Ayame (train)
The was a limited express train operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) between , and via . First introduced in 1975, the last service ran on 13 March 2015. History. The "Ayame" service was first introduced on 10 March 1975, initially as four return workings daily between Tokyo and Kashima-Jingu. The late 1980s saw increased competition from long-distance bus services between Tokyo and Kashima, and from the July 1993 timetable revision, the number of "Ayame" services was reduced to three return workings daily. In December 1994, services were further cut back, with just one up service  in the morning and one down service in the evening. From the October 2004 timetable revision, the complementary "Suigō" limited express ( to via Narita Line) and "Hometown Narita" services were discontinued and the number of "Ayame" services was correspondingly increased to four up and two down services daily. From the start of the revised timetable on 10 December 2005, "Ayame" services were made entirely no-smoking. By March 2014, there were two return "Ayame" workings daily: one return working between Tokyo and Kashima-Jingu, and one between Tokyo and Chōshi. The services operated as all-stations "Local" services between Sawara  and Kashima-Jingu or Chōshi. The down "Ayame" 3 service from Tokyo to Choshi operated coupled to the weekdays-only "Shiosai" 17 service (to ) as far as , where the trains divided. From the start of the 14 March 2015 timetable revision, the remaining "Ayame" services were discontinued due to low ridership amid competition by bus services, despite the fact that its scheduled travel time between Tokyo and Kashima-Jingu was only one hour and 43 minutes, about 40 minutes faster than bus schedules. Formations. Trains were formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Tokyo end. All cars were  ordinary class and non-reserved.