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Train Suite Shikishima

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The E001 series (E001形), branded Train Suite Shiki-shima (TRAIN SUITE 四季島, Toran Suīto Shikishima, pronounced [toɾaɰ̃sɯiꜜːto ɕi̥kiɕima]) is a hybrid electric/diesel deluxe sleeping-car excursion train operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) since 1 May 2017.[1] The Train Suite Shiki-shima is one of the world's most exclusive and expensive trains.[2]

E001 series
Train Suite Shiki-shima
The E001 series train on the Nikko Line in diesel mode in June 2017
In service2017–present
ManufacturerKawasaki Heavy Industries/J-TREC
Built atKobe/Yokohama
Constructed2016
Entered service1 May 2017
Number built1 set (10 vehicles)
Formation10 cars per trainset
OperatorsJR East
DepotsOku
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel/aluminium
Car length20,800 mm (68 ft 3 in)
Width2,900 mm (9 ft 6 in)
Height4,070 mm (13 ft 4 in)
Maximum speed110 km/h (68 mph)
Traction systemVVVF (IGBT)
Acceleration1.5 km/(h⋅s) (0.93 mph/s)
Deceleration3.6 km/(h⋅s) (2.2 mph/s)
Current collector(s)PS37C pantographs
Safety system(s)
  • ATC
  • ATS-P
  • ATS-PS
  • ATS-DN
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Design

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The train uses a new "EDC" electric/diesel hybrid propulsion system, enabling the train to operate as an electric multiple unit under overhead electric wires or use two diesel generators in the end cars to power the train's traction motors on non-electrified routes.[3]

Cars 1 to 4 and 8 to 10 were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe, while the three bilevel cars 5 to 7 were built by J-TREC in Yokohama.[4] The Kawasaki-built cars have aluminium bodies, while the three J-TREC-built cars have stainless steel bodies.[5]

The train styling and interior decoration of the train was overseen by industrial designer Ken Okuyama, and is advertised as using only the best quality materials and exemplifying traditional Japanese craftsmanship.[6][7] Its overall design is reminiscent of the 251 series, also used by JR East.

Train formation

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The ten-coach train consists of six sleeping cars, a lounge car, a dining car, and observation cars at either end of the train.[6] Five of the sleeping cars each have three private suite rooms, while one car (car 7) has two deluxe suites - a split-level "maisonette" type and a single-level "flat" type.[6] The train formation is as shown below, formed of six motored ("M") cars and four non-powered trailer ("T") cars, and car 1 at the southern end.[4] All suites have a shower and toilet. The two deluxe suites also each have a bathtub.[8] One suite in car 4 is universal access.[4] The entire train accommodates only 34 passengers.[7]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Designation M T M
Numbering E001-1 E001-2 E001-3 E001-4 E001-5 E001-6 E001-7 E001-8 E001-9 E001-10
Car type Observation car Sleeping car Lounge Dining car Sleeping car Observation car
Weight (t) 64.1 55.4 51.3 49.5 44.6 50.1 50.5 51.8 55.4 63.9
Capacity 6 18 4 6
Facilities Diesel generator 3 suites Smoking Room[9] 2 deluxe suites 3 suites Diesel generator
Manufacturer Kawasaki HI J-TREC Kawasaki HI
  • Cars 2, 3, 8 and 9 are each fitted with a single-arm pantograph.
  •  
    E001-3 in September 2016
  •  
    E001-4 in September 2016
  •  
    E001-8 in September 2016
  •  
    E001-9 in September 2016
  •  
    E001-10 in September 2016

Planned itineraries

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The train operates on two-day and four-day circular tours from spring to autumn, and on three-day tours during the winter period, as shown below.[10] Tickets cost between $2,860 to around $10,000.[7] The Train Suite Shiki-shima operates itineraries that are crafted based on the season of travel to ensure guests experience the best of each location visited.[11]

2-day itinerary (spring - autumn)

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Day 1
Ueno → Enzan → Obasute (overnight onboard train)
Day 2
Aizu-Wakamatsu → Ueno

4-day itinerary (spring - autumn)

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Atsumi Onsen hot spring resort in spring
Day 1
Ueno → Nikko (overnight onboard train)
Day 2
Hakodate → Datemombetsu → Noboribetsu (overnight at hotel accommodation)
Day 3
Higashi-Muroran → Tōya → Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto → Aomori → Hirosaki (overnight onboard train)
Day 4
Tsuruoka → Atsumi Onsen → Niitsu → Higashi-Sanjo → Ueno

