Chikuhō Main Line

The Chikuhō Main Line (筑豊本線, Chikuhō-honsen) is a railway line in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu).

A pre-series two-car BEC819 series AC battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) was tested on the line from April 2016,[1] and entered revenue service on 19 October 2016.

[1] The 39 km Wakamatsu to Iizuka section was built by the Chikuho Kogyo Railway, opening between 1891 and 1893, with the 12 km extension to Chikuzen Uchino opening in 1895.

[citation needed] The company was nationalised in 1907, with the 15 km Chikuzen Uchino to Harada section opening in 1929.

[citation needed] The 35 km Orio to Keisen section was electrified in 2001.

Chikuhō Main Line in northern Kyushu
Chikuhō Main Line (red) and Fukuhoku Yutaka Line (yellow)
The first BEC819 series BEMU set undergoing testing in June 2016
Kumagahata tunnel on the Kamiyamada line, 2013