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SL Hitoyoshi

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SL Hitoyoshi
58654 on an SL Hitoyoshi service
Overview
Service typeJoyful Train
StatusOperational
LocaleKyushu, Japan Japan
First service25 April 2009
Last service23 March 2024
Former operator(s)JR Kyushu
Route
TerminiKumamoto
Hitoyoshi
Distance travelled84 km
Average journey time2 hrs 50 min
Service frequency1 return trip daily
On-board services
Class(es)Standard
Seating arrangements2+2 (standard)
Catering facilitiesCar 2
Observation facilitiesCars 1 and 3
Technical
Rolling stock50 series coaches
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The SL Hitoyoshi (SL 人吉) was a named steam hauled excursion train operated by the Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) on the Kagoshima Main Line and the Hisatsu Line between April 2009 and March 2024.[1]

Overview

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The SL Hitoyoshi ran a return journey between Kumamoto and Hitoyoshi once a day on weekends and national holidays from March to November. The train was inaugurated to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Hisatsu Line. A reserved seat must have been made prior to boarding. The train stopped at Shin-Yatsushiro, Yatsushiro, Sakamoto, Shiroishi, Isshōchi, and Watari.

Since the damage of the 2020 Kyushu floods to the Hisatsu Line, the SL Hitoyoshi temporarily ran between Kumamoto and Tosu Station.[2]

Rolling stock

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The SL Hitoyoshi consists of an 8620 (8620形) Class steam locomotive and three specially modified OHa 50 series (オハ50系) carriages. The interior design of the carriages was done by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka. On occasion the train was assisted or hauled by a Class DE10 (DE10形) diesel locomotive.

Exterior

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JR Kyushu train SL Hitoyoshi

The train livery is painted chocolate with grey roofs and SL Hitoyoshi motifs and lettering in gold.

In 2020, JR Kyushu repainted the SL Hitoyoshi black to replicate the Mugen Train from the anime film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train for a limited run from Kumamoto Station to Hakata Station from 1 to 26 November.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "One last journey for Japan's oldest steam train". The Japan Times. 30 March 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  2. ^ Kamoshida, Takumi (30 March 2024). "Hidden Wonders: Steam Train 'SL Hitoyoshi' Makes Its Final Journey". Japan Forward. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Train inspired by anime "Demon Slayer" begins limited time run". Kyodo News. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
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