24 Series cars on test run for Twilight Express San'in Course service

[miyakoji]

In preparation for the special Twilight Express San'in Course service to be operated from July 25th, a 4-car formation of 24 series passenger cars was tested in western Honshu.  The route passed through Okayama, north to Yonago via the Hakubi Line, west to the end of the San'in Main Line at Shimonoseki, then back to Miyahara Depot in Osaka via the San'yo Main Line.  Motive power was EF65 1133 and DD51 1191.

 

Hobidas News: http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2015/07/jrdd51244.html

JR West: http://www.jr-odekake.net/navi/kankou/twilight_plan/#train03

 

Sankei news on future Twilight Express Mizukaze w/ route map: http://www.sankei.com/west/news/150618/wst1506180091-n1.html

 

On the Kobe Line (Tokaido/San'yo Lines between Osaka and Himeji) by k arata

[Sacto1985]

They actually ran the ex-Twilight Express trainset through the San'in Main Line west of Masuda Station? There are very few trains on that part of the San'in Main Line even now....

[katoftw]

Good to see the sold train set getting some more use.

[ayokoi]

The special Twilight Express San'in Course service changes the locomotives at Seto Station,Sanyo Line.

(EF65→DD51 Double-heading)

 

I posted a video of changing scene.

 

Edited September 1, 2015 by ayokoi

[Sacto1985]

ayokoi, why the change to two DD51's? That is unless the loading gauge of the EF65 locomotive is too big for parts of the Hakubi Line.

[bikkuri bahn]

It's a matter of motive power district allocations. The two JR West dd51 are assigned to the Gotou General Rolling Stock Depot in Yonago. As one of the dd51 will go on to pull the rake on the unelectrified Sanin portion, it makes sense to use this pattern. Probably also a crewing issue to minimize deadheading and/or long turns.

[ayokoi]

ayokoi, why the change to two DD51's? That is unless the loading gauge of the EF65 locomotive is too big for parts of the Hakubi Line.

EF65 is not suitable for a steeply-graded line (not equipped with a dynamic braking).

Hakubi Line is a steeply-graded line (Freight train uses EF64).

[katoftw]

Question:-  What is the Twilight Express doing on the Nippo Main Line in Kyushu?

 

[ayokoi]

Question:-  What is the Twilight Express doing on the Nippo Main Line in Kyushu?

 

This train is a special tour for Oita (Yufuin) which was daparted from Osaka on 5 Jul 2015.

Next tour will depart on 12 Sep 2015.

http://ebook.jtb.co.jp/book/?1657926#3