JAPAN The limited express AKEBONO

The limited express which uses the sleeping car of these 24 series is the limited express AKEBONO. The limited express AKEBONO is a typical sleeper train which travels through the Tohoku district. AKEBONO is old Japanese and means of a beautiful scene at dawn in which the sun rises. The limited express AKEBONO started operation in July, 1970. It operated between Ueno Station and Akita Station in Tokyo. This limited express only stopped at the stations with a night time zone. That is, it did not make passengers get on and off. It was the stop for the driver's shift. Thereby, JNR were able to rationalize the business of the station of a night time zone. Now, the limited express AKEBONO runs between Ueno Station and Aomori-Station. It goes back and forth one time on the 1st. It takes about 13 hours. Now, it is a night train of the only fixed operation which connects the Tohoku district to Tokyo. The limited express Akebono used the sleeping car of the 20 series at first. Then, this train used the sleeping car of the 24 series from 1980 because the sleeping car of the 20 series was superannuated.


As a limited express, the limited express AKEBONO was a train which uses the sleeping car of the last 20 series. The model uses this limited express AKEBONO of the 1980s as a model. The present limited express AKEBONO uses 25 types of the 24 series.

JAPAN JNR 24 series sleeping cars

A regulation of JNR is a regulation which stops trains immediately in the event of an outbreak of fire. However, a fire becomes intense and electric wires are broken. The train was stopped inside the longest Hokuriku tunnel in Japan in those days. The fire killed 30 people and 714 people were injured from the damage caused by poisonous gases. JNR were shocked by the size of the damage. The passengers of the sleeping car were sleeping. Therefore, there were many victims among the passengers of the sleeping cars. JNR inspected other new sleeping cars. The dynamo of the sleeping car of 14 series became a problem. It was because the dynamo carries fuel. However, JNR in those days were not able to develop a small piece of automatic fire-extinguishing equipment which can be carried under the floor of sleeping car. Therefore, the manufacture of the sleeping car of the 14 unfortunate series was stopped and a new style sleeping car which carried a power supply in a power source car was designed in a hurry. It was the sleeping car of the 24 series in 1973. The feature of this sleeping car was the performance of fire prevention. Therefore, the interior was simple at first.
By progress of subsequent technology, JNR remodeled this sleeping car. Now, as for the Japanese sleeping car, some vehicles of this series are still used.

Hokuriku tunnel 1972/11/6 1:00am

大きな地図で見る


Please look at the map of Hokuriku District in Japan.
On the north side of Lake Biwako, which is the greatest lake in Japan, is a big mountain range.
That is also a violent snow coverage zone and the old track which opened for traffic in 1896 had a serious problem.
There was a steep hill, with deep snow coverage and a landslide. A steam locomotive towed the train by a three-car connection.
However, the transport capacity was still insufficient.
A new construction of a long tunnel is not new in present day Japan. However, Japan in those days was recovering from defeat in the Pacific War.
Hokuriku tunnel was a symbol of the development of Japan in those days. The opening to traffic was big news.A new stamp which celebrated the opening of traffic through Hokuriku tunnel was issued by the Japanese government.
The new long tunnel had a new danger. Japan in those days had insufficient knowledge of the danger of a long tunnel. At 1:00 a.m. on November 6th, 1972, the KITAGUNI Express was running through Hokuriku tunnel. An EF70 type of a new style electric locomotive was towing it. It was the organization of the coach of 15 cars of 10 series. Fire broke out in the dining car(OSHI 17-2018) of 11 numbered passenger cars. The driver stopped the KITAGUNI Express from the report of the fire by a passenger. However, it was the 5.3km neighborhood from the entrance at Tsuruga of the Hokuriku tunnel.

Ironical fate.

The sleeping car of the 20 series was filled with glory and fame. The sleeping car of the 20 series was famous for graceful vehicles and dignity. However, it was used only on the main line at first. Then, a new sleeping car was required to promise the local route a comfortable journey. The sleeping car of 14 series was able to separate the organization of some coaches. That is because the dynamo was carried under the floor of some of the sleeping cars. However, its reputation was terrible. Rationalization was following the sleeping car of the 14 series. Therefore, the interior in the car was inelegant. It was also for the prevention of a fire from careless danger of cigarettes.


