Looking at an enlarged map of the Tokyo vicinity on the JTB timetable index map at hand, there are double-track lines in some places. Specifically, they are near Nishiurawa, Nishi Kokubunji, and Shin Matsudo on the Musashino Line, near Yokohama to Higashi-Totsuka on the Tokaido Main Line, on the west side of the Nambu Line, and near Tabata on the Yamanote Line.
It is a freight line, but passenger trains also run on it.
All of them were originally freight lines, but it seems that they were added to the index map because “passenger trains also run” on them. Of these lines, the Yamate Freight Line near Tabata and the Tohoku Freight Line are on the Shonan Shinjuku Line, so it is not difficult to get on the line. It is not difficult to take the “Shonan Shinjuku Line” from Omiya to Ikebukuro.
The freight line near Nishiurawa is also easily accessible, as the rapid “Musashino” and “Shiomousa” trains run there. The “Musashino” departs from and arrives at Hachioji, but when coming and going between the Chuo Main Line and the Musashino Line, it also passes through a freight connecting line near Nishikokubunji, so you can enjoy twice the pleasure with one train.
The double track between Tsurumi – Hazawa Yokohama Kokudai – Higashi-Totsuka is a freight line on the Tokaido Main Line. This section is passed by some trains of the limited express “Shonan”. The timetable shows that the train in question does not go through Yokohama and is marked as “||”, which is recognizable. Physically speaking, the Tokaido Main Line freight line continues west of Higashi-Totsuka, running parallel to the passenger line all the way to Odawara.
In addition, a connecting line between the freight line in question and Sotetsu was built near the Yokohama-Hazawa freight station, allowing trains from Sotetsu to enter the JR line via Hazawa-Yokohama Kokudai. Therefore, it became easier to ride east of Hazawa Yokohama Kokuritsu Daigaku.
Then, what is the double line that parallels the west side of the Nambu Line from Fuchu-Honmachi for a long time? This is a section of the Musashino Line dedicated to freight, commonly referred to as the “Musashino Minami Line. This section used to be accessible by the “Holiday Rapid Kamakura” and is now accessible by the “Kamakura” limited express. However, it is only available on weekends.
The most difficult section near Tokyo is the connecting line between Kita-Kogane on the Joban Line and Minami-Nagareyama on the Musashino Line. The difficulty level here is high because only occasional extra trains are set up. The same situation applies to the freight line connecting Mikawashima on the Joban Line with the freight line on the Tohoku Main Line via Tabata. Although a one-shot tour train once passed through here.
© Source travel watch