|Tokyo
|-
| colspan="7" |'''Kunitachi Branch Line'''
|-
|[[Shin-Kodaira Station|Shin-Kodaira]]
|新小平
|style="text-align:center;"| -
|style="text-align:right;" |0.0
|Musashino Line (towards Nishi-Funabashi)
|[[Kodaira, Tokyo|Kodaira]]
| rowspan="2" |Tokyo
|-
|[[Kunitachi Station|Kunitachi]]
|国立
|style="text-align:right;" |5.0
|style="text-align:right;" |5.0
|Chūō Line
|[[Kunitachi, Tokyo|Kunitachi]]
|-
| colspan="7" |'''Omiya Branch Line'''
|-
|[[Nishi-Urawa Station|Nishi-Urawa]]
|西浦和
|style="text-align:center;"|‐
|style="text-align:right;" |0.0
|Musashino Line (towards Fuchūhommachi and Tsurumi)
|[[Sakura-ku, Saitama]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]]
|-
|''Bessho Yard''
|[[:ja:別所信号場|別所信号場]]
|style="text-align:right;" |1.3
|style="text-align:right;" |1.3
|
|
|-
|[[Yono Station|Yono]]
|与野
|style="text-align:right;" |3.6
|style="text-align:right;" |4.9
|[[Tōhoku Main Line|Tohoku Main Line (Tohoku Freight Line)]]
|[[Urawa-ku, Saitama]]
|-
| colspan="7" |'''Nishi-Urawa Branch Line'''
|-
|[[Musashi-Urawa Station|Musashi-Urawa]]
|武蔵浦和
|style="text-align:center;"|‐
|style="text-align:center;"|‐
|Musashino Line (towards Nishi-Funabashi)
| rowspan="2" |[[Minami-ku, Saitama]]
| rowspan="2" |Saitama
|-
|''Bessho Yard''
|別所信号場
|style="text-align:center;"|‐
|style="text-align:center;"|‐
|Musashino Line Omiya Branch Line
|-
| colspan="7" |'''Kita-Kogane Branch Line'''
|-
|Minami-Nagareyama
|南流山
|style="text-align:center;"|‐
|style="text-align:right;" |0.0
|Musashino Line (towards Fuchūhommachi and Tsurumi)
|[[Nagareyama]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]]
|-
|Kita-Kogane
|北小金
|style="text-align:right;" |2.9
|style="text-align:right;" |2.9
|[[Jōban Line|Joban Line]] (towards [[Toride Station|Toride]])
|[[Matsudo]]
|-
| colspan="7" |'''Mabashi Branch Line'''
|-
|Minami-Nagareyama
|南流山
|style="text-align:center;"|‐
|style="text-align:right;" |0.0
|Musashino Line (towards Fuchūhommachi and Tsurumi)
|Nagareyama
| rowspan="2" |Chiba
|-
|[[Mabashi Station|Mabashi]]
|馬橋
|style="text-align:right;" |3.7
|style="text-align:right;" |3.7
|[[Jōban Line|Joban Line]] (towards [[Mikawashima Station|Mikawashima]])
|Matsudo
|}

==Rolling stock==
* [[209 series#209-500 series|209-500 series]] eight-car EMUs (since December 2010)
* [[E231 series#E231-0 series|E231-0 series]] eight-car EMUs (since November 2017)
* [[E231 series#E231-900 series|E231-900 series]] eight-car EMU (since 20 July 2020)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://train-fan.com/e231-900-mu1/|title=【元209系】E231系900番台試作車・MU1編成として武蔵野線で"再出発"|trans-title=[Former 209 series] E231-900 series prototype train restarts on Musashino Line as MU1|date=20 July 2020}}</ref>

