Thirteen new trains, including express, commuter and tourist trains, made their debut in 2022. Compared to last year, many tourist trains started service despite the pandemic, such as trains that transformed the common area into a lounge and the entire car into a private room. Among express trains, JR Central's Series HC85 gained attention. It uses a hybrid system that combines electricity generated by a diesel engine and electricity stored in batteries. Also, subways and commuter trains with distinctive designs were introduced. Join us as we look back at Japan's latest trains and trends.
This year in Japan, many new trains commenced service.
Including express trains developed to reduce carbon emissions, universally accessible commuter trains,
and tourist trains introduced to revitalize regions during the pandemic.
In today's program, we review 13 new unique trains from 2022.
One of the most talked-about railway news items in Japan this year was the opening of the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen on September 23.
This shinkansen line saw the introduction of the "Kamome."
The "Kamome," which was based on the "N700S" developed by JR Central, was boldly redesigned.
Below the white car body, the Shinkansen is a vibrant red.
The "Kamome" logo is displayed boldly on the side.
The front of the lead car has been designed to look like a face, giving it a unique appearance.
The interior is decorated in warm colors.
It features wooden seatbacks, armrests, and tables.
While shinkansen are often used for business purposes, this shinkansen has a more tourist-train-style arrangement.
It's more comfortable than conventional trains.
It was quiet and very clean.
On July 1, JR Central started the operation of the Series HC85 - a hybrid train developed to replace existing diesel trains.
Conventional diesel trains have two diesel engines per car.
The output from these engines powers the transmission and drive shaft.
On the Series HC85, there is only one engine, which functions as a generator to produce electricity.
That electricity is then transferred to the motor.
In addition, when the brakes are applied, the train converts the friction into energy which also charges the battery.
The Series HC85 runs on power from both sources.
By using a single engine, we were
able to reduce operating costs.
From an environmental standpoint, we were
able to reduce fuel consumption by 35%, CO2 emissions by 30%, and NOx
emissions by 40%.
It's a more efficient and environmentally
friendly vehicle.
In addition, the Series HC85 has been designed to suppress shaking and reduce noise during operation.
In terms of noise, passengers could hear
the old diesel locomotive's engines.
The new vehicle has been fitted with
a two-layered anti-vibration structure and a soundproof floor, so it's much quieter.
Also, the new train only has one
engine per car instead of two.
So it's about as quiet as an electric train.
The Series HC85 is quieter than conventional diesel trains because it uses half the number of engines and runs on motors using stored electricity.
The Series HC85, which began service in July, currently runs on the Takayama Line between Nagoya and Toyama Stations via the popular tourist region of Takayama.
Yes, a highlight of 2022 is definitely the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome.
Railfans were excited about it, and the hashtag Nishi Kyushu shinkansen created a big buzz on social media this year as well.
Now Ryo, the base of the Kamome is the N700S right.
Does that make it a "new train?"
Well certainly N700S made its debut in 2020 on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen after it has been designed by JR Central, and Kamome shared the same mechanism, so from that point of view,
they are not new, but the interior and exterior designs of the Kamome has been changed significantly from the original N700S on the Tokaido Shinkansen, so from that point of view, we can safely say they are new trains of the 2022.
It created quite a buzz, didn't it?
Now Ryo, what are your thoughts on JR Central's new express train - the Series HC85?
This is actually the first express train in Japan that uses hybrid system.
The first?
Yes and also this is the first vehicle that uses the hybrid system and reaches the top speed of 120 km/h.
So another first.
Yes that's right.
So I think this is already a very great achievement and also the vehicle consumes considerably less energy compared to the older train sets and also
the passengers can feel the difference when they are on the train because the noise and vibration is really well controlled.
So all-in-all this is a very great achievement and JR Central is intending to introduce this train set other non-electrified lines as well.
It looks like we're going towards a greener future.
Now, let's check out the new commuter train for 2022.
On March 5, JR Central's new commuter train, "Series 315," made its debut.
The train runs between Nagoya and Nakatsugawa Stations on the Chuo Line.
The exterior design is a simple geometric pattern of straight lines.
The orange livery is the corporate color of JR Central.
Each car has bench seats.
In addition, the vehicle is equipped with a highly efficient power conversion device which reduces power consumption by about 35%.
352 of these new trains are scheduled to be in service by 2025.
Nagasaki Electric Tramway in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, launched its new Type 6000 on March 24.
