Gala-Yuzawa Station serves the nearby Gala Yuzawa ski resort[2] (ski lifts operate directly from the station), so the station is only used during the winter period. During the skiing season, Tanigawa services from Tokyo are extended to run to Gala-Yuzawa. All trains on the line are classified as "limited express", so a limited express surcharge is required.
The branch line was originally built for maintenance purposes, but was upgraded for passenger service from 20 December 1990 when JR East developed the ski resort. Outside the winter season, the line is used for switching trains terminating at and departing from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.[1] From 1 October 1997, Tanigawa services were used for the all-stations services between Tokyo and Echigo-Yuzawa, replacing the Toki all stations service, however, this service was revived from December 2002 to replace the Asahi service from Tokyo to Niigata.[3]
^ ab"新幹線なのに在来線" [Conventional lines that are also shinkansen]. Japan Railfan Magazine. No. 467. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. March 2000. pp. 66–67.
^"「安く乗れる新幹線」増えるか 新潟空港のアクセス鉄道、実現への道のり" [Will the number of "Bullet trains you can ride cheaper" increase?]. trafficnews.jp (in Japanese). Mediavague Co., ltd. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
JR East
Set F29 of the E7 series Shinkansen on a Tanigawa 410 service entering Omiya Station
A 200 series Shinkansen approaching Gala Yuzawa station
An E1 Shinkansen at Takasaki station
Set J70 of the E2-1000 Shinkansen, similar to those previously used on the Gala-Yuzawa Line
Two E4 series Shinkansen at Gala Yuzawa station, March 2010
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