Gala-Yuzawa Line

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Gala-Yuzawa Line
200 Series Shinkansen approaching Gala-Yuzawa Station (January 2006)
Overview
Native name	ガーラ湯沢線
Owner	JR East
Locale	Yuzawa, Niigata
Termini	Echigo-Yuzawa Gala-Yuzawa
Stations	2
Color on map
Service
Type	Shinkansen
Depot(s)	None
Rolling stock	E7 series
History
Opened	1990
Technical
Line length	1.8 km (1.1 mi)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Electrification	25 kV AC 50 Hz overhead catenary

The Gala-Yuzawa Line (ガーラ湯沢線, Gāra-yuzawa-sen) is the unofficial name for a railway branch line in Yuzawa, Niigata, Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East).

The standard gauge line is a short (1.8 km (1.1 mi)) branch line that extends from Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the Jōetsu Shinkansen to Gala-Yuzawa Station, but is officially classified as a branch of the (narrow gauge) Jōetsu Line. The line has no intermediate stations.^[1]

Gala-Yuzawa Station serves the nearby ski resort Gala Yuzawa^[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]