The new spring-green train, the first to be introduced in 10 years, features an angular design.
This low-floor tram carries 62 passengers and has two wheelchair spaces per car.
On March 26, the new "Series 20" train debuted on the Kyoto City Subway's Karasuma Line.
It's the first time the trains have been renewed in 40 years.
On the day of its debut, many families and railfans gathered at the departing station.
The new trains consume about 30% less electricity than the previous trains.
Inside, traditional crafts from Kyoto are on display.
There is also a dedicated space for wheelchairs and strollers.
We would love many people to come and hear
how quiet the new train is for themselves.
Of course, that would help
our business as well.
The Transportation Bureau of Yokomaha City, which operates two subways lines, introduced the new Type 4000, which began service on May 2 on the Blue Line.
The new train, the first to be introduced in 30 years, has a dynamic blue design inspired by the color of the line.
Accessibility and comfort have been improved and security cameras have been installed for peace of mind.
This time, eight train sets were introduced, but with the extension of the line, ridership is expected to increase.
On May 14, the new "Type 6500" began service on the Toei Subway's Mita Line in Tokyo.
The Mita Line runs from a residential area in northern Tokyo, via business districts in the city, to residential areas in the south.
Until recently, the "Type 6500" was a six-car train, which is short for a commuter train.
This "Type 6500", however, is an eight-car train, which will ease congestion during peak hours.
The train's exterior is almost completely flat with no curved surfaces.
The aluminum and blue livery represents the color of the route.
104 of these cars are currently in service.
Commuter trains, they are part of our daily lives and this year not one, not two, but three subway train started service.
That actually is a coincidence, but there is one thing that is common among all these three cases which is that the vehicles are introduced to replace the older train sets that are aging and decades old.
It seems like also the thinking has changed in the meantime.
Now people are thinking how can we make it accessible for everyone, how can we make it greener, and how can we change the design?
That's right and the vehicle designers would have thought that instead of retro fitting the old vehicles with all those new features, it will be easier and even cheaper to build a new train and instead scrapping the older ones.
And speaking of the exterior design of the vehicles, I think there is one obvious trend here which is that vehicles are designed to be square yet stylish.
That's right.
Next let's have a look at the tourist trains of 2022.
On April 29, Kintetsu Railway, a major private railway company in western Japan, launched its tourist train "Aoniyoshi".
"Aoniyoshi" is an old word that was used to refer to the Nara area.
The train was designed to attract tourists visiting Kyoto and Osaka to Nara.
The four-car train's livery is an elegant purple.
Inside, there are private rooms like this one.
The walls and ceilings are decorated with designs inspired by Nara Prefecture.
From the train, passengers can enjoy the historic streets of Nara.
On July 1, JR West's new tourist train, "Sakubi Sakura," made its debut.
"Sakubi Sakura" was created together with a large-scale sightseeing campaign to promote Okayama Prefecture that ran from July to September.
The pastel-pink car body is reminiscent of cherry blossoms.
The train's interior resembles a calm forest.
On board, attendants provide sightseeing information and sell souvenirs.
Passengers can enjoy special boxed lunches made from local produce.
Sakubi Sakura makes two round trips a day between Okayama and Tsuyama Stations on weekends and holidays.
Oigawa Railway in Shizuoka Prefecture features trains from the famous picture book and television series "Thomas and Friends."
On August 19, a new addition to the Thomas family, "Toby the Tram Engine" began service.
With a square body and a cow catcher on the front, Toby is primarily a freight locomotive.
Toby began operation at Oigawa Railway, hauling five passenger cars.
"Toby the Tram Engine" runs on a section of the Ikawa Line that was built along a valley for the construction of a nearby dam.
Riding Toby was fun!
Toby talked to us onboard and gave us a quiz.
The whole ride was fun!
On September 12, the tourist train "Nostalgic Train Chokai" commenced service on Yuri Kogen Railway, a third-sector railway company running in Akita Prefecture.
To bring tourists back after the pandemic, 20 million yen was invested to refurbish the train.
Mt. Chokai, the symbol of the line, is painted on the car body.
The interior has a nostalgic feel, as the name suggests.
We want to welcome tourists
back to the region.
To that end, we created a train that passengers can
ride while enjoying some old fashioned comfort.
To coincide with the opening of the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen on September 23rd, JR Kyushu also started operating a new tourist train, "Two Stars 4047."
