Ibusuki no Tamatebako

The Ibusuki no Tamatebako (指宿のたまて箱, lit. 'Ibusuki's Pandora Box') is a limited express service operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) in Japan since March 2011. It operates between Kagoshima-Chūō Station and Ibusuki Station via the Ibusuki Makurazaki Line.

Ibusuki no Tamatebako
Ibusuki no Tamatebako at Kagoshima-Chūō Station on 12 March 2011
Overview
Service typeLimited express
StatusIn operation
LocaleIbusuki Makurazaki Line
First service12 March 2011
Current operator(s)JR Kyushu
Route
TerminiKagoshima-Chūō
Ibusuki
Stops3
Distance travelled45.7 km (28.4 mi)
Service frequency3 return trips daily
On-board services
Class(es)Standard only
Disabled accessYes
Catering facilitiesYes
Observation facilitiesYes
Entertainment facilitiesYes
Other facilitiesToilet
Technical
Rolling stockKiHa 47/140 DMUs
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
ElectrificationDiesel
Operating speed95 km/h (59 mph)
Track owner(s)JR Kyushu

Service pattern

There are three return services per day. All trains stop at Kiire.

Rolling stock

The train was originally formed of two specially modified KiHa 47 diesel multiple unit cars, KiHa 47-8060 and KiHa 47-9079 (formerly KiHa 47-1079), based at Kagoshima Depot. The two cars were converted at JR Kyushu's Kokura Works.[1] A third car, KiHa 140-2066, formerly used in the Hayato no Kaze DMU set, was rebuilt in 2012 to Ibusuki no Tamatebako style, entering service from 24 March 2012.[2]

  • Car 1: KiHa 47-8060
    Car 1: KiHa 47-8060
  • Car 2: KiHa 47-9079
    Car 2: KiHa 47-9079
  • Car 3: KiHa 140-2066
    Car 3: KiHa 140-2066

Exterior

The train is painted black on the landward side, and white on the seaward side, with gold lining and lettering.[3]

Interior
Interior view of KiHa 47-8060 (car 1), March 2011

The interior design of the train was overseen by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka.[3] The train features totally new interiors with extensive use of wood for flooring, wall panels, and seating. Some seats are arranged facing the windows on the seaward side of the train.[3]

History

The Ibusuki no Tamatebako service was introduced on 12 March 2011, coinciding with the full opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen.

A third car, KiHa 140-2066, was modified and added to formations at weekends and busy seasons from 24 March 2012.[2]

See also

References
  1. ""指宿のたまて箱"用キハ４７形" [Ibusuki no Tamatebako KiHa 47]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 51, no. 601. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. May 2011. pp. 80–81.
  2. 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.
  3. "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.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ibusuki no Tamatebako.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.