Japanese train sets used for charters, special events and tourist excursions
Joyful Train (ジョイフルトレイン, joifuru torein) is the name given to railway rolling stock or train sets operated by the
JR Group in Japan primarily for charters, special events, tourist excursions, and other similar purposes.[1] Traditionally, this term is only used for chartered trains dedicated to large group travel, but in recent years, it has expanded to include sightseeing trains and tourist trains as well, as their distinctions are made ambiguous. This page includes all trains considered "Joyful trains" and "Signtseeing trains".
History
Origins
The "Joyful Train" concept can be traced back to 1960, when a 1935-vintage SuHaShi 29 dining car was converted into a Japanese-style o-zashiki train with tatami flooring and shoji paper screens on the windows. This could be coupled to regular service trains for use by charter parties. A second car was similarly modified in April 1961.
[2]
The first train to directly be called "Joyful Train" was the Salon Express Tokyo, a European styled train. The term has since been applied in retrospect to all trains produced before then that fits the descriptions. Many conversions of trains were done due to surplus rolling stock after the abolishment of certain express lines, and purpose-built Joyful Trains are rare. All cars on a Joyful Train are considered Green Cars.
Recent Years
Since the bursting of Japan's Bubble Economy, small group travel using buses have become more mainstream, and opportunities to use group trains have decreased, and so have been the demand of European style salon trains. Some JR companies such as JR Kyushu has at once completely abolished chartered trains in order to save costs, and European-styled Salon Trains disappeared from JR Central's rolling stock after the retirement of the Euroliner in 2004.
On the other hand, this shift has led JR companies to target individual travellers directly with sightseeing trains, in an attempt to increase regional development. Onboard such tourist-oriented trains, one can enjoy local products, famous sake, or other activities. Sometimes, JR companies has not used the term "Joyful Train" to refer to tourist trains, but since tourist trains are often operated as group trains as well, railway hobby magazines often use both terms, if not use them interchangably.
Locomotive-hauled Joyful Trains tend to be retired due to the time consumed in changing locomotives, as well as the aging of the rolling stock itself. Currently, the only loco-hauled Joyful Trains in service are the Seven Stars in Kyushu of JR Kyushu, the Salon Car Naniwa, the SL Yamaguchi, and the Banetsu Monogatari.
Formerly a Limited Express Service and a tourist train, the Cassiopeia trainset has been running as a group charter train since 2016. Its role as a Limited Express service was replaced by the
Hokkaido Shinkansen, and its role as a cruise train was replaced by the
Train Suite Shikishima.
The Banetsu Monogatari trainset hauled by D51 498, April 2011
Sightseeing trains are operated on each line of JR Shikoku. All of these trains are operated by DMUs, and there are no trains operated by electric trains. This is because most of the lines within JR Shikoku's jurisdiction are non-electrified.
Kaiyodo Hobby Train in its most recent paint scheme
JR Kyushu
JR Kyushu officially does not operate any Joyful Trains in the traditional definition. However, the following sightseeing trainsets that they operate are classified as "D&S Trains" (Design and Story trains), as according to JR Kyushu, each train has a design and a story based on the region that they operate in. In addition, the
Trans-Kyushu Limited Express is classified as a D&S Train as well despite not appearing on this list. Most D&S Trains are converted from regular rolling stock into sightseeing expresses, and are designed by
Eiji Mitooka. The Kampachi Ichiroku was designed by IFOO Corporation instead. However, it is important to note that the
Seven Stars in Kyushu is not classified as a D&S train, but a "Luxury Sleeper train".
36 represents Kyushu (the 36th largest island in the world) and the 3 represents surprise, excitement, and happiness. In addition, "39" is pronounced like "Thank You" in Japanese.[9]
[11] KiHa 140 series car converted from former Hayato no Kaze car in March 2012.[12] When the door opens, white smoke resembling that from a Tamatebako are dispensed from the top of the door.
KiHa 182-6001 was scrapped in 2015 while the remaining cars operated in a 2 car set. They were repainted into regular JR Hokkaido Limited Express color scheme and the "Kutsurogi" nameplate was dropped. The set was scrapped in 2022.
A 4-car 201 series set (W1) was modified in 2001 by JR East to become the special Shikisai (四季彩) tourist train, entering service on the
Ōme Line from 4 August 2001. This train featured panorama windows and transverse seating bays on one side of the train only. It was repainted into a new livery in June 2005. The train was withdrawn from regular service at the end of June 2009, with a number of special finale runs scheduled for July.
Formerly Resort Shirakami "Buna" (Replaced by HB-E300). Exclusively operated between Akita and Akita Port for passengers of cruise ships calling there. In 2020, the train was replaced by non-dedicated
GV-E400 series trains.
Formerly 2 cars, central car added in 1985. Destroyed by fire in 1988. End cars repaired and used as spectator transport for 1992's Sanriku Expo, then rebuilt as Kenji.