The diesel generator carried the same engine as the engine of a diesel car. Therefore, the complaint occurred from passengers who were not able to sleep. Furthermore, a fearful accident, which JNR did not expect, occurred. It happened during the night of a cold day of winter on November 6, 1972. It started its journey in Fukui Prefecture in Hokuriku District in Japan. The express KITAGUNI which is a No. 501 train of the arrival at Aomori Station from Osaka Station left Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture at the scheduled time. The cursed darkness was waiting in the direction of the movement of the Express KITAGUNI in the Hokuriku tunnel which is 13870m in length and built by JNR in 1962.

JNR 14 series sleeping car

JNR of Japan developed the epoch-making sleeping car after the Pacific War in 1958. It is a coach of 20 series sleeper trains. This coach was used by a fixed organization. It contained the power supply of vehicles carrying a diesel generator for exclusive use. Being intermingled with the coach of other forms was not taken into consideration. The body was unified with blue paint and a white belt. These 20 systems were used by limited express Asakaze between Tokyo and Hakata at first. Asakaze means it as a morning wind. It was said to seem like hotel on the move. It was a train after which I will yearn if a postwar Japanese wants to ride at once. The Shinkansen had not yet appeared. Commencement of the Tokaido Shinkansen was in 1964.
However, when the sleeper train was driven in various places in Japan, a problem arose. The separation of the organization of a train was performed by the destination on local routes. However, the organization of the coach of 20 systems had received the power supply from one power supply vehicle.
Separation of the organization of some coaches was difficult. So, a sleeping car was developed which was a sleeping car of 14 series. It was in 1971. It carried the dynamo under the floor of some sleeping cars. It was a sleeping car with a new design. However, 14 series sleeping cars which appeared faced a big problem. The sleeping car of 14 series were not blessed by fate.

JAPAN KATO N SCALE 5064 SURO62 Second class car

From JAPAN KATO N SCALE 5064 SURO62

SURO62 series is a first-class car of JNR which converted the wooden body into steel. Once, this coach was used with the express　from Ueno Station in Tokyo. And this coach was used in express Niseko in the Hokkaido　most famous for Japan which c62 series of the steam locomotive towed. As a Japanese second-class wagon, the reclining seat was used for the first time, and this coach turned into a second-class wagon specially.

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JAPAN KATO N SCALE 10-271 Fresh Fish Express Tobiuo Ginrin 8 cars Basic Sets , KATO 10-243 6 Cars Add-On Set

Japan National Railways run limited express trains as freight trains.
　A special train to transport fish “Tobiuo” traveled between Hatabu station in Yamaguchi prefecture and Tokyo-shijo station, which was at famous Tsukiji market in Tokyo as an international tourist spot, at 100 kilometers per hour. The name “Tobiuo” was named after flying fish.
The limited express “Ginrin” was also operated from Hakata station to Osaka-shijo station. It was named after the silver fish scales.
The limited express trains for cargo, “Tobiuo” and “Ginrin”, are fish transport trains, using a car which equips with refrigeration wagons of Lesa 10000 series. They have 2 types. One is the Lesa 10000 type which was produced a total of 137 cars in 1966 and 1969. Another is the Remufu 10000 type which was produced a total of 11 cars in 1966.
Both were operated only for Fish express freight trains traveling at 100 kilometers per hour.
From all over the country, such as Nagasaki, Nishikaratsu, Hakatakou, Kamitobata, and Shimonoseki, the railroad refrigerator cars gathered in the departure station, and operated after being structured as a special train to transport fish.
Previously, it took 42 hours and 30 minutes between Nagasaki and Tokyo markets and an auction was held on the fourth day after delivery. However, due to these trains, it was reduced to 27 hours and it became possible to have the auction of the third day after delivery.
At that time, other railroad refrigerator cars were quickly discontinued, but these fish transport trains were popular with cargo owners. A locomotive was towed by electric locomotive EF66 type, the most advanced at that time.
　But with the development of Japan's highways, the transportation method changed from freight trains to tracks. Rail transport was converted into container transport. In 1986, “Tobiuo” was changed into container transport, and the operation using fish transport trains was ended.

