Twilight Express Mizukaze Explained

87 series
Twilight Express Mizukaze
Manufacturer:Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo
Yearservice:17 June 2017
Numberbuilt:10 cars (1 set)
Formation:10 cars per set
Capacity:34
Operator:JR West
Carbody:Steel
Aluminium alloy, double-skin(KiSaINe 86-1, 101, 201, 301, 401)
Carlength:21.24m (69.69feet) (end cars)
20.8m (68.2feet) (intermediate cars)
Width:2900mm
Height:4070mm
Floorheight:1220mm

The, branded, is a luxury hybrid diesel multiple unit (DMU) sleeping-car excursion train operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in Japan since 17 June 2017.[1] With a capacity of 34 passengers,[2] the train is used on excursions in the Keihanshin, Sanin, and Sanyo regions of western Japan.

Design

The train was built jointly by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Kinki Sharyo.[3]

Propulsion

The train is a ten-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.[4]

Styling

The train styling was overseen by industrial designer and architect and interior designer .

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.[5]

Train formation

The ten-coach train consists of six sleeping cars, a lounge car, a dining car, and observation cars at either end of the train with open balconies. Five of the sleeping cars have three private suite rooms, while one car has a single luxury suite occupying the entire coach and featuring a bathtub and private balcony. The train formation is as shown below:[6]

Car No.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Car typeObservation car Sleeping car Lounge Dining car Sleeping carObservation car
DesignationMFC2 TNF1 TNF3 TNF4 ML MD TNWF TNF2 TNF MFC1
NumberingKiITe 87-2 KiSaINe 86-101 KiSaINe 86-301 KiSaINe 86-401 KiRa 86-1 KiShi 86-1 KiSaINe 86-501 KiSaINe 86-201 KiSaINe 86-1 KiITe 87-1
Weight (t)55.2 43.8 40.3 41.6 58.3 58.1 48.7 40.5 43.8 55.3
Capacity8 6 - - 4 6 8
FacilitiesObservation deck Twin x 3 Single x 2, Twin x 1 Bar counter Kitchen Suite x 1 Twin x 3 Observation deck

Cars 1, 5, 6, and 10 are powered.[7] Cars 2, 3, 8, and 9, each have three double-occupancy "Twin" rooms, car 4 has two single-occupancy "Single" rooms and a universal design "Twin" room, and car 7 has one double-occupancy "Suite" room.[6] In addition to the en-suite toilets provided in all rooms, cars 2, 3, 5, 8, and 9 have toilets for use by all passengers.[7]

Catering

On-board catering will be overseen by food columnist, with some of the menus designed by chef, owner of the Kikunoi restaurant in Kyoto, and, owner of the Hajime restaurant.[5]

Tour routes

The train will initially be used on excursions in the Keihanshin, Sanin, and Sanyo regions of western Japan.[5] The following five tour routes will be offered:[8]

Sanyo Course (Outbound)
  • Two-day tour from and to via the Sanyo Main Line, stopping off at and en route.
    Sanyo Course (Inbound)
  • Two-day tour from Shimonoseki to Kyoto and Osaka via the Sanyo Main Line, stopping off at and en route.
    Sanin Course (Outbound)
  • Two-day tour from and to via the Sanin Main Line, stopping off at and en route.
    Sanin Course (Inbound)
  • Two-day tour from Shimonoseki to Kyoto and Osaka via the Sanin Main Line, stopping off at and en route.
    Sanin & Sanyo Course
  • Three-day circular tour from Kyoto and Osaka back to Kyoto via the Sanyo Main Line and Sanin Main Line, stopping off at, /, and en route.

    History

    JR West first announced its plans to build a new luxury cruising train in May 2014.[9] The name of the train, Twilight Express Mizukaze, and train logo were officially unveiled on 19 February 2015.[5]

    The first five intermediate cars of the ten-car trainset were delivered from the Kawasaki Heavy Industries factory in Kobe in March 2016.[10] The two end cars, KiITe 87-1 and KiITe 87-2, were delivered from the Kinki Sharyo factory in Osaka in August 2016.[11] Mainline test running commenced in late September, initially with the train formed as four cars.[12]

    See also

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: http://tetsudo-shimbun.com/headline/entry-911.html. ja: 「トワイライトエクスプレス瑞風」2017年6月17日デビューへ 料金も発表. "Twilight Express Mizukaze" to debut on 16 June 2017. 29 November 2016. tetsudo-shimbun.com . Tetsudo Shimbun . Japan. Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20161129235933/http://tetsudo-shimbun.com/headline/entry-911.html. 29 November 2016. live . 30 November 2016.
    2. News: Friel . Mikhaila . The best luxury train rides in 2024 . 8 May 2024 . Business Insider Africa . 13 January 2024 . en . 34 passengers.
    3. Web site: Mizukase Project Story Vol 1. 22 February 2016. West Japan Railway Company. Japan. Japanese. 5 March 2016.
    4. Web site: http://trafficnews.jp/post/38006/. ja: 「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" . 19 February 2015. Traffic News. Mediavague Co., Ltd.. Japan. Japanese. 19 February 2015.
    5. Web site: http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2015/02/19/416/. ja: 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. 19 February 2015. Mynavi News. Mynavi Corporation. Japan. Japanese. 19 February 2015.
    6. Nabeya. Takeshi . ja: 「TWILIGHT EXPRESS 瑞風」 87系寝台気動車. "Twilight Express Mizukaze" 87 series sleeping car DMU. . 57. 675 . 90–101 . Koyusha Co., Ltd. . Japan . Japanese . July 2017.
    7. ja: TWILIGHT EXPRESS 瑞風. Twilight Express Mizukaze. . 57. 671 . 56–61 . Koyusha Co., Ltd. . Japan . Japanese . March 2017.
    8. Web site: Twilight Express Mizukaze Press Release. 18 June 2015. West Japan Railway Company. Japan. Japanese. 19 June 2015.
    9. Web site: http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2014/05/21/425/ . ja: 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. 21 May 2014. Mynavi News. Mynavi Corporation. Japan. Japanese. 19 February 2015.
    10. Web site: http://railf.jp/news/2016/03/31/150000.html. ja: 「トワイライトエクスプレス瑞風」の中間車が川崎重工から出場. Twilight Express Mizukaze intermediate cars delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries. 31 March 2016. Japan Railfan Magazine Online. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan. Japanese. 31 March 2016.
    11. Web site: http://railf.jp/news/2016/08/16/200000.html. ja: 「トワイライトエクスプレス瑞風」の先頭車両が甲種輸送される. Twilight Express Mizukaze end cars delivered. 16 August 2016. Japan Railfan Magazine Online. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan. Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20160818231912/http://railf.jp/news/2016/08/16/200000.html. 18 August 2016. live . 18 August 2016.
    12. Web site: http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2016/09/jr_2209.html. ja:"瑞風"公式試運転開始. Mizukaze test running starts. 30 September 2016. RM News. Neko Publishing Co., Ltd.. Japan. Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20160930062117/http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2016/09/jr_2209.html . 30 September 2016. live . 30 September 2016.

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