The Fuku'en-sen is electric (DC 1500 V) Fukuyama – Fuchû (23, 6 km), diesel Fuchû – Shiomachi (54, 4 km). Trains continue from Shiomachi over the Geibi-sen to Miyoshi (7, 1 km).
Function of the line: As far as the small town of Fuchû trains serve the outskirts of Fukuyama and the small communities that lie beyond. Up to Kannabe (8, 4 km) the Fuku'en-sen is also used daily by a few trains of the Ibara Tetsudô, which since 1999 branch off there towards Ibara, Yakage, and Kiyone and Sôja on the Hakubi-sen. To Fuchû frequent local services are provided.
From Fuchû to Miyoshi the Fuku'en-sen becomes a mountain line as it climbs up steeply into the central highlands of West Japan. Since 1989, in order to bypass Hattabara Dam, trains travel over a new section of line which passes through the long Hattabara Tunnel (6123 m). Today, only few services are provided over the Fuchû – Shiomachi section, two to three trains in the early morning, one in the early afternoon, and two in the evening, with one additional seasonal working during the day.
Notes on the history of the line: 1914: Light railway (762 mm gauge) from Fukuyama to Fuchû (electrified in 1927). 1933 taken over by the state, re-gauged (1067 mm) in 1935. Completion of the line through from Fukuyama to Shiomachi 1933 – 1938. 1961 Fukuyama – Fuchû electric. 1986 end of freight workings. 1999 connection with the new Ibara Tetsudô. July 5/6, 2018, total closure after destruction by torrential rain and landslides. July 21, 2018, gradually reopened Fukuyama - Fuchû. (Miyoshi –) Shiomachi – Jôge on the upper section should reopen in October 2018. Fuchû – Jôge (26, 7 km) remain closed for the time being.
The name of the line derives from the two endpoints, Fukuyama (福山）and Shiomachi（塩町）、the first characters of these place names together （福塩） are read "Fuku'en".
