JNR and the earthquake/tsunami

[LouJ]

Has anyone found a good source of info for the current situation on JNR after the terrible earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

BBC reported the fact that two trains had been washed away and not found but didn't follow up on the story.

Any news or ideas of where to find info on the current state of japan's railways would be welcome.

 

[flymo]

Try this page from this site. Not much running it seems in some places but then that is somewhat understandable,

There may be other sites with other info out there.

EDIT:

As an edit, a Google translation of the Japanese version of the JR site gives the following. I hope it is of interest.

TEPCO's rolling blackouts due to the effect of travel on JR East tube

March 15, 2011

The rolling blackouts by TEPCO, we have postponed the operation in each of the metropolitan train schedule for the following train schedule, we turn to resume the operation. Announces plans for operation on March 15.

Driving [section]
- JR Tokaido line (Tokyo to Odawara Hazama)
- Yokosuka Line (Tokyo Between Zushi)
- Sobu Rapid Line (Tokyo Between Chiba)
- Rapid Line Center (Tokyo-Takao Hazama)
- Local train Sobu Center (Between Mitaka, Chiba)
- 中央本線 (Takao Between Kofu)
- Yamanote line (all lines)
- Keihin-Tohoku Negishi Line (Omiya - Oohuna Hazama)
- Saikyo Line (Osaki - Oomiya Hazama)
- 川越線 (Omiya Kawagoe Hazama -) ... I will stop operation until 9 o'clock to 15 o'clock
- Utsunomiya (Utsunomiya Between Ueno)
- 高崎線 (Ueno Between Takasaki)
- Joban Rapid Line (Between Ueno handle)
- Joban Line local train (Between Ayase Matsudo)
- Musashino Line (Between 府中本町 Nishihunahashi)
Nambu line - (Between Kawasaki Tachikawa)
- Minami Takeshi branch (尻手 Between 浜川崎)
- 鶴見線 (Tsurumi ~ ~ Shiraishi Takezou 浦間 Ougimati Hazama Asano Ookawa Hazama - Sea grass)
- 青梅線 (Tatikawa Between Haizima)
- Joetsu (Between Takasaki Maebashi Shin)
- Keiyo (Tokyo Between Soga) ... times occurs due to cancellations
* Narita Line (Chiba Between Narita)
- Joetsu Shinkansen (Tokyo - Niigata between)
- Nagano Shinkansen (Tokyo Between Nagano)
- Tohoku Shinkansen (Tokyo - among Shiobara Nasu) ... 15 noon will resume operation

※ The above operation 見合Wasemasu other day.

For those driving ※ The train schedule, it will be to significantly reduce the number of service operation, please understand.

※ Transfer to another train 社線 have not been implemented.

Is available to customers, We apologize for any inconvenience, so you for your understanding and cooperation, thank you.

 

[gwilisandt]

JNR ceased to exist in 1987, it being privatised Its JR Group now, consisting of 7 companies. Though the Japanese privatisation worked much better than ours!
JR East seems to have been hardest hit, it operating the area concerned. I have seen some news video of a passenger train toppled over, and a freight train derailed.

Mike.

 

[shinkansen1966]

From Wiki, I gather the Tohuko shinkansen has been suspended until further notice.

It's quite depressing seeing a rail network of which I am so impressed being disrupted. Travelled around Japan three times. Probably the best rail network there is. Astonishing puntuality, modern trains, excellent english signage, frequent and well organised. For instance, numerous platform markings to tell you where to board the different types of trains. You cannot go wrong or become lost.

 

[Gordon]

JNR ceased to exist in 1987, it being privatised Its JR Group now, consisting of 7 companies. Though the Japanese privatisation worked much better than ours!

IMHO it is not strictly true that JNR privatisation "worked better than ours". Fisrt of all, all that happened in 1987 was that JNR was split into a number of separate regional companies, which remained state owned for over 15 years. Although the three biggest operators are now 'properly privatised' that did not take place AFAIK until after 2000, and some other JR group companies are still technically state-owned.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I saw one television aerial shot showing a local EMU wrecked in the mud. I presume this was on the 1067mm line south from Sendai where it runs very close to the coast in the very area where the most devastation (AFAIK it runs past the problemmatic nuclear plant) occurred. This may have been only one of several trains on that line at the time.

 

[dalmahoyhill]

I had read the same operating schedule from the JR website. Seeing how big the earthquake and tsunami was its amazing how many services are actually operating in northern Honshu.

I read in the press that trains on the Tokaido shinkansen automatically stopped when the earthquake hit.
the thing to consider is that Joestsu line was hit by an earthquake and the shinkansen derailed but there was no damage. i am a civil/ structural engineer and i noted the design of the shinkansen viaducts when i travelled around japan is all designed around earthquake resistances. extra long bearings to stop bridge sections dropping off etc. its impressive stuff.