Three 209-500 series sets were transferred from the [[Keiyō Line]] in 2010-2011, where they were displaced by new [[E233-5000 series]] sets and reduced from ten to eight cars per set;<ref name="JRfutabasha2013"/> eight additional sets were transferred from the [[Chūō–Sōbu Line]] in 2018-2019. Between 2017 and 2020, E231-0 series sets were transferred from the Chūō–Sōbu Line and the Jōban Line and reduced from ten to eight cars per set to replace the 205 series.<ref name="railfan681">{{cite magazine|script-title=ja: 武蔵野線にE231系が登場|trans-title= E231 series appears on the Musashino Line |magazine = [[Japan Railfan Magazine]] |volume = 58|issue = 681 |page = 52 |publisher = Koyusha Co., Ltd. |location = Japan |language = ja |date = January 2018}}</ref> In July 2020, the sole E231-900 series set was also transferred from the Chūō–Sōbu Line and reduced from ten to eight cars.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2nd-train.net/topics/article/28580/|title=【JR東】E231系元ミツB901編成大宮総合車両センター出場回送|trans-title=[JR East]E231 series former set B901 exited Omiya Rolling Stock Center|date=10 July 2020}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Series209-500-M75.jpg|A Musashino Line 209-500 series EMU in October 2019
File:JRE Series-E231-0 MU19.jpg|A Musashino Line E231-0 series EMU in January 2023
File:JRE Series-E231-900 MU1.jpg|Musashino Line E231-900 series in August 2022
</gallery>

===Former===
* [[101 series|101-1000 series]] 6-car EMUs (1 April 1973 - 26 October 1986)<ref name="dj364"/>
* [[103 series]] 6-car, later 8-car EMUs (June 1980 - 8 December 2005)<ref name="dj364"/>
* [[201 series]] 6-car EMUs (from 3 March 1986 - November 1996)<ref name="dj364"/>
* [[205 series#205-0 series|205-0 series]] 8-car EMUs (from December 1991 - October 2019)
* [[205 series#205-5000 series|205-5000 series]] 8-car EMUs (from 2002 - 19 October 2020)

[[165 series|165]] and [[169 series]] EMUs were used on ''[[Shinkansen Relay#Rapid Shinkansen Relay|Shinkansen Relay]]'' services and later ''[[Musashino (train)|Musashino]]'' rapid services until 2002. [[115 series]] EMUs were used on ''Musashino'' services from 2002 until the services were downgraded to all-stations "Local" status in December 2010. The 205-0 series sets were built from new for the Musashino Line, entering service from 1 December 1991,<ref name="dj364"/> and have six motored cars per eight-car set.<ref name="JRfutabasha2013"/> These were the last 205 series sets to be built from new.<ref name="dj364"/> The 205-5000 series sets were modified between 2002 and 2008 from displaced former [[Yamanote Line]] sets by adding new VVVF-controlled AC motors, and have four motored cars per eight-car set.<ref name="JRfutabasha2013">{{cite book |script-title=ja: 首都圏鉄道完全ガイド 主要JR路線編 |trans-title=Tokyo Area Complete Railway Guide - Major JR Lines |publisher = Futabasha |date = 6 December 2013 |location = Japan |pages = 87–97 |isbn = 978-4-575-45414-7}}</ref> [[205 series]] trains, both 205-0 and 205-5000 serieses, were withdrawn from Musashino Line and currently operated in Indonesia.

<gallery>
File:KuMoHa101-902 Tokyo General Depot 20050827.jpg|A 101 series EMU
File:103 set E34 Musashino Line Nishi-Kokubunji 20010808.jpg|A Musashino Line 103 series (low-cab type) EMU, August 2001
File:Musashino 103 Niiza 20020527.jpg|A Musashino Line 103 series EMU, May 2002
File:201 165 Shinkansen Relay Hachioji 20010801.jpg|A 165 series EMU (right) on a ''Shinkansen Relay'' service, August 2001
File:Musashino 115 Hachioji 20040303.JPG|A 115-300 series EMU set on a ''Musashino'' service, March 2004
File:JRE-205-0 EMU-MusashinoLine.jpg|A Musashino Line 205-0 series EMU in June 2006 (this particular set is actually a 205-5000, or set 145 in Indonesia)
File:JRE 205 5000 musashino.JPG|205 series EMU belonging to the Musashino Line on connecting services on the Keiyō Line, January 2010. This set is now operated in Indonesia.
</gallery>

===Freight===
Locomotive types seen hauling freight trains include the [[Class EF64]], [[Class EF65]], [[Class EF66]], [[Class EF81]], [[Class EF200]], [[Class EF210]], [[Class EH200]], [[Class EH500]], [[Class DE10]], and [[Class HD300]].

==History==
The Musashino Line was initially envisioned as a "Tokyo Outer Loop Line" in a 1927 railway appropriations bill, but was not built for several decades due to [[World War II]] and its aftermath.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} Construction finally began in November 1965.<ref name="dj364"/>

In 1967, a train carrying [[jet fuel]] to [[Tachikawa Airfield|Tachikawa Air Base]] in western Tokyo exploded while passing through [[Shinjuku Station]]{{Citation needed|date=September 2013}}. This disaster led to the banning of freight trains on railway lines in central Tokyo and sped the development of the Musashino Line as an alternative route{{Citation needed|date=September 2013}}. Because most of the line passed through sparsely populated areas, it was initially envisioned as a freight-only line. However, opposition from local residents, at the same time as the violent landowner battles plaguing [[Narita International Airport]], led the railway authorities to agree to passenger service as well.

