As the 381 Series running on JR West's Limited Express Yakumo service between Okayama and Izumoshi stations in Shimane Prefecture have been operating since 1982 and is retiring this June, it is going to be replaced by the 273 Series from 6th April this year onwards.
An artist’s impression of the Limited Express Yakumo running past Mount Daisen in Tottori Prefecture
According to JR West's Odekake website special page, it shows that the 381 series had been running since the JNR era and is going to be replaced due to aging equipment. Also, the fact that its operation spans three Japanese eras of Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa and the last surviving JNR Era limited express rolling stock is what invokes nostalgia among train otakus.
One reason why JR West decided to introduce a new rolling stock for the Yakumo limited express service is that the newer 273 series will offer a smoother ride around the route's many curves, as the 381 series is infamous for plaguing passengers with motion sickness due to their considerable tilt on curved sections along the route.
The 381 series is designed to travel on curved sections without needing to slowing down by tilting inward to suppress centrifugal force, causing a wide, slow shaking side to side, causing the passengers to get trainsick because of the constant tilting and swinging.
Route Map of the Yakumo Limited Express
Future operation plans of the renewal rolling stocks of the Yakumo limited express:
About the new 273 Series Yakumo limited express
The new rolling utilises "natural pendulum system with on-board control" (Japanese: 車上型の制御付自然振り子方式) technology jointly developed by JR West, the Railway Technical Research Institute, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Unlike the 381 series which relies on natural centrifugal force for tilting, the 273 series tilts optimally to improve passenger comfort*.
*Motion sickness evaluation index improved by up to 23%
Due to its appearance, the new rolling stock is officially nicknamed "Yakumo Bronze (やくもブロンズ)" due to the fact that is respect the nature, scenery, culture, and history of the area along the towns where the train is run. The livery of the train is a represention of different icons of the San'in region, which is the deep golden color of the sunset over Lake Shinji, the golden color of the tatara ironworks, the bronze color of the torches of the Daisen Summer Opening Festival, and the shakudo of the red tiled townscape. Also, the designer of this train is Yasuyuki Kawanishi, who also designed West Express Ginga and Setsugekka sightseeing trains.
Interior layout of 273 series
The following diagrams are the interior layout for the new 273 series
Car 1
Car 2
Car 3
Car 4
Facilities
Baggage Space
Washroom
Seating on board 273 series Yakumo
Ordinary Reserved Seating 普通車指定席: Seating formation in the ordinary carriages will be in rows of four in a 2 + 2 configuration, and the seats will be colored green as a reflection of the green mountains dotted along the train’s route.
Green Car グリーン車指定席: The warm colors from the exterior continue in the first class green cars which will have yellow seating in rows of three in a 1 + 2 pattern.
Semi Compartment グループ席: Comes with tables of 4 or tables of 2, so that families/groups can face one another while enjoying the views from large windows with foldable tables and side partitions to enhance privacy.
References:
(in Japanese) 381 系特急やくも「リバイバル塗装車両」の今後の運行計画について. (n.d.). https://www.westjr.co.jp/press/article/items/231215_00_press_381yakumo.pdf
Honolulu Star-Advertiser. (2024, January 25). Express train tuned up to reduce motion sickness. Advertiser. https://www.staradvertiser.com/2024/01/25/news/express-train-tuned-up-to-reduce-motion-sickness/
New Limited Express yakumo train designs revealed. Japan Station. (2023, March 21). https://www.japanstation.com/new-limited-express-yakumo-train-designs-revealed/
The 4km RTS Link was 65% complete as of Dec 31, 2023, surpassing the target of 57%.
Danish Raja Reza and Ameer Fakhri - 11 Jan 2024, 10:30am
JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is on track to be completed as scheduled by December 2026, says Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp).
MRT Corp CEO Mohd Zarif Hashim stressed the importance of the company’s subsidiary, Malaysia Rapid Transit System Sdn Bhd, adhering to the timeline agreed on by the two nations.
“The completion of the connecting span is a pivotal moment in the overall progress of the RTS Link, as it brings together the marine viaduct of both countries,” he told reporters in an interview.
The 4km RTS Link was 65% complete as of Dec 31, 2023, surpassing the target of 57%. It connects two stations: Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru and Woodlands North in Singapore.
At the commemoration ceremony of the completion of the connecting span of the RTS Link this morning, transport minister Loke Siew Fook said that the project had reached 68% completion.
Zarif also highlighted the project’s significance in enhancing the nation’s transportation system by establishing a seamless cross-border infrastructure to better serve the people.
He thanked Putrajaya and the Johor government for their assistance and support in realising the RTS Link.
It was previously reported that the project was expected to pull in 35% of the 350,000 people who travel across the Causeway daily.
Currently, a cross-border shuttle bus journey to Singapore from the customs, immigration, and quarantine complex at the Sultan Iskandar building ranges from 45 minutes to four hours, depending on traffic conditions.
With the RTS link, Zarif aims to slash travel time to just 15 minutes.
“The 15 minutes start from the point when you arrive at Bukit Chagar station until you reach Woodlands North station,” he added.
The light rail link will cater to up to 10,000 commuters per hour per direction during peak periods. It will be operated by RTS Operations Pte Ltd, a joint venture between Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and SMRT Corporation Ltd of Singapore.
Twilight Express Mizukaze (Japanese: トワイライトエクスプレス みずかぜ) is a luxury sleeper cruise train operated by JR West. This train is an excursion train, not a regular train. It is an atas train used for trips around Western Japan and with only a capacity of 34 passengers in a 10-car configuration, it is easily one of the most expensive train trips of the world.
