The train is a ten-car self-propelled hybriddiesel multiple unit (DMU) train combining a diesel generator and battery storage power, allowing it to operate on the non-electrified Sanin Main Line.[5]
The train's logo design combines a stylized "M" with the angels used in the logo of JR West's Twilight Express sleeping car train, which operated from 1989 until March 2015.[6]
The ten-coach train consists of six sleeping cars, a lounge car, a dining car, and observation cars at either end of the train with open balconies. Five of the sleeping cars have three private suite rooms, while one car has a single luxury suite occupying the entire coach and featuring a bathtub and private balcony. The train formation is as shown below:[3]
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Car type
Observation car
Sleeping car
Lounge
Dining car
Sleeping car
Observation car
Designation
MFC2
TNF1
TNF3
TNF4
ML
MD
TNWF
TNF2
TNF
MFC1
Numbering
KiITe 87-2
KiSaINe 86-101
KiSaINe 86-301
KiSaINe 86-401
KiRa 86-1
KiShi 86-1
KiSaINe 86-501
KiSaINe 86-201
KiSaINe 86-1
KiITe 87-1
Weight (t)
55.2
43.8
40.3
41.6
58.3
58.1
48.7
40.5
43.8
55.3
Capacity
8
6
-
-
4
6
8
Facilities
Observation deck
Twin x 3
Single x 2, Twin x 1
Bar counter
Kitchen
Suite x 1
Twin x 3
Observation deck
Cars 1, 5, 6, and 10 are powered.[7] Cars 2, 3, 8, and 9, each have three double-occupancy "Twin" rooms, car 4 has two single-occupancy "Single" rooms and a universal design "Twin" room, and car 7 has one double-occupancy "Suite" room.[3] In addition to the en-suite toilets provided in all rooms, cars 2, 3, 5, 8, and 9 have toilets for use by all passengers.[7]
On-board catering will be overseen by food columnist Takeshi Kadokami (門上 武司), with some of the menus designed by chef Yoshihiro Murata (村田 吉弘), owner of the Kikunoi restaurant in Kyoto, and Hajime Yoneda (米田 肇), owner of the Hajime restaurant.[6]
The 87 series Twilight Express Mizukaze train on test in April 2017
The train will initially be used on excursions in the Keihanshin, Sanin, and Sanyo regions of western Japan.[6] The following five tour routes will be offered:[8]
Two-day tour from Shimonoseki to Kyoto and Osaka via the Sanin Main Line, stopping off at Izumoshi and Tottori en route.
Sanin & Sanyo Course
Three-day circular tour from Kyoto and Osaka back to Kyoto via the Sanyo Main Line and Sanin Main Line, stopping off at Okayama, Shinji/Matsue, and Higashihama en route.
The 87 series Twilight Express Mizukaze train on a test run in early 2017, running as a 5-car formation with black protective vinyl wrapping
JR West first announced its plans to build a new luxury cruising train in May 2014.[9] The name of the train, Twilight Express Mizukaze, and train logo were officially unveiled on 19 February 2015.[6]
The first five intermediate cars of the ten-car trainset were delivered from the Kawasaki Heavy Industries factory in Kobe in March 2016.[10] The two end cars, KiITe 87-1 and KiITe 87-2, were delivered from the Kinki Sharyo factory in Osaka in August 2016.[11] Mainline test running commenced in late September, initially with the train formed as four cars.[12]
^「トワイライトエクスプレス瑞風」2017年6月17日デビューへ 料金も発表 ["Twilight Express Mizukaze" to debut on 16 June 2017]. tetsudo-shimbun.com (in Japanese). Japan: Tetsudo Shimbun. 29 November 2016. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
^「トワイライト」消えずJR西の豪華寝台列車は「TWILIGHT EXPRESS 瑞風」に [JR West's luxury sleeper train to be "Twilight Express Mizukaze"]. Traffic News (in Japanese). Japan: Mediavague Co., Ltd. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
^ abcdJR西日本「TWILIGHT EXPRESS 瑞風」トワイライトエクスプレスの伝統を継承 [JR West "Twilight Express Mizukaze" continues the tradition of the Twilight Express]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
^ ab TWILIGHT EXPRESS 瑞風 [Twilight Express Mizukaze]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 57, no. 671. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. March 2017. pp. 56–61.
^JR西日本、新たな寝台列車を2017年春導入へ - ハイブリッド方式の10両編成 [JR West to introduce new sleeper train in spring 2017 - 10-car hybrid type]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
^「トワイライトエクスプレス瑞風」の中間車が川崎重工から出場 [Twilight Express Mizukaze intermediate cars delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
^「トワイライトエクスプレス瑞風」の先頭車両が甲種輸送される [Twilight Express Mizukaze end cars delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 16 August 2016. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
^"瑞風"公式試運転開始 [Mizukaze test running starts]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 30 September 2016. Archived from the original on 30 September 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
Multiple units of West Japan Railway Company
