first set entered revenue service on the line on 19 February 2018. From 2018, former 209-500 series ten-car sets based at Mitaka Depot for use on Chuo-Sobu Line services were reformed and converted to become four-car 209-3500 series sets based at Kawagoe for use on Kawagoe Line and Hachiko Line services. Rolling stock previously used 9600 class steam locomotives (until September 1969) KiHa 07 diesel cars (from 1955) KiHa 15 DMUs KiHa 20 DMUs KiHa 35 DMUs (1964 – September 1985) 103-3000 series EMUs (from March 1985 until October 2005) 103-3500 series EMU (from March 1996 until March 2005) 205 series 10-car EMUs x 32 (Kawagoe Line/Saikyo Line/TWR Rinkai Line services until October 2016) 205-3000 series 4-car EMUs x 5 (Kawagoe Line/Hachikō Line services until July 2018) 209-3000 series 4-car EMUs x 4 (Kawagoe Line/Hachiko Line services from March 1996 until February 2019) 209-3100 series 4-car EMUs x 2 (Kawagoe Line/Hachiko Line services from 17 April 2005 until January 2022) , all Saikyo Line 205 series sets have been removed from service. History Line opening A line linking Ōmiya with Kawagoe and continuing to the Hachikō Line at Komagawa was first proposed in March 1920. Construction work started in September 1935, with the line opening on 22 July 1940. Switch to diesel Services were initially steam hauled, but diesel multiple unit trains were introduced from 1 June 1950. The final steam-hauled passenger train ran on 30 September 1969. Electrification The line was electrified (1,500 V DC) from 30 September 1985, and through running commenced to and from the Saikyō Line, which opened at the same time. The tracks were doubled between Ōmiya to Nisshin, and a new EMU depot was opened close to Minami-Furuya Station. A special "Kawagoe Line Diesel Sayonara" train ran on the line on 3 November 1985. Hachikō Line through services Through services between Kawagoe and Hachiōji on the Hachikō Line began on 16 March 1996 following the electrification of the southern section of the Hachikō Line between Komagawa and Hachiōji. References External links Stations of the Kawagoe Line (JR East) Lines of East Japan Railway Company Rail transport in Saitama Prefecture 1067 mm gauge railways in Japan Railway lines opened in 1940