is the name of a number of train services that formerly operated in Japan by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and most recently an all-stations service operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) until September 1997 on the high-speed Tōhoku Shinkansen in Japan.
History
Express The name Aoba (written as "青葉") was first used from 20 November 1945 on an service between in Tokyo and on the Tōhoku Main Line. This continued until the train was renamed on 1 October 1965.
Limited express The Aoba name (written as "あおば") was reintroduced from 20 March 1971 on Limited express services between and . These services were discontinued on 24 November 1975.
Shinkansen From the start of services on the newly opened Tōhoku Shinkansen on 23 June 1982, Aoba was the name used for the all-stations shinkansen services operating initially between and Sendai, later between Ueno and Sendai, and eventually between and Sendai. Services initially used 200 series 12-car "E" sets with a Green (first class) car as car 7, and a buffet counter in car 9. Services later used 8-car 200 series "G" sets with a Green (first class) car as car 5, and a buffet counter in car 7. When the E1 Shinkansen made its debut, one set was used on Max Aoba services between Nasushiobara and Tokyo.
12-car E sets Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Numbering 221 226 225 226 225–400 226 215 226 237 226 225 222 Class Standard Standard Standard Standard Standard Standard Green Standard Buffet counter Standard Standard Standard
8-car G sets Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Numbering 221 226 225–400 226 215 226 237 222 Class Standard Standard Standard Standard Green Standard Buffet counter Standard
The number of Aoba services was reduced from 1 December 1995, following the introduction of the Nasuno all-stations service, and the name was finally discontinued from 1 October 1997 when the remaining trains were integrated with Yamabiko services.
Former rolling stock 200 Series 12 car E sets (23 June 1982 - 1 October 1997) 200 Series 8 car G sets (23 June 1982 - 1 October 1997) E1 Series 12 car sets (Max Aoba) (15 July 1994 - 1 October 1997)
See also List of named passenger trains of Japan
References