Special Trains

[MangakaRailfan]

Wasn’t sure where to post this, so I just put it here. 
I wish to create a fictional Japanese-style named passenger train to put on my layout. (Canadian setting, but the actual motive power will be a mix of Japanese and North American) How are most of these special train logos designed? Is there a specific way they are named? What kind of locomotives do they use? 

Any other information will be appreciated. 
Thanks in advance.

[bill937ca]

Almost all Japanese trains are EMU train sets. Locomotives are a thing of the past and as such there are no longer individual passenger cars. The EMU sets may be of two lengths, perhaps 4 cars and 6 cars. That way shorter or longer sets can be created. In commuter service 11 cars and 4 cars is common. Even luxury trains are former EMUs in many cases.

 

The logos are called head marks.  Some head mark history. Japanese language page.  Google translate and Google Chrome are your friends.

 

https://www.toretabi.jp/railway_info/entry-5773.html

 

Trains from all over Japan. Video by RAILWAYMOVIES.

 

 

[Trains featured]

1. JR West Limited Express Thunderbird (681 series/683 series)

2. JR East Limited Express Saphir Odoriko (E261 series)

3. JR Hokkaido Limited Express Lilac (789 series)

4. Kintetsu Limited Express Hinotori (80000 series)

5. Sotetsu JR Direct 12000 series

6. JR East Limited Express Azusa (E353 series)

7. JR West Limited Express Kounotori (289 series)

8. Odakyu Electric Railway Limited Express Hakone (Romancecar GSE 70000 series)

9. Meitetsu 1200 Panorama Super

10. Nankai Electric Railway Limited Express Rapi:t (50000 series)

11. Tobu Railway Limited Express Ryomo (200 series)

12. JR East Limited Express Odoriko (E257 series 2000 series)

13. JR East Limited Express Inaho (E653-1000)

14. Nagoya Railroad μSky (2000 series)

15. JR Kyushu Limited Express Sonic (883 series)

16. Keisei Electric Railway Skyliner (AE series)

17. Nishitetsu 3000 series

18. Tobu Spacia (100 series)

19. Chiba New Town Railroad 9100 series

20. Tourist Limited Express Shimakaze Kintetsu 50000 series

21. JR Shikoku Limited Express Shiokaze (8000 series)

22. JR Hokkaido Limited Express Kamui (789 series 1000 series)

23. JR West New Rapid Service (225 series 0 series)

24. Izukyu THE ROYAL EXPRESS (2100 series)

25. Odakyu Romance Car VSE (50000 series)

Edited June 5 by bill937ca

[Beaver]

1 hour ago, bill937ca said:

Locomotives are a thing of the past

 

Errrr,................no...................

 

There are still huge numbers used to haul freight and maintenance trains.

 

I think you refer specifically to loco hauled passenger services.

 

Era is also a factor. There is a lot of potential for fictional JNR Blue Train  or Red Train style workings and suchlike. These can plausibly have steam, diesel or electric loco haulage.

[MangakaRailfan]

2 hours ago, bill937ca said:

Almost all Japanese trains are EMU train sets. Locomotives are a thing of the past and as such there are no longer individual passenger cars. The EMU sets may be of two lengths, perhaps 4 cars and 6 cars. That way shorter or longer sets can be created. In commuter service 11 cars and 4 cars is common. Even luxury trains are former EMUs in many cases.

 

The logos are called head marks.  Some head mark history. Japanese language page.  Google translