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15-572: The SL Ginga ( SL銀河 ) was a steam-hauled " Joyful Train " ( excursion train ) operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) primarily on the Kamaishi Line in the north-east Tohoku Region of Japan from April 2014 to June 2023. The train consisted of restored JNR Class C58 steam locomotive number C58 239 together with four rebuilt former KiHa 141 series diesel cars purchased from JR Hokkaido (themselves rebuilt from earlier 50 series passenger coaches and made surplus to requirements following

30-597: A 1935-vintage SuHaShi 29 dining car was converted into a Japanese-style o-zashiki train with tatami flooring and shoji paper screens on the windows. This could be coupled to regular service trains for use by charter parties. A second car was similarly modified in April 1961. The first train to directly be called "Joyful Train" was the Salon Express Tokyo , a European styled train. The term has since been applied in retrospect to all trains produced before then that fits

45-519: A total capacity of 28 passengers. The rear car of the train features two deluxe suites with observation windows at the end. All suites have their own toilets and shower facilities, designed in porcelain by the late Sakaida Kakiemon XIV . The total cost of building the train was approximately 3 billion yen. The train is formed as follows. The train operates on two-day and four-day circular tours of Kyushu, starting and finishing at Hakata Station . Coach tours are provided from various stations along

60-750: The Seven Stars in Kyushu of JR Kyushu, the Salon Car Naniwa , the SL Yamaguchi , and the Banetsu Monogatari . Sightseeing trains are operated on each line of JR Shikoku. All of these trains are operated by DMUs, and there are no trains operated by electric trains. This is because most of the lines within JR Shikoku's jurisdiction are non-electrified. JR Kyushu officially does not operate any Joyful Trains in

75-457: The coaches were painted blue, evoking the night sky, with constellation and animal designs on the sides. Internally, the coaches featured gaslight-style lighting and stained glass, evoking an early 20th-century atmosphere. The train consisted of JNR Class C58 steam locomotive number C58 239 and four coaches, formed as follows. The four coaches provide a total seating capacity of approximately 180. The dedicated SL Ginga train locomotive C58 239

90-638: The demand of European style salon trains. Some JR companies such as JR Kyushu has at once completely abolished chartered trains in order to save costs, and European-styled Salon Trains disappeared from JR Central's rolling stock after the retirement of the Euroliner in 2004. On the other hand, this shift has led JR companies to target individual travellers directly with sightseeing trains, in an attempt to increase regional development. Onboard such tourist-oriented trains, one can enjoy local products, famous sake , or other activities. Sometimes, JR companies has not used

105-407: The descriptions. Many conversions of trains were done due to surplus rolling stock after the abolishment of certain express lines, and purpose-built Joyful Trains are rare. All cars on a Joyful Train are considered Green Cars. Since the bursting of Japan's Bubble Economy, small group travel using buses have become more mainstream, and opportunities to use group trains have decreased, and so have been

120-567: The electrification of the Sasshō Line in 2012). The diesel cars provided additional power to cope with the line's gradients. The exterior and interior design of the train was overseen by industrial designer Ken Okuyama . The overall concept was inspired by the classic novel Night on the Galactic Railroad written by Japanese author Kenji Miyazawa , who lived in Hanamaki, Iwate . Externally,

135-414: The term "Joyful Train" to refer to tourist trains, but since tourist trains are often operated as group trains as well, railway hobby magazines often use both terms, if not use them interchangeably. Locomotive-hauled Joyful Trains tend to be retired due to the time consumed in changing locomotives, as well as the aging of the rolling stock itself. Currently, the only loco-hauled Joyful Trains in service are

150-600: The traditional definition. However, the following sightseeing trainsets that they operate are classified as "D&S Trains" (Design and Story trains), as according to JR Kyushu, each train has a design and a story based on the region that they operate in. In addition, the Trans-Kyushu Limited Express is classified as a D&S Train as well despite not appearing on this list. Most D&S Trains are converted from regular rolling stock into sightseeing expresses, and are designed by Eiji Mitooka . The Kampachi Ichiroku

165-586: The train was overseen by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka . The name of the train is derived from the seven prefectures of Kyushu and the fact that the train is made up of seven coaches. The dedicated diesel locomotive, DF200-7000, for the train was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe, based on the JR Freight Class DF200 locomotive, modified for use in Kyushu and finished in a livery of deep maroon. It

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180-497: Was announced in 2021 that the service would be withdrawn in spring 2023 due to the increasing age and deterioration of the KiHa 141 passenger cars. The train made its final run on 11 June 2023 to throngs of railway enthusiasts and locals bidding it farewell. The future for the locomotive currently remains uncertain. Joyful Train The "Joyful Train" concept can be traced back to 1960, when

195-686: Was built in June 1940 by Kawasaki Sharyo, and was based at various depots around the country, including Nagoya, Nara, and Morioka, before being withdrawn on 22 May 1972. From 1 May 1973, it was preserved in a park in Morioka, Iwate . It was moved from the park by road to JR East's Omiya Works in Saitama Prefecture in December 2012. The completed train was shown off to the public at Morioka Station on 2 February 2014. It entered revenue service on 12 April 2014. It

210-606: Was completed in July 2013. The coaches are based on the 817 series EMU body design and are mounted on 787 series EMU bogies. Manufacture of the passenger coaches was split between Hitachi in Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi , and JR Kyushu's Kokura Works in Kitakyushu . The train consists of the DF200-7000 locomotive and seven coaches: five sleeping cars , a lounge car , and a dining car , with

225-698: Was designed by IFOO Corporation instead. However, it is important to note that the Seven Stars in Kyushu is not classified as a D&S train, but a "Luxury Sleeper train". Converted to become Kampachi Ichiroku . Seven Stars in Kyushu The Seven Stars in Kyushu ( ななつ星ｉｎ九州 , Nanatsuboshi in Kyūshū ) is a deluxe sleeping car excursion train operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) in Japan since October 2013. The overall design concept of

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