Ibusuki no Tamatebako

Ibusuki no Tamatebako

Ibusuki no Tamatebako at Kagoshima-Chūō Station on 12 March 2011
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	In operation
Locale	Ibusuki Makurazaki Line
First service	12 March 2011
Current operator(s)	JR Kyushu
Route
Termini	Kagoshima-Chūō Ibusuki
Stops	3
Distance travelled	45.7 km (28.4 mi)
Service frequency	3 return trips daily
On-board services
Class(es)	Standard only
Disabled access	Yes
Catering facilities	Yes
Observation facilities	Yes
Entertainment facilities	Yes
Other facilities	Toilet
Technical
Rolling stock	KiHa 47/140 DMUs
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	Diesel
Operating speed	95 km/h (59 mph)
Track owner(s)	JR Kyushu

The Ibusuki no Tamatebako (指宿のたまて箱, lit. 'Ibusuki's Pandora Box') is a limited express service operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) in Japan since March 2011. It operates between Kagoshima-Chūō Station and Ibusuki Station via the Ibusuki Makurazaki Line.

Service pattern

There are three return services per day. All trains stop at Kiire.

Rolling stock

The train was originally formed of two specially modified KiHa 47 diesel multiple unit cars, KiHa 47-8060 and KiHa 47-9079 (formerly KiHa 47-1079), based at Kagoshima Depot. The two cars were converted at JR Kyushu's Kokura Works.^[1] A third car, KiHa 140-2066, formerly used in the Hayato no Kaze DMU set, was rebuilt in 2012 to Ibusuki no Tamatebako style, entering service from 24 March 2012.^[2]

• 
  Car 1: KiHa 47-8060
• 
  Car 2: KiHa 47-9079
• 
  Car 3: KiHa 140-2066

Exterior

The train is painted black on the landward side, and white on the seaward side, with gold lining and lettering.^[3]

Interior

Interior view of KiHa 47-8060 (car 1), March 2011

The interior design of the train was overseen by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka.^[3] The train features totally new interiors with extensive use of wood for flooring, wall panels, and seating. Some seats are arranged facing the windows on the seaward side of the train.^[3]

History

The Ibusuki no Tamatebako service was introduced on 12 March 2011, coinciding with the full opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen.

A third car, KiHa 140-2066, was modified and added to formations at weekends and busy seasons from 24 March 2012.^[2]

See also

• Joyful Train

References

1. ""指宿のたまて箱"用キハ４７形" [Ibusuki no Tamatebako KiHa 47]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 51, no. 601. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. May 2011. pp. 80–81.
2. キハ140 2066が「指宿のたまて箱」仕様になって出場 [KiHa 140 2066 outshopped as Ibusuki no Tamatebako car]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
3. "JR九州　キハ４７形改造車　"指宿のたまて箱"" [JR Kyushu converted KiHa 47 Ibusuki no Tamatebako]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 40, no. 324. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. April 2011. pp. 80–81.

External links

• JR Kyushu Ibusuki no Tamatebako train information (in Japanese)