The is a former railway line and current bus line in western Japan operated by the West Japan Railway Company (JR West). The 108.1 km (67.2 mi) line connected in Shimane Prefecture to in Hiroshima Prefecture and featured 30 tunnels. Whilst the first section opened in 1930, the line was not completed until 1975. Owing to declining patronage, the entire rail line ceased operation on 31 March 2018, to be replaced by a bus service on 1 April 2018.JR三江線廃止 代替バス運行開始 Retrieved 2 April 2018

Stations

NameBetween (km)Distance (km)TransfersLocation 江津 -0.0 Sanin Main LineGōtsuShimane Prefecture 江津本町1.11.1  千金2.43.3  川平3.77.0  川戸6.913.9  田津5.419.3  石見川越3.022.3  鹿賀3.525.8  因原3.128.9 KawamotoŌchi District 石見川本3.732.6  木路原2.034.6  竹3.037.6 MisatoŌchi District 乙原2.239.8  石見簗瀬2.942.7  明塚2.345.0  粕淵3.148.1  浜原2.050.1  沢谷3.753.8  潮5.859.6  石見松原3.262.8  石見都賀5.668.4  宇都井6.474.8 Ōnan, Ōchi 伊賀和志3.478.2 Miyoshi, Hiroshima 口羽1.579.7 Ōnan, Ōchi, Shimane 江平3.683.2  作木口1.784.9  香淀4.889.7 MiyoshiHiroshima 式敷3.693.3 Akitakata 信木1.895.1  所木1.997.0  船佐1.498.4  長谷2.2100.6 Miyoshi 粟屋2.5103.1  尾関山3.0106.1  三次2.0108.1

Rolling stock

Services on the line were operated by JR West single-car KiHa 120 diesel multiple units.

History The Gotsu to Kawado section opened in 1930, and the line was extended progressively east, reaching Hamahara in 1937. The Miyoshi to Shikijiki section opened in 1955 as a passenger-only line, and was extended to Kuchiba in 1963, and Hamahara in 1975, completing the line.

Closure On 16 October 2015, JR West announced that it was considering closing the line owing to poor patronage, and was in discussion with the two prefectures served by the line, Shimane and Hiroshima, as well as other municipalities served, concerning future plans. In fiscal 2014, the line carried an average of 50 passengers per km per day, compared to 458 per km per day in 1987. On 29 September 2016, JR West announced that the entire line would close on 31 March 2018. The line then closed on March 31, 2018, with an event hosted by JR West.

See also List of railway lines in Japan

References