Seven Stars in Kyushu

Seven Stars in Kyushu

The Seven Stars in Kyushu, November 2013
Overview
Service type Excursion train
Status Operational
Locale Kyushu
First service 15 October 2013
Current operator(s) JR Kyushu
Route
Start Hakata
End Hakata
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)
Dining space in MaShiFu 77-7002 (car 2)

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

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 cars.[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

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

Route

A dedicated tour coach for use by Seven Stars in Kyushu passengers

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

Day 1
Hakata → Nagasaki
Day 2
Aso → Yufuin → Hakata

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

DF200-7000 on delivery covered in protective black film, July 2013

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]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 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. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 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. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  3. ↑ "Concept". Seven Stars in Kyushu. Japan: Kyushu Railway Company. 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 "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. Japan: Tetsudō Journal (550): 146. August 2012.
  5. ↑ 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. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  6. 1 2 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.
  7. ↑
  8. ↑ "車両編成" [Train formation] (pdf). News Release. Japan: Kyushu Railway Company. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  9. ↑ ""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.
  10. 1 2 3 "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.
  11. ↑ 「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. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  12. ↑ ""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.
  13. ↑ Kurubori, Reina (16 October 2013). "Seven Stars sleeper promises railway luxury". The Japan Times. Japan: The Japan Times Limited. p. 8. Retrieved 16 October 2013.

Further reading

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