The train operates between Takeo Onsen Station in Saga Prefecture and Nagasaki Station in Nagasaki Prefecture, taking different routes on the way there and back.
This pearl-white three-car train features a gold stripe with two stars, making it stand out against the blue sea.
All seats are reserved seats.
The second car is a free space equipped with sofas and counter-seats.
Here, passengers can enjoy their meals as they watch the beautiful scenery pass by.
"Two Stars 4047" offers a new kind of railway travel in the Western Kyushu area.
Of all the tourist trains to come out in 2022, JR Shikoku's Iyonada Monogatari probably gained the most attention.
This "Iyonada Monogatari," which debuted on April 2, is the train's second generation.
The first generation "Iyonada Monogatari," which was created in 2014, was JR Shikoku's first full-scale tourist train.
It was so popular it was hard to get tickets.
The new vehicle was developed to replace the aging first-generation train.
Many upgrades were made to the 2nd generation Iyonada Monogatari.
Unlike the two-car first-gen Iyonada Monogatari, the new train consists of three cars.
The first generation Iyonada Monogatari
was a Series Kiha 47 local train.
The second generation is a refurbished
JNR Series 185.
It's a slightly newer, more
comfortable express train.
Our goal was to improve the overall services
and the quality of our vehicles.
Much like the first generation, the exterior color is a combination of red and gold.
The first generation was wrapped
in a metallic film.
The second generation was painted with metallic
paint, so it's more vibrant in the sunlight.
It can look quite different
depending on the angle.
The theme of the interior is retro-modern,
so the design is a nostalgic mix of Western and Japanese styles.
The walls here resemble Japanese
paper screens, while the lights look like paper lanterns.
Specifically, mandarin oranges
from Ehime Prefecture.
With one more extra car, there is now more space for seating.
Inside the newly built car No. 3...
Welcome aboard! Let me show you around.
This is our private room, "Fiore Suite."
Named "Fiore Suite," Car 3 is a private car that can accommodate 8 passengers.
It was talked about as one of the most decadent railway experiences in Japan.
"Iyonada Monogatari" runs on weekends and holidays on the Yosan Line section in Ehime Prefecture.
Departing from Matsuyama Station, the train makes one round trip to Iyo-Ozu in the morning and one round trip to Yawatahama in the afternoon.
Here is your meal. I'll bring
your coffee shortly.
Attendants prepare meals and provide onboard hospitality.
The meals served depend on the course.
This is the breakfast served on the train departing Matsuyama in the morning.
Other courses include a mini-French meal and a Japanese meal.
Everything was delicious.
The train is running slowly, so I could take my
time over the menu and enjoy each dish.
Along the route, local residents welcome Iyonada Monogatari.
They do this voluntarily and have done so since the train first started service more than seven years before.
The train runs along the line, past castles and other tourist attractions.
The most popular spot on the line is Shimonada Station.
The train stops here for around 10 minutes while passengers enjoy the majestic view of the coast from the station platform.
The view of the sun setting over the sea in the evening is especially popular.
Many of Iyonada Monogatari's passengers come to enjoy the scenery.
I was delighted by the local hospitality
and the attendants' excellent service.
Iyonada Monogatari is a fantastic tourist
train full of love for the local area.
I'm very satisfied.
In November, ridership of the second generation Iyonada Monogatari exceeded 20,000, just over eight months since it started operation.
Yes we have some wonderful, unique tourist trains for 2022.
What surprised me was there was so many despite the pandemic.
Well it depends on the vehicle and the design itself, but normally it takes something like 3 years from the planning stage to the actual start of the operation of these kinds of trains
so from that point of view, I would of have thought that there would have started the process well before the pandemic.
I see.
What I love about Japanese tourist trains is that they are not just a necessity, they are a whole experience.
They can be a restaurant, they can be a hotel, they can have an observation deck and they are place for the community to come together,
celebrate their region and get a new a tourist to come in and find out about the new train.
I myself was really impressed by looking at trains slowing down and places where passengers can view the great scenery from the train and also
I was impressed by a train dwelling at a station on a single track railway for 10 minutes blocking the track and that's unthinkable really from the point of view of railway people
who are trained to carry more passengers or carry more freight on a given infrastructure so from the point of view of the people operating those trains,
there is a very significant change in the mindset.
2022 saw some wonderful new trains.
We're looking forward to riding them all.