Seven Stars in Kyushu explained

Seven Stars in Kyushu
Type:Excursion train
Status:Operational
Locale:Kyushu
First:15 October 2013
Operator:JR Kyushu
End: (loop)
Seating:Lounge car
Sleeping:2-person suites
Observation:Observation car at end of train
Catering:Dining car
Stock:77 series coaches
El:Diesel-hauled
Speed:100round=5NaNround=5

The 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 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

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. 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.[6] [7] The total cost of building the train was approximately 3 billion yen.[8]

The train is formed as follows.[9]

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

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: →
  • Day 2: → → Hakata

    • 4-day itinerary

    Day 1: →
  • Day 2: → →
  • Day 3: → →
  • Day 4: → → 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.[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

    Further reading

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/302582. ja: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. 17 May 2012. The Nishinippon Shimbun. Japan. ja. https://archive.today/20130218195850/http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/302582. 18 February 2013. 29 May 2012. dead.
    2. Web site: http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20120529k0000m020082000c.html. ja: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. 28 May 2012. Mainichi jp. The Mainichi Newspapers. Japan. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20120701193455/http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20120529k0000m020082000c.html. 1 July 2012. 29 May 2012. dead.
    3. Web site: Concept. Seven Stars in Kyushu. Kyushu Railway Company. Japan. 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120531225657/http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/cruisetrain/about.html. 31 May 2012. 29 May 2012. dead.
    4. 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. 146. Tetsudō Journal . Japan . August 2012.
    5. Web site: http://kyushu.yomiuri.co.jp/entame/railway/news/20130702-OYS8T00727.htm. ja:ななつ星の機関車完成、いざ九州へ. Seven Stars locomotive completed and delivered to Kyushu. 2 July 2013. Yomiuri Online. The Yomiuri Shimbun. Japan. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20130707155635/http://kyushu.yomiuri.co.jp/entame/railway/news/20130702-OYS8T00727.htm. 7 July 2013. 2 July 2013. dead.
    6. Web site: 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 . 2014-04-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130930144600/http://www.sponichi.co.jp/society/news/2013/09/13/kiji/K20130913006608280.html . 30 September 2013 .
    7. Web site: 車両編成. Train formation. News Release. Kyushu Railway Company. Japan. 28 May 2012. 30 May 2012.
    8. News: http://www.tetsudo.com/news/739/%E4%B9%9D%E5%B7%9E%E3%81%AE%E8%B1%AA%E8%8F%AF%E5%AF%9D%E5%8F%B0%E5%88%97%E8%BB%8A%E3%80%8C%E3%81%AA%E3%81%AA%E3%81%A4%E6%98%9F%E3%80%8D%E6%9D%A5%E7%A7%8B%E3%83%87%E3%83%93%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC/. ja: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. 29 May 2012. Tetsudo.com. Asahi Interactive. Japan. ja. 30 May 2012.
    9. "ななつ星in九州"用編成. "Seven Stars in Kyushu" trainset. . 53. 631. 44–45. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan . ja. November 2013.
    10. 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 . 42. 355. 10–13. Kōtsū Shimbun . Japan . ja. November 2013.
    11. Web site: http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0703/SEB201307030006.html. ja:「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. 3 July 2013. Asahi Shimbun Digital. The Asahi Shimbun Company. Japan. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20130703164926/http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0703/SEB201307030006.html. 2013-07-03. dead. 5 July 2013.
    12. Web site: "ななつ星 in 九州"の客車が甲種輸送される. "Seven Stars in Kyushu" coaches delivered. 19 July 2013. Japan Railfan Magazine Online. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan. ja. 19 July 2013.
    13. News: Seven Stars sleeper promises railway luxury. Reina. Kurubori. 16 October 2013. The Japan Times. The Japan Times Limited. 8. Japan. https://web.archive.org/web/20131016055810/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/15/business/seven-stars-sleeper-promises-railway-luxury/#.Ul4YbhCJmfM. 2013-10-16. dead. 16 October 2013.
    14. News: Eames . Andrew . Japan's answer to the Orient Express . . 8 December 2014 . en.

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