From 14 March 2015, the Ainokaze Toyama Railway took over control of local passenger operations on the 100.1 km section JR West
Hokuriku Main Line between in neighbouring
Niigata Prefecture and in neighbouring
Ishikawa Prefecture, with a total of 23 stations.
Service outline While the Ainokaze Toyama Railway Line officially stretches from Kurikara in the west to Ichiburi in the east, most services terminate at to the east, with a same-platform transfer provided to
Echigo Tokimeki Railway Nihonkai Hisui Line services. The 521 series trains will receive a new livery with a blue wave design on the seaward (north) side and a green wave design on the landward (south) side.
521 series 413 series Set AM03 was modified for use as a special-event train, named with new seat covers and a new external livery, returning to service on 28 August 2016.
Future developments From the first half of fiscal 2018, a 413 series set will be rebuilt as a tourist train, returning to service on the line in the second half of fiscal 2018. These sets will replace the ageing 413 series EMUs. ==History==