Local railway companies decorating cars to lure passengers

Sunday 01st November, 06:19 AM JST

TOKYO —

Regional private railways plagued by severe financial conditions due to the falling birthrate and the popularity of automobiles are revamping and decorating secondhand cars from Keio Corp and other major lines to curb costs and attract tourists.

Fuji Kyuko Co in Yamanashi Prefecture started operating a retro-style two-car train, remodeled from Keio 5,000-type cars, at the foot of Mount Fuji on Aug 9.

The vermilion cars with wood floors, old-style seats and circular windows were designed by Eiji Mitooka, who also designed the cars of Kyushu bullet trains. “I would like passengers to reacquaint themselves with the charm of Mount Fuji by looking at it through the windows of this train.”

“We’ve created a train that provides passengers with a sense of tranquillity, not just a means of transportation,” said Fuji Kyuko President Koichiro Horiuchi.

Electric Railroad Co, whose services link Chuo Maebashi and Nishikiryu in Gunma Prefecture, is decorating Keio 3,000-type cars with seasonal illuminations. The cars were formerly used on the Inokashira Line in Tokyo.

The carrier started operating trains decked out with Halloween pumpkins and other decorations in mid-September. It will run Christmas train services from mid-November to Dec 25.

It also started a two-car Running Aquarium train in July 2009 with ceilings decorated with drawings of whales and dolphins. “As Gunma Prefecture is landlocked, we would like passengers to enjoy the atmosphere of the sea in the trains,” a company official said.

Wakayama Electric Railway Co, which took over the Kishikawa Line formerly operated by Nankai Electric Railway Co, started operating the Tama Train in March decorated with exterior illustrations of Tama, a popular calico cat adopted as a mascot by the stationmaster of Kishi Station in Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture.

The two-car train features calico patterned seats and shelves filled with books about cats.

According to the transport ministry, nearly 80% of the nation’s 93 local-level railways suffered deficits in fiscal 2007 and many have been trying to improve their performance by remodeling secondhand cars or through other steps.

“To attract tourists, it is important for railways to not only add new value to cars but also to improve station facilities, issue quality round-trip tickets and provide information about the scenery along their lines,” said Takuro Hamada, a transport journalist.

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11 Comments

TokyoGas at 07:56 AM JST - 1st November

Wish there were pictures.
mrsynik at 12:27 PM JST - 1st November

Sadly, a lot of these private and out of the way lines face a questionable future. No amount of tarting up cars will compete with 1000 yen weekend tolls in the long term.
JohnBecker at 12:10 AM JST - 2nd November

I haven't had all that many opportunities to ride the tiny local railways, but when I have, I've really enjoyed it. There's a lot to be said for riding a 2-car train doddering along through people's back yards, and for stations that aren't much bigger than a single one of those cars.
The758 at 09:54 AM JST - 2nd November

Hell, I'd rather ride a train than sit in a car in traffic
DarkKnghtZ at 11:20 AM JST - 2nd November

“I would like passengers to reacquaint themselves with the charm of Mount Fuji by looking at it through the windows of this train.” -- Whats wrong with a normal trains windows that display the same "charm?"

“As Gunma Prefecture is landlocked, we would like passengers to enjoy the atmosphere of the sea in the trains,”-- This is probably ranks up there with "eye pillows" on the stupid ideas in this country list. How is a painting going to accurately portray the atmosphere of the sea?

They could just be honest and say they got the cars dirt cheap 2nd hand and they need more passengers and it might be just as effective.
nandakandamanda at 02:52 PM JST - 2nd November

DarkKnightz " Whats wrong with a normal trains windows that display the same "charm?"

Er, the article says the revamped trains have circular (oval?) windows...
Yelnats at 03:53 PM JST - 2nd November

Circular windows make it sound like a submarine. Also, how do the people sitting on the other side of the train see fuji when they pass it by? Will the people with the good seats pay higher fair? Will the people with the bad seats climb all over the good seated passengers to see out the oval windows?
mrsynik at 05:28 PM JST - 2nd November

I haven't had all that many opportunities to ride the tiny local railways, but when I have, I've really enjoyed it. There's a lot to be said for riding a 2-car train doddering along through people's back yards, and for stations that aren't much bigger than a single one of those cars.

I rode the Ueda & Nagano Dentetsu Lines over the summer, the latter uses the Original Hibya subway cars. Both were very pleasant trips.

You don't have to worry about looking out the windows though if it does get full though. Most of your fellow passengers will just shut the blinds so you can't see out anyway. Thats happened to me on so many trains around the country and is rather irritating.
steen at 05:29 PM JST - 2nd November

Readers remarks are right on: the comments are somewhat pie in the sky. But, listen up, people! That line in Gunma is sweet! Ride it! Nishi Kiryu station is twee. Staff are friendly, helpful - some volunteers. Tobusen connects at Akagi.

Also, (even better) ride the Watarase Keikoku (valley) line (connect at Kiryu).
TheDave at 02:47 PM JST - 3rd November

Nagaden is a great ride, especially in winter.
zaichik at 03:10 PM JST - 3rd November

A Northern Aucklander writes: What is this strange Japanese thing called a "train"?

Japan's train system is really something to be proud of. The NZ railway system is so patchy as to be pointless....