Kyûdai Honsen　　久大本線

This non-electrified line is sometimes referred to as the Kyûshû Ôdan line, the Traverse line across Kyûshû, as it connects the west coast with the east coast across the mountains from Kurume to Ôita. The line is 141, 5 km long, and on their journey from west to east trains first follow the Chikugo River and its tributaries up to the town of Hita. Here one can change to the Hita Hikosan-sen line across the Hikosan mountains to northern Kyûshû. The Kyûdai Honsen winds its way on until reaching the plateau of Bungo Mori, from where the steep descent begins along the tributaries of the Ôita River past the resort of Yufuin down to the city of Ôita. The spectacular views of Yufudake volcano (1584 m) and – through the trees further on – of Tsurumidake volcano (1375 m) are among the highlights of the line. At Bungo Mori the old locomotive roundhouse and turntable have been listed as cultural heritage. The former Miyanoharu-sen from here into the mountains in the south (26, 6 km) was closed in 1984.

Construction of the Kyûdai Honsen from Kurume to Hita took place 1928-1934, and from Ôita to Hita in small steps between 1915 and 1934. In the earthquakes of April 14 and 16, 2016, there was considerable damage along the line, and in the earthquake of April 29, 2016, much of the roof structure of Yufuin station was destroyed. On July 5/6, 2017, torrential rains and flooding swept away the bridge across the Kagetsu River west of Hita, which has resulted in through train services being suspended for a long time to come.

Through services have been provided by intercity diesel trains – partly attractive panoramic car sets - starting or ending on the eastern side at Yufuin, Ôita or Beppu, and on the western side at Hakata in the city of Fukuoka. Regional trains are relatively frequent in the west as far as Hita and in the east up to Yufuin.

The name of the line indicates "Main Line from Kurume to Ôita". Kurume is written 久留米, Ôita is written 大分 ; the characters 久大 together are read "kyûdai".

＃＃＃ In the torrential rain storm of July 5, 2017, the line was severely damaged between Hita and Teruoka, and the major river crossing there completely torn away. No date can be given yet concerning the reopening of the line here. ＃＃＃

＃The line could be reopened on 14 July, 2018 ＃