Twilight Express Mizukaze

Twilight Express Mizukaze

Artist's impression published in May 2014
Overview
Service type Excursion train
Status Planned
Locale Japan
First service Spring 2017 (scheduled)
Current operator(s) JR West
On-board services
Sleeping arrangements Private suites
Catering facilities Dining car
Observation facilities Observation cars at each end of train
Technical
Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The Twilight Express Mizukaze (TWILIGHT EXPRESS瑞風) is a deluxe sleeping-car excursion train on order by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in Japan for use on services from spring 2017. With a capacity of approximately 30 passengers, the train will be used on excursions in the Keihanshin, Sanin, and Sanyo regions of western Japan.[1]

Design

Propulsion

The train will be a 10-car self-propelled hybrid diesel multiple unit (DMU) train combining a diesel generator and battery storage power, allowing it to operate on the non-electrified Sanin Main Line.[2]

Styling

The train styling is being overseen by industrial designer Tetsuo Fukuda (福田 哲夫) and architect and interior designer Kazuya Ura (浦 一也).

Logo

The train's logo design combines a stylized "M" with the angels used in the logo of JR West's Twilight Express sleeping car train, which operated from 1989 until March 2015.[1]

Train formation

The ten-coach train will consist of six sleeping cars, a lounge car, a dining car, and observation cars at either end of the train with open balconies.[1] Five of the sleeping cars will have three private suite rooms, while one car will have a single luxury suite occupying the entire coach and featuring a bathtub and private balcony. The train formation will be as shown below.

Car type Observation car Sleeping car Sleeping car Sleeping car Dining car Lounge Sleeping car Sleeping car Sleeping car Observation car
Facilities Observation deck 3 suites 3 suites 1 suite 3 suites 3 suites 3 suites Observation deck

Catering

On-board catering will be overseen by food columnist Takeshi Kadokami (門上 武司), with some of the menus designed by chef Yoshihiro Murata (村田 吉弘), owner of the Kikuoi restaurant in Kyoto, and Hajime Yoneda (米田 肇), owner of the Hajime restaurant.[1]

Area served

The train will initially be used on excursions in the Keihanshin, Sanin, and Sanyo regions of western Japan.[1]

History

JR West first announced its plans to build a new luxury cruising train in May 2014.[3] The name of the train, Twilight Express Mizukaze, and train logo were officially unveiled on 19 February 2015.[1]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 JR西日本「TWILIGHT EXPRESS 瑞風」トワイライトエクスプレスの伝統を継承 [JR West "Twilight Express Mizukaze" continues the tradition of the Twilight Express]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  2. ↑ 「トワイライト」消えず　JR西の豪華寝台列車は「TWILIGHT EXPRESS 瑞風」に [JR West's luxury sleeper train to be "Twilight Express Mizukaze"]. Traffic News (in Japanese). Japan: Mediavague Co., Ltd. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  3. ↑ JR西日本、新たな寝台列車を2017年春導入へ - ハイブリッド方式の10両編成 [JR West to introduce new sleeper train in spring 2017 - 10-car hybrid type]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2015.

External links