The dark-green livery of the train is borrowed from a popular sleeper train called Twilight Express. Twilight Express is a sleeper train plying between Osaka and Sapporo and operations was ceased on 2015 due to declining demand for sleeper trains in Japan. The dive in demand for sleeper trains in Japan is because of an expanding Shinkansen bullet train network, and emergence of LCCs and highway buses that runs between cities.
Also, the Mizukaze logo have elements that are borrowed from the old Twilight Express logo. The "M" in the new Twilight Express logo is stylised in a way that matches the borrowed angels found in the original Twilight Express.
Lastly, the interior has some sort of a bland of 1920s Art Deco atas vibes with Japanese-style decorative touches from various regions that the train goes to.
The 10-car long 87 series is branded as "a hotel rolling through beautiful Japanese landscape" as seen on the official website. Therefore, the interior comprises a facilities of a 5 star hotel.
Configuration of the train
Observation Cars (found in cars 1 and 10)
Car no. 1 is the observation cars of the train. It is simply used by passengers to observe the rolling scenery of western Japan as they sit back and lepak. In the observation room, the are windows that goes all the way up to the ceiling, so that it allows passengers to look up to the sky. Also, it is home to an open air observation deck, which is what this atas train is famous for. Passengers can go to the observation deck just to obtain some fresh air and enjoy the wind breezes while the train keep rolling.
West Express Ginga is a luxury sleeper train operated by JR West. It runs between Kyoto/Osaka Area and Izumoshi in the San'in area. The rolling stock used in this sleeper service is the 117 series. The 117 series train was formerly used as shinkaisoku (新快速, special rapid service) commuter trains in the Kyoto/Osaka/Kobe area by the Japanese National Railways (kokutetsu, 国鉄, 國鐵). Btw, JNR was privitised and split into 6 passenger companies according to region and one freight company. However, some of those old trains was refurbished for use for sleeper services. Originally, this sleeper service was slated to start running by May 2020, but was postponed to September 11 the same year due to coronavirus infections.
117 Series for use on this sleeper service
San'in area
Made up of Shimane and Tottori, as well as the northern part of Yamaguchi Prefecture in the Chugoku region.
This sleeper service makes 2 round trips between Kyoto/Osaka and Izumoshi weekly since the start of operations on 11 September 2020. However, the eastbound service terminates at Osaka, so passengers going to Kyoto must switch to a shinkaisoku or kaisoku upon arriving in Osaka. Not just a sleeper service, it also operates as a daytime limited express train from Osaka to Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Sanin Route
Sanyo Route
Configuration
The West Express Ginga uses 6-car 117 series trains.
Car 1 is the reserved green car seating. This car have a capacity for 16 daytime passengers during daytime, and half of that for sleeper services. For daytime services, box seats are arranged with a foldable table and lamp. But, those box seats can be converted to a single bed with the table folded away during nightime. This car also have a mini longue space which offers some books.
layout of car 1
Car 2 is a standard car only reserved for female passengers. It comprises of a mixture of reclining seats and couchette style sleeping areas. Those couchette style berths are fitted with individual lightning for each berth and luggage storage space for convenience.
layout of car 2
Car 3 comprises both standard compartment and "family cabins" which have a bench style seating that can be folded out into a sleeping area and can house families of 3 to 4 people. It also houses a free space area equipped with books and magazines for passengers to use when they want to get up and stretch their legs.
layout for car 3
standard seating area with reclining seats
family cabins
free space area
Car 4 houses a multi-purpose recreational space for passengers to hang out where 4 of its tables have inlaid board games such as chess and backgammon, as well as also used for events.
layout for car 4
layout for car 5
inside car 4
Car 5 is a standard car that houses couchette style sleeping areas, which has "nobi-nobi" seats where passengers can lie flat and sleep.
sleeping berths in car 5
layout of car 6
Car 6 houses 5 premium green car cabins which offers sitting benches that can be converted to beds. 4 of the cabins are for multiple travelers, which holds up to 3 passengers during daytime and 2 during night time, while the other one is for single travelers. This car also has a free space area when passengers can seat and enjoy the passing scenery.
a green car private cabin in car 6
free space area in car 6
Things to do in San'in area
U/C
Suggested Itinerary
Day 0 - Kyoto ⇾ Izumoshi (West Express Ginga)
Day 1 - Izumoshi
Morning: Izumo Taisha Shrine and Former Taisha Station
Lunch at Izumoshi
Afternoon: JR San-in Line - Izumoshi ⇾ Matsue (46 mins)
or Ichibata Railway - Izumotaisha-mae ⇾ Matsue Shinjiko Onsen station (1hr )
Afternoon: Matsue Castle
Dinner + Hotel/Ryokan stay at Matsue
Day 2 - Matsue
Breakfast at accomodation + check out at Matsue accomodation
Take 25 min shuttle bus
Morning: Yushien Garden
Lunch
Afternoon: JR San-in Line - Matsue ⇾ Yasugi (20 mins local train), then change to shuttle bus (20 mins from Yasugi Stn)
Afternoon: Adachi Museum of art
Evening: Samurai District + dinner
Evening: JR San-in Line - Matsue ⇾ Yonago (37 mins)
Evening: check in at Yonago accomodation
Day 3 - Yonago
Breakfast at accomodation + check out
Morning: Mt Daisen
Lunch
Afternoon: Local Train to Sakaiminato + Eshima Grand Bridge
Evening: Stroll around Yonago town and have dinner
Night: Yonago ⇾ Osaka (West Express Ginga)
Merchandise
Plarail S-39 West Express Ginga (JPY 2640 tax incl)