The first section of the line between {{STN|Fuchū-Hommachi|x}} and {{STN|Shin-Matsudo|x}} opened on 1 April 1973.<ref name="JRfutabasha2013"/> Train services were operated using 6-car [[101 series|101-1000 series]] EMUs, which were modified specially for the line to comply with government regulations concerning fire resistance of trains operating through long tunnels, as the line included the {{Convert|4380|m|abbr=on}} {{Nihongo|Higashi-Murayama Tunnel|東村山トンネル}} between Shin-Kodaira and Shin-Akitsu stations, and the {{Convert|2563|m|abbr=on}} {{Nihongo|Kodaira Tunnel|小平トンネル}} between Shin-Kodaira and Nishi-Kokubunji stations.<ref name="dj364"/> Services operated at 15-minute intervals in the morning peak, and at 40-minute intervals during the daytime off-peak.<ref name="dj364"/>

The southern freight-only line from Fuchū-Hommachi to Tsurumi opened on 1 March 1976.<ref name="JRfutabasha2013"/> The eastern section of the line from Shin-Matsudo to {{STN|Nishi-Funabashi|x}} opened on 2 October 1978.<ref name="JRfutabasha2013"/>

Inter-running to and from the Keiyo Line commenced on 1 December 1988.<ref name="JRfutabasha2013"/>

From the start of the 1 December 1996 timetable revision, all of the Musashino Line 103 series sets were lengthened from six to eight cars.<ref name="dj364"/>

On 20 August 2016, [[station numbering]] was introduced with stations on the Musashino line being assigned station numbers between JM10 and JM35.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 April 2016 |title=⾸都圏エリアへ 「駅ナンバリング」を導⼊します |trans-title=Introduce “station numbering” to the Tokyo metropolitan area |url=https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2016/20160402.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207004741/https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2016/20160402.pdf |archive-date=7 December 2022 |access-date=7 January 2023 |website=jreast.co.jp |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kusamachi |first=Yoshikazu |date=7 April 2016 |title=JA・JK・JT・AKB…JR東日本、首都圏で駅ナンバリングなど導入へ |trans-title=JA, JK, JT, AKB … JR East to introduce station numbering in the Tokyo metropolitan area |url=https://response.jp/article/2016/04/07/273025.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806133507/https://response.jp/article/2016/04/07/273025.html |archive-date=6 August 2022 |access-date=7 January 2023 |website=Response Automotive Media |language=ja}}</ref> Numbers increase in the counter-clockwise direction towards Fuchu-Hommachi.

=== Future plans ===
In June 2025, [[East Japan Railway Company|JR East]] and [[Seibu Railway]] announced a plan to enable through service between the [[Seibu Ikebukuro Line]] to the Musashino and Keiyo Lines by fiscal 2028.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-09 |title=西武池袋線とJRが初の直通運転、2028年度めどに…所沢駅と武蔵野線・新秋津駅の連絡線活用案 |url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20250609-OYT1T50040/ |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=[[Yomiuri Shimbun]] |language=ja}}</ref> The service would be achieved through a junction near [[Shin-Akitsu Station]] on the Musashino Line. 

==See also==
{{Portal|Tokyo}}
*[[Osaka Higashi Line]], envisioned as a counterpart in the Osaka area
*[[Aichi Loop Line]], counterpart around Nagoya

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.jreast.co.jp/estation/result.aspx?mode=2&rosen=63=1=%E6%AD%A6%E8%94%B5%E9%87%8E%E7%B7%9A Stations of the Musashino Line] (JR East) {{in lang|ja}}

{{Tokyo transit}}
{{East Japan Railway Company Lines}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Musashino Line| ]]
[[Category:Lines of East Japan Railway Company]]
[[Category:Railway lines in Kanagawa Prefecture]]
[[Category:Railway lines in Tokyo]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Saitama Prefecture]]
[[Category:Railway lines in Chiba Prefecture]]
[[Category:1067 mm gauge railways in Japan]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1973]]
[[Category:1973 establishments in Japan]]