3-day itinerary (winter)

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Matsushima Bay
Day 1
Ueno → Shiroishi → Matsushima (overnight onboard train)
Day 2
Aomori → Hirosaki (overnight onboard train)
Day 3
Naruko-Onsen → Ueno

History

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An initial artist's impression of the train published in June 2013, and later changed

JR East first announced its plans to build a new luxury cruising train in June 2013, designed by Ken Okuyama, and provisionally scheduled to enter service some time after spring 2016.[3] A year later, in June 2014, JR East published more detailed plans for the new train, with a revised exterior design and service entry date scheduled for spring 2017.[6] The train's name and logo design were officially announced in October 2014.[12] Details of the planned itineraries were published in December 2015.[10]

The first seven cars (1 to 4 and 8 to 10) of the ten-car trainset were delivered from the Kawasaki Heavy Industries factory in Kobe in September 2016.[13] Main line test running commenced on 14 September 2016 on the Joban Line as a seven-car formation.[14] Cars 5 to 7 were delivered from the J-TREC factory in Yokohama on 27 September 2016.[15]

The service was launched formally on 1 May 2017. It attracted great interest, with tickets for the inaugural journey made available via a lottery that was reported to have been oversubscribed by a factor of 76. By the time of the launch, tickets were sold out until March 2018.[7]

  •  
    The first seven cars on delivery from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in September 2016
  • The full 10-car set on a test run on the Tohoku Main Line in January 2017

See also

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References

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  1. ^ 豪華寝台列車「トランスイート四季島」2017年5月1日デビューへ 料金も発表 [Luxury sleeping car train "Train Suite Shiki-shima" to debut on 1 May 2017 - fares also announced] (in Japanese). Japan: Tetsudo Shimbun. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  2. ^ "TrainReview". trainreview.com. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b JR東日本のクルーズトレイン、2016年運行開始へ - 新開発「EDC方式」導入 [JR East cruise train to enter service in 2016 - Using new EDC system]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  4. ^ a b c TRAIN SUITE 四季島 [Train Suite Shiki-shima]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 56, no. 667. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. November 2016. pp. 58–67.
  5. ^ Iharu, Kaoru (28 August 2016). 謎の枠、表記…　少しずつベール脱ぐ東西の新クルーズ列車、見えてきた「こだわり」 [Mysterious boxes and symbols... New East/West cruise trains gradually unveiled]. Traffic News (in Japanese). Japan: Mediavague Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 28 September 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d JR東日本、クルーズトレインのデザイン公表 - 運行開始は2017年春頃に変更 [JR East cruise train design unveiled - Operation start changed to spring 2017]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d "Japan's ultra-luxurious train hits the tracks for its maiden journey". BBC News. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  8. ^ クルーズトレインの列車デザインについて [Details of cruise train] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: East Japan Railway Company. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  9. ^ 32hrs on Ultra Luxury Sleeper Train in Japan, Shiki-Shima ($4,000 Suites for 1 night), 2 November 2023, retrieved 18 January 2024
  10. ^ a b 「TRAIN SUITE 四季島」の運行ルートの概要が発表される [Train Suite Shiki-shima route outlines published]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 3 December 2015. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  11. ^ "TrainReview's guide to the Train Suite Shiki-shima". 13 August 2020.
  12. ^ JR東日本のクルーズトレイン、列車名が「トランスイート 四季島」に決まる [JR East cruise train name announced: "Train Suite Shiki-shima"]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 7 October 2014. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  13. ^ Ueshin, Daisuke (6 September 2016). JR東日本「トランスイート四季島」神戸を出発、機関車の牽引で東海道本線へ [JR East "Train Suite Shiki-shima" leaves Kobe, locomotive-hauled to Tokaido Line]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. Archived from the original on 7 September 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  14. ^ E001系"四季島" 試運転実施 [E001 series "Shiki-shima" undergoes test running]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 15 September 2016. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  15. ^ Ueshin, Daisuke (27 September 2016). JR東日本「トランスイート四季島」全車両出そろう - 中間車3両を都内へ輸送 [JR East "Train Suite Shiki-shima" vehicles all completed]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.

Further reading

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  • Hori, Yuichi (August 2017). E001形の概要 [Overview of the E001 series]. Railway Journal (in Japanese). Vol. 51, no. 610. Japan: Tetsudo Journal. pp. 72–79.
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