Shintetsu Ao Line

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Shintetsu Ao Line
1500 series EMU on the 50 per mil gradient between Omura and Kashiyama, April 2011
Overview
Native name	粟生線
Owner	Kobe Electric Railway
Locale	Hyōgo Prefecture
Termini	Suzurandai Ao
Stations	20
Service
Type	Heavy rail
History
Opened	28 December 1936
Technical
Line length	29.2 km (18.1 mi)
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	1,500 V DC
Operating speed	70 km/h (45 mph)

The Ao Line (粟生線, Ao-sen) is a commuter railway line in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, operated by the Kobe Electric Railway (Shintetsu). It connects Kobe with its northwestern suburb, Ono. The line is 29.2 km (18.1 mi) long, extending from Suzurandai in Kita-ku to Ao, where the line connects with the West Japan Railway Company (JR West) Kakogawa Line, although all trains continue past Suzurandai to Shinkaichi via the Shintetsu Arima Line and Kobe Rapid Railway Namboku Line.

Between Suzurandai Station and Kizu Station, track gradient can reach 50‰ at most.