 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) |
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.
Design
The overall design concept of the train was overseen by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka. 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.
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. It was completed in July 2013. The coaches are based on the 817 series EMU body design and are mounted on 787 series EMU bogies. Manufacture of the passenger coaches was split between Hitachi in Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, and JR Kyushu's Kokura Works in Kitakyushu.
Train formation
The train consists of the DF200-7000 locomotive and seven coaches: five sleeping cars, a lounge car, and a dining car, with a total capacity of 28 passengers. The rear car of the train features two deluxe suites with observation windows at the end. All suites have their own toilets and shower facilities, designed in porcelain by the late Sakaida Kakiemon XIV. The total cost of building the train was approximately 3 billion yen.
The train is formed as follows.
| 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 |
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MaI 77-7001 (car 1)
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MaShiFu 77-7002 (car 2)
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MaINe 77-7003 (car 3)
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MaINe 77-7004 (car 4)
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MaINe 77-7005 (car 5)
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MaINe 77-7006 (car 6)
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MaINeFu 77-7007 (car 7)
Route
The train operates on two-day and four-day circular tours of Kyushu, starting and finishing at Hakata Station. Coach tours are provided from various stations along the route.
2-day itinerary
4-day itinerary
- Day 1
- Hakata → Yufuin
- Day 2
- Miyazaki → Miyakonojō → Hayato
- Day 3
- Hayato → Kagoshima-Chuo → Kagoshima
- Day 4
- Aso → Bungo-Mori → Hakata
History
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. Four coaches were delivered from Hitachi's Kudamatsu factory on 18 July 2013. The train entered revenue service on 15 October 2013. Introducing Kyushu to the world is a part of the train's purpose.
See also
- 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
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ""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.
- ^ "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
- Rowlatt, Bee (3 October 2013). "Japan's new luxury sleeper train". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
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