Usui Pass
The original Nagano Shinkansen "Asama" services, introduced in 1997, replaced the conventional Shin'etsu Main Line limited express services, also named "Asama", which previously took 2 hours 50 minutes from Tokyo (Ueno Station) to Nagano. Following the opening of the Shinkansen, part of the conventional line was abandoned between Yokokawa and Karuizawa. This section included the steeply-graded Usui Pass which required the use of bank engines on all trains.