Sunrise Seto

Sunrise Seto

285 series EMU on a Sunrise Seto service, May 2009
Overview
Service type Limited express
Status Operational
Locale Japan
Predecessor Seto
First service 10 July 1998
Current operator(s) JR Central, JR West
Route
Start Tokyo
End Takamatsu
Distance travelled 804.7 km (500.0 mi)
Average journey time approx. 9 hours 30 minutes
Service frequency 1 return working daily
On-board services
Seating arrangements None
Sleeping arrangements Private compartments/open-plan sleeping areas
Catering facilities None
Technical
Rolling stock 285 series EMUs
Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification 1,500 V DC
Operating speed 130 km/h (80 mph)

The Sunrise Seto (サンライズ瀬戸 Sanraizu Seto) is an overnight sleeping car train service in Japan operated jointly by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) and West Japan Railway Company (JR West) since July 1998.[1][2]

Operations

The Sunrise Seto runs daily between Tokyo and Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, taking approximately 9 hours 30 minutes for the 804.7 km (500.0 mi) journey.[2] The service operates in conjunction with the Sunrise Izumo service to Izumoshi between Tokyo and Okayama. From Tokyo, the combined 14-car train departs at 22:00, and stops at Yokohama, Atami, Numazu, Fuji, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu (final evening stop), Himeji (first morning stop), and arrives at Okayama at 06:27, where the train splits, with the Sunrise Izumo half of the train heading to Izumoshi.[3] Between Okayama and Takamatsu, the 7-car Sunrise Seto train stops at Kojima and Sakaide, before arriving in Takamatsu at 07:27.[3]

The return working from Takamatsu departs at 21:26, and is coupled with the Sunrise Izumo from Izumoshi at Okayama Station, departing together at 22:33, and arriving at Tokyo Station at 07:08.[3]

Formation

Trains are formed of dedicated 7-car 285 series Sunrise Express electric multiple units (EMUs) owned by both JR Central and JR West. They are formed as shown below, with cars numbered 8 to 14 in the down (westbound) direction, with car 14 at the Tokyo end, and 1 to 7 in the up (Tokyo-bound) direction, with car 7 at the Tokyo end.[1]

Car No. 1/8 2/9 3/10 4/11 5/12 6/13 7/14
Numbering KuHaNe 285 SaHaNe 285 MoHaNe 285 SaRoHaNe 285 MoHaNe 285 SaHaNe 285 KuHaNe 285
Accommodation B single berths B single berths B solo berths Single DX berths B single berths
Nobinobi floor space 		B single berths B single berths
B single/ single-twin berths B single/ single-twin berths Sunrise twin berths B single/ single-twin berths B single/ single-twin berths
Facilities     Mini saloon area, vending machine, shower   Vending machine    

Accommodation and fees

The Sunrise Seto consists of type "A" (Single Deluxe) and type "B" accommodation. A flat fee is charged for all compartments, regardless of starting or ending point. The other fares, the basic fare and limited express fare, are based on distance. For tourists using the Japan Rail Pass, the basic fare does not have to be paid. A shower is located in car 3/10. Passengers using the type "A" Single Deluxe compartments can use the dedicated showers in their carriage for free.

History

Locomotive-hauled Seto service, October 1995

The Sunrise Seto services were introduced together with the Sunrise Izumo on 10 July 1998.[5] Previously, the Seto operated as a separate "Blue train" service connecting Tokyo with Takamatsu.[6] The Sunrise Izumo was intended to attract more passengers to train transportation by introducing newly designed trains and by reducing the journey time.

Ridership on overnight trains in Japan continues to decline, and from March 2009, the Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto became the only overnight sleeping car trains to operate west of Tokyo via the Tokaido Line.[7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 ＪＲ新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. 2008. p. 124. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
  2. 1 2 Haraguchi, Takayuki (2009). Encyclopedia of JR's Railway Cars: ＪＲ全車輌. Japan: Sekai Bunka. p. 34. ISBN 978-4-418-09905-4.
  3. 1 2 3 4 JR時刻表 [JR Timetable]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. March 2013. p. 144. EAN 4910053110334.
  4. ↑ JR電車編成表 2013夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2013]. Japan: JRR. May 2013. p. 122. ISBN 978-4-330-37313-3.
  5. ↑ こだわりの新幹線＆特急列車ガイド [In-depth Shinkansen & Limited Express Guide]. Japan: Ikaros Publishing. August 2000. pp. 194–195. ISBN 4-87149-284-2.
  6. ↑ 最新特急大カタログ [Modern Limited Express Catalogue]. Japan: JTB. November 1992. p. 110.
  7. ↑ Ogano, Minoru (March 2011). 新幹線・特急大図鑑2011 [Shinkansen & Limited Express Directory 2011]. Japan: JTB Publishing. p. 112. ISBN 978-4-533-08193-4.
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