For most of its length, it parallels the Tama River, the natural border between Tokyo and Kanagawa prefectures.

As of 1 October 2016[update] the following fleet of electric multiple unit (EMU) trains is used on Nambu Line services, with all trainsets based at Nakahara Depot.

[7] The private Nambu Railway opened the line in five stages between 1927 and 1930 (freight branches are omitted):[9] Passenger trains utilised electric multiple units (EMUs) from the beginning.

[10] Limited-stop "Rapid" services between Kawasaki and Noborito with stops at Musashi-Kosugi and Musashi-Mizonokuchi started on 15 December 1969, but were discontinued by the timetable revision on 2 October 1978.

[11] After 33 years, Rapid services between Kawasaki and Tachikawa with more stops started on 9 April 2011, postponed from the originally scheduled 12 March due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.