Kanden Tunnel Trolleybus

The is a Japanese trolleybus line between Ōgisawa Station, Ōmachi and Kurobe Dam Station, Tateyama. The line does not have any official name. The 6.1-km line runs almost entirely in a tunnel, except for about 300 metres at Ogisawa station and the approach to it.Lassbacher, Ernst (May-June 1989). "Trolleybuses in Japan: Part 3". Trolleybus Magazine, pp. 60–62. National Trolleybus Association (UK). ISSN 0266-7452.Murray, Alan (2000). World Trolleybus Encyclopaedia. Yateley, Hampshire, UK: Trolleybooks. ISBN 0-904235-18-1. The line is a part of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, together with another trolleybus line, Tateyama Tunnel Trolleybus.

History

The tunnel was originally built as access for the construction of the hydroelectric plant of Kurobe Dam, by the Kansai Electric Power Company (Kanden or KEPCO). It is only one lane wide, except for a short section near the middle, which is wider so as to allow vehicles going in opposite directions to pass.The trolleybus service began operation on 1 August 1964. After the dam and its power station were completed, the power company decided to try to attract tourists to the scenic location, as a source of income. The single-lane tunnel was not suitable for cars, and there was no space for parking, so the...
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