The Remufu 10000 type refrigerator car with a conductor's room includes interior lights as standard equipment and a tale lamp lights up. (Except for the tale light in the side of refrigerating room)

There are additional 6 cars of the Fish Express “Tobiuo and Ginrin”.
If you want to reproduce the peak 20 -car train of “Tobiuo”, basic 8-car set + additional 6-car set ×2
If you want to reproduce the peak 13-car train of “Ginrin”, basic 8-car set + additional 6-car set ×1
(10000 Lesa has one extra)

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JAPAN KATO N SCALE 5065 OSHI 17 Dining car

National Railway (JR) 10 series passenger train was developed in 1955 and was subsequently mass produced. It was a lack of warmth and a susceptibility to corrosiveness of the body by rain. In addition, in November 1972, the plastic body became a cause of the disaster killed 30 people in Hokuriku Tunnel fire in Fukuoka prefecture. The fire was caused by a dining car. Nevertheless, all passenger cars except for the dining car were used for express trains and local trains until 1985.

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JAPAN KATO N SCALE 5133-1,5133-2 SUHA43 Brown / Blue

The JR Suha43 series passenger train was produced for express trains from 1951.
Compared with existing car, it was revolutionary car which was improved dramatically. It was used for an express train at first. As well as being used for limited express trains throughout the Japan until the early 1980's, it was used for local trains early on.　Even now, few cars are used as a tourist train. Also it appears in Japanese movies with old steam locomotives.

The Suha43 series passenger car is representative of the railway carriages, which have been produced more than 1000 cars over the years. Therefore, it was repeatedly modified, and varied in the paint and equipment. The car was used daily throughout Japan.

　
For the filming of movies and television to recreate a nostalgic view of Japan, some of this car is still active. Also, it is said that the car is the model of “Galaxy Express 999”, which was animated by the famous author Reiji Matsumoto.

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　The passenger train was also used in the private railways as well as national railways. The robust and careful production and design made it possible to see the figure today. Even Japanese people who are unfamiliar with the railroad, many people have seen this car which has characteristic paint at least once.
　It reproduces beautifully the standard paint of JR old type passenger car. It is a nostalgic color.
The brown model reproduces the original press molding door. The blue model reproduces the shape of the rubber sash door made from metal.
It reproduces accurately the characteristic ventilator on the roof.

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JAPAN KATO N SCALE 10-561 Orient Express 88 Basic Sets 7 cars

1988, the Nostalgia Istanbul Orient Express reached to Hong Kong, passing through former East Germany, Poland, the former Soviet Union, China and Eurasian Continent.
After shipping from there, it landed in Shimomatsu, Yamaguchi Prefecture in Japan, and accomplished a total of 18,000 Km passenger operation to the final destination of Tokyo. It was published in the Guinness Book of Records.
In 1988, it was the 30th anniversary of the Fuji TV, which is a famous Japanese TV company, and the first anniversary of the JA group. To commemorate it, the Orient Express’88 was operated between Paris and Tokyo using the NIOE train car by the Fuji TV and the JR East, and also by the cooperation of the transit country’s governments and railways. The official name of the project is “HITACHI culture special ORIENT EPRESS’88”.
A executive producer of Fuji TV at the time, Numata Atsuyoshi, who was in charge of the special TV program “ Dreamy Orient Express London – Istanbul, the great 3,500 km journey”, had the passion for the Orient Express and challenged to start the great historical project.
But there were some difficulties like the difference of the width of the rail and standards of each facility, negotiations with governments and railways during the Cold War and so on. For example, more than 800 railways facilities throughout Japan were upgraded for the running of the train.
The Japan’s leading steam locomotive for D51, and electric locomotives for EF58 and EF65 (1000 Series, general type) were used for the memorable train tow. Also it traveled around Japan as an organization dedicated train, and public events were held in various regions. It attracted the attention as the earliest “international train” in Japan as well. The set is very rare, because the train has not been produced anymore and will not be operated again. It is already a premium product. Future prices will rise more.

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