Nagano Electric Railway

The original Nagano Electric Railway was built in 1926, connecting Gondō in Nagano with Suzaka, and electrified at 1,500 V DC. Later that year, the company absorbed the operations of Katō Railway, which operated a line on the east bank of the Chikuma River from Yashiro via Suzaka to Kijima, with the Gongo to Yoshida section being double-tracked. The following year, an additional line was constructed from Shinshū-Nakano to Yudanaka, and in 1928, the line was extended to Nagano Station as dual track.

The Yoshida - Asahi section was double-tracked in 1956, and freight services ceased in 1979. CTC signalling was commissioned between Yudanaka and Asahi in 1980, and extended to Nagano in 1984. The section from Nagano to Zenkōjishita was converted to an underground railway in 1981.

Former connecting lines

Suzaka Station: The Kato Railway opened a 24 km (15 mi) line to Yashiro on the (now) Shinano Railway Line in 1922, electrified it at 1,500 V DC in January 1926, and merged with the Nagano Electric Railway in September the same year. Due to falling patronage, the line closed on 31 March 2012.

Shinshū-Nakano Station: The Kato Railway opened the 13 km (8.1 mi) line to Kijima in 1925 and electrified it at 1,500 V DC the following year. Freight services ceased in 1979 and CTC signalling was commissioned on the line in 1980, but due to falling patronage, the line closed in 2002.

Local services from Nagano operate to Suzaka, Shinshū-Nakano and Yudanaka, stopping at every station. Passengers travelling further than Shinshū-Nakano are generally required to transfer to a connecting train at Shinshū-Nakano.

Limited Express trains Snow Monkey and Yukemuri operate multiple services every day between Nagano and Yudanaka. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, one round trip of Yukemuri operates as Yukemuri ~Leisurely Train~ which slows down or stops at multiple scenic locations along the line.

Numerous "Event trains" operate on the Nagano Line. Kita-Shinano Wine Valley Train and Shinshu Local Sake Train operate throughout the year. Nagaden Wine Train, Nagaden Beer Train and Nagaden Japan Sake Train operate on specified days.