The cars remained in regular 12 Series paint scheme, unlike other Joyful Train sets. It's the second time the name Ikoi has been used for a named train in Japan, as it was used before by JNR.
The train is nicknamed SL Hitoyoshi due to the engine's former static preservation location in
Hitoyoshi. The steam engine used for the SL Aso Boy service broke down in August 2005, necessitating repairs and was eventually replaced by a JNR DE10 series diesel locomotive. Out of service due to repairs until 2009, the train was brought back into service as the SL Hitoyoshi.
In 2009, the SL Hitoyoshi name is made official with Aso 1962 taking over the Aso line from the former SL Aso Boy. Ran as SL
Kimetsu no Yaiba in 2020 as collaboration with the movie. Due to the age of the locomotive, JR Kyushu withdrew the SL Hitoyoshi from service in March 2024.
^"黒い787「36ぷらす3」2020年 秋 運行開始!"(PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). Kyushu Railway Company. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
^
abcde JR東日本 485系改造車"リゾートやまどり" [JR East converted 485 series "Resort Yamadori"]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 40, no. 327. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. July 2011. p. 70.
^ JR九州 キハ47形改造車 "指宿のたまて箱" [JR Kyushu converted KiHa 47 Ibusuki no Tamatebako]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 40, no. 324. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. April 2011. pp. 80–81.
^
abキハ140 2066が「指宿のたまて箱」仕様になって出場 [KiHa 140 2066 outshopped as Ibusuki no Tamatebako car]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
^ 「或る列車」としてデビュー! キロシ47形 [KiRoShi 47 series debuts as "Aru Ressha"]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 55, no. 654. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. October 2015. pp. 66–68.
^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. Archived from
the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
^
ab 485系ジョイフルトレイン「ジパング」 [485 series Zipangu Joyful Train]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 52, no. 614. Japan: Kōyūsha Co., Ltd. June 2012. p. 90.
^JR東 "ふるさと"廃車回送 [JR East "Furusato" sent for scrapping]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 7 September 2016.
Archived from the original on 7 September 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
^ 車両のうごき2011-2012 [Rolling Changes 2011-2012]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 52, no. 615. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2012. pp. 88–89.
^"SL銀河"が営業運転を開始 ["SL Ginga" enters revenue service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
^JR東海「Train117」の運用終了 [JR Central "Train117" withdrawn from service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
^消えた車輌写真館 [Disappeared Rolling Stock Photo Gallery]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 26 September 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
Japanese train sets used for charters, special events and tourist excursions
Joyful Train (ジョイフルトレイン, joifuru torein) is the name given to railway rolling stock or train sets operated by the
JR Group in Japan primarily for charters, special events, tourist excursions, and other similar purposes.[1] Traditionally, this term is only used for chartered trains dedicated to large group travel, but in recent years, it has expanded to include sightseeing trains and tourist trains as well, as their distinctions are made ambiguous. This page includes all trains considered "Joyful trains" and "Signtseeing trains".
History
Origins
The "Joyful Train" concept can be traced back to 1960, when a 1935-vintage SuHaShi 29 dining car was converted into a Japanese-style o-zashiki train with tatami flooring and shoji paper screens on the windows. This could be coupled to regular service trains for use by charter parties. A second car was similarly modified in April 1961.
[2]
The first train to directly be called "Joyful Train" was the Salon Express Tokyo, a European styled train. The term has since been applied in retrospect to all trains produced before then that fits the descriptions. Many conversions of trains were done due to surplus rolling stock after the abolishment of certain express lines, and purpose-built Joyful Trains are rare. All cars on a Joyful Train are considered Green Cars.
Recent Years
Since the bursting of Japan's Bubble Economy, small group travel using buses have become more mainstream, and opportunities to use group trains have decreased, and so have been the demand of European style salon trains. Some JR companies such as JR Kyushu has at once completely abolished chartered trains in order to save costs, and European-styled Salon Trains disappeared from JR Central's rolling stock after the retirement of the Euroliner in 2004.
On the other hand, this shift has led JR companies to target individual travellers directly with sightseeing trains, in an attempt to increase regional development. Onboard such tourist-oriented trains, one can enjoy local products, famous sake, or other activities. Sometimes, JR companies has not used the term "Joyful Train" to refer to tourist trains, but since tourist trains are often operated as group trains as well, railway hobby magazines often use both terms, if not use them interchangably.
Locomotive-hauled Joyful Trains tend to be retired due to the time consumed in changing locomotives, as well as the aging of the rolling stock itself. Currently, the only loco-hauled Joyful Trains in service are the Seven Stars in Kyushu of JR Kyushu, the Salon Car Naniwa, the SL Yamaguchi, and the Banetsu Monogatari.
Formerly a Limited Express Service and a tourist train, the Cassiopeia trainset has been running as a group charter train since 2016. Its role as a Limited Express service was replaced by the
Hokkaido Shinkansen, and its role as a cruise train was replaced by the
Train Suite Shikishima.
