No. 792: Who said “Japanese railway can be characterized only by safety and punctuality”? (October 20, 2013)

Technology:

The Cruise Train Seven Stars in Kyushu

The “Cruise　Train Seven Stars in Kyushu” that is the luxurious sleeper train operated by JR Kyushu inaugurated the service on October 15. The word “Seven” means seven prefectures of Kyushu, the number of trains because it is made up of seven trains, and seven major sightseeing materials of Kyushu, namely nature, food, hot spring, history and culture, power spot, human nature, and train. Because JR Kyushu positions the new sleeper train as the “space for adults,” children younger than 12 years old are not allowed to participate in the tour. In addition, smoking is not allowed in the train. 

The new luxurious sleeper train adopted the active suspension for train developed by Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal. This active suspension is the mechanism to decrease the rolling of a train. Responding to the sensor that detects the oscillation of the train, the actuator generates the reversely-oriented force to eliminate the oscillation. Besides advanced technologies that materialized this train, people can get excited with supplies, such as cup, dish, plate, chair, desk, and sofa, made by Japanese traditional craftsmanship on the train. You need to prepare 380,000-550,000 yen for a four-day three-night trip (two stays in the train and one stay in a hotel) per person.

 The gorgeous "Cruise Train Seven Stars in Kyushu"

Inside the "Cruise Train Seven Stars in Kyushu"

The most expensive deluxe suite
Some day, you can be a guest.