Seven Stars in Kyushu
![]() The Seven Stars in Kyushu in November 2013, hauled by a JR Kyushu Class DF200 diesel-electric locomotive | |
Overview | |
---|---|
Service type | Excursion train |
Status | Operational |
Locale | Kyushu |
First service | 15 October 2013 |
Current operator(s) | JR Kyushu |
Route | |
Termini | Hakata Hakata (loop) |
On-board services | |
Seating arrangements | Lounge car |
Sleeping arrangements | 2-person suites |
Catering facilities | Dining car |
Observation facilities | Observation car at end of train |
Technical | |
Rolling stock | 77 series coaches |
Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
Electrification | Diesel-hauled |
Operating speed | 100 km/h (60 mph) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/Mashifu77-7002_Dining_space.jpg/220px-Mashifu77-7002_Dining_space.jpg)
The Seven Stars in Kyushu (ななつ星in九州, Nanatsuboshi in Kyūshū) is a deluxe sleeping car excursion train operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) in Japan since October 2013.[1][2]
Design
[edit]The overall design concept of the train was overseen by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka.[2] The name of the train is derived from the seven prefectures of Kyushu and the fact that the train is made up of seven coaches.[3]
The dedicated diesel locomotive, DF200-7000, for the train was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe, based on the JR Freight Class DF200 locomotive, modified for use in Kyushu and finished in a livery of deep maroon.[4] It was completed in July 2013.[5] The coaches are based on the 817 series EMU body design and are mounted on 787 series EMU bogies.[4] Manufacture of the passenger coaches was split between Hitachi in Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, and JR Kyushu's Kokura Works in Kitakyushu.[4]
Train formation
[edit]The train consists of the DF200-7000 locomotive and seven coaches: five sleeping cars, a lounge car, and a dining car,[1] with a total capacity of 28 passengers.[6] The rear car of the train features two deluxe suites with observation windows at the end.[2] All suites have their own toilets and shower facilities, designed in porcelain by the late Sakaida Kakiemon XIV.[7][8] The total cost of building the train was approximately 3 billion yen.[6]
The train is formed as follows.[9][10]
Car No. | Running No. | Type | Manufacturer | Weight (t) | Facilities |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MaI 77-7001 | Lounge car | JR Kyushu | 45.3 | with piano, bar counter and observation area |
2 | MaShiFu 77-7002 | Dining car | JR Kyushu | 45.2 | with toilets |
3 | MaINe 77-7003 | Sleeping car | JR Kyushu | 45.4 | 3 suites, shower room |
4 | MaINe 77-7004 | Sleeping car | Hitachi | 44.3 | 3 suites, toilets |
5 | MaINe 77-7005 | Sleeping car | Hitachi | 44.3 | 3 suites |
6 | MaINe 77-7006 | Sleeping car | Hitachi | 44.2 | 3 suites, toilets |
7 | MaINeFu 77-7007 | Sleeping car | Hitachi | 45.1 | 2 deluxe suites, mini kitchen, crew room |
- MaI 77-7001 (car 1)
- MaShiFu 77-7002 (car 2)
- MaINe 77-7003 (car 3)
- MaINe 77-7004 (car 4)
- MaINe 77-7005 (car 5)
- MaINe 77-7006 (car 6)
- MaINeFu 77-7007 (car 7)
Route
[edit]The train operates on two-day and four-day circular tours of Kyushu, starting and finishing at Hakata Station.[10] Coach tours are provided from various stations along the route.[10]
2-day itinerary
[edit]4-day itinerary
[edit]- Day 1
- Hakata → Yufuin
- Day 2
- Miyazaki → Miyakonojō → Hayato
- Day 3
- Hayato → Kagoshima-Chuo → Kagoshima
- Day 4
- Aso → Bungo-Mori → Hakata
History
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Diesel_locomotive_of_%27Sevens_star_in_Kyushu%27_in_Nishi-Oita_sta..jpg/220px-Diesel_locomotive_of_%27Sevens_star_in_Kyushu%27_in_Nishi-Oita_sta..jpg)
The dedicated Class DF200-7000 diesel locomotive for this train was delivered to JR Kyushu's Oita Depot from the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company in Kobe on 2 July 2013.[11] Four coaches were delivered from Hitachi's Kudamatsu factory on 18 July 2013.[12] The train entered revenue service on 15 October 2013.[13] Introducing Kyushu to the world is a part of the train's purpose.[14]
See also
[edit]- List of named passenger trains of Japan
- Joyful Train, the generic name for excursion and charter trains in Japan
- Cassiopeia, a luxury sleeping car train operated by JR East in Japan
- Twilight Express Mizukaze, a luxury sleeping car excursion train operated by JR West in Japan
- Train Suite Shiki-shima, a luxury sleeping car excursion train operated by JR East in Japan
References
[edit]- ^ a b 九州の旅、列車で優雅に 「七つ星」13年秋発車 [Seven Stars for elegant tours of Kyushu from autumn 2013] (in Japanese). Japan: The Nishinippon Shimbun. 17 May 2012. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
- ^ a b c JR九州:豪華列車「ななつ星」 来年10月から運行 [JR Kyushu deluxe train Seven Stars in service from October 2013]. Mainichi jp (in Japanese). Japan: The Mainichi Newspapers. 28 May 2012. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
- ^ "Concept". Seven Stars in Kyushu. Japan: Kyushu Railway Company. 2012. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
- ^ a b c "JR九州「ななつ星in九州」の概要を発表" [JR Kyushu announces details of "Seven Stars in Kyushu"]. Railway Journal (550). Japan: Tetsudō Journal: 146. August 2012.
- ^ ななつ星の機関車完成、いざ九州へ [Seven Stars locomotive completed and delivered to Kyushu]. Yomiuri Online (in Japanese). Japan: The Yomiuri Shimbun. 2 July 2013. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ a b 九州の豪華寝台列車「ななつ星」来秋デビュー [JR Kyushu deluxe sleeping car train Seven Stars to debut autumn 2013]. Tetsudo.com (in Japanese). Japan: Asahi Interactive. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ^ "総工費30億 これがこだわりの豪華車両だ!JR九州「ななつ星」 ― スポニチ Sponichi Annex 社会". Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
- ^ "車両編成" [Train formation] (PDF). News Release. Japan: Kyushu Railway Company. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.[dead link]
- ^ ""ななつ星in九州"用編成" ["Seven Stars in Kyushu" trainset]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 53, no. 631. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. November 2013. pp. 44–45.
- ^ a b c "クルーズトレイン"ななつ星in九州"いよいよデビュー" ["Seven Stars in Kyushu" cruise train to debut shortly]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 42, no. 355. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. November 2013. pp. 10–13.
- ^ 「ななつ星」専用機関車、大分到着 漆の外観はまだ内緒 ["Seven Stars" locomotive arrives in Oita, livery is kept secret]. Asahi Shimbun Digital (in Japanese). Japan: The Asahi Shimbun Company. 3 July 2013. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ ""ななつ星 in 九州"の客車が甲種輸送される" ["Seven Stars in Kyushu" coaches delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
- ^ Kurubori, Reina (16 October 2013). "Seven Stars sleeper promises railway luxury". The Japan Times. Japan: The Japan Times Limited. p. 8. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
- ^ Eames, Andrew (8 December 2014). "Japan's answer to the Orient Express". CNN.
Further reading
[edit]- Rowlatt, Bee (3 October 2013). "Japan's new luxury sleeper train". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)