The Banetsu Monogatari trainset hauled by D51 498, April 2011
Sightseeing trains are operated on each line of JR Shikoku. All of these trains are operated by DMUs, and there are no trains operated by electric trains. This is because most of the lines within JR Shikoku's jurisdiction are non-electrified.
Kaiyodo Hobby Train in its most recent paint scheme
JR Kyushu
JR Kyushu officially does not operate any Joyful Trains in the traditional definition. However, the following sightseeing trainsets that they operate are classified as "D&S Trains" (Design and Story trains), as according to JR Kyushu, each train has a design and a story based on the region that they operate in. In addition, the
Trans-Kyushu Limited Express is classified as a D&S Train as well despite not appearing on this list. Most D&S Trains are converted from regular rolling stock into sightseeing expresses, and are designed by
Eiji Mitooka. The Kampachi Ichiroku was designed by IFOO Corporation instead. However, it is important to note that the
Seven Stars in Kyushu is not classified as a D&S train, but a "Luxury Sleeper train".
36 represents Kyushu (the 36th largest island in the world) and the 3 represents surprise, excitement, and happiness. In addition, "39" is pronounced like "Thank You" in Japanese.[9]
[11] KiHa 140 series car converted from former Hayato no Kaze car in March 2012.[12] When the door opens, white smoke resembling that from a Tamatebako are dispensed from the top of the door.
KiHa 182-6001 was scrapped in 2015 while the remaining cars operated in a 2 car set. They were repainted into regular JR Hokkaido Limited Express color scheme and the "Kutsurogi" nameplate was dropped. The set was scrapped in 2022.
A 4-car 201 series set (W1) was modified in 2001 by JR East to become the special Shikisai (四季彩) tourist train, entering service on the
Ōme Line from 4 August 2001. This train featured panorama windows and transverse seating bays on one side of the train only. It was repainted into a new livery in June 2005. The train was withdrawn from regular service at the end of June 2009, with a number of special finale runs scheduled for July.
Formerly Resort Shirakami "Buna" (Replaced by HB-E300). Exclusively operated between Akita and Akita Port for passengers of cruise ships calling there. In 2020, the train was replaced by non-dedicated
GV-E400 series trains.
Formerly 2 cars, central car added in 1985. Destroyed by fire in 1988. End cars repaired and used as spectator transport for 1992's Sanriku Expo, then rebuilt as Kenji.
The cars remained in regular 12 Series paint scheme, unlike other Joyful Train sets. It's the second time the name Ikoi has been used for a named train in Japan, as it was used before by JNR.
The train is nicknamed SL Hitoyoshi due to the engine's former static preservation location in
Hitoyoshi. The steam engine used for the SL Aso Boy service broke down in August 2005, necessitating repairs and was eventually replaced by a JNR DE10 series diesel locomotive. Out of service due to repairs until 2009, the train was brought back into service as the SL Hitoyoshi.
In 2009, the SL Hitoyoshi name is made official with Aso 1962 taking over the Aso line from the former SL Aso Boy. Ran as SL
Kimetsu no Yaiba in 2020 as collaboration with the movie. Due to the age of the locomotive, JR Kyushu withdrew the SL Hitoyoshi from service in March 2024.
^"黒い787「36ぷらす3」2020年 秋 運行開始!"(PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). Kyushu Railway Company. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
^
abcde JR東日本 485系改造車"リゾートやまどり" [JR East converted 485 series "Resort Yamadori"]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 40, no. 327. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. July 2011. p. 70.
^ JR九州 キハ47形改造車 "指宿のたまて箱" [JR Kyushu converted KiHa 47 Ibusuki no Tamatebako]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 40, no. 324. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. April 2011. pp. 80–81.
^
abキハ140 2066が「指宿のたまて箱」仕様になって出場 [KiHa 140 2066 outshopped as Ibusuki no Tamatebako car]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
^ 「或る列車」としてデビュー! キロシ47形 [KiRoShi 47 series debuts as "Aru Ressha"]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 55, no. 654. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. October 2015. pp. 66–68.
^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. Archived from
the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
^
ab 485系ジョイフルトレイン「ジパング」 [485 series Zipangu Joyful Train]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 52, no. 614. Japan: Kōyūsha Co., Ltd. June 2012. p. 90.
^JR東 "ふるさと"廃車回送 [JR East "Furusato" sent for scrapping]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 7 September 2016.
Archived from the original on 7 September 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
^ 車両のうごき2011-2012 [Rolling Changes 2011-2012]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 52, no. 615. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2012. pp. 88–89.
^"SL銀河"が営業運転を開始 ["SL Ginga" enters revenue service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
^JR東海「Train117」の運用終了 [JR Central "Train117" withdrawn from service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
^消えた車輌写真館 [Disappeared Rolling Stock Photo Gallery]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 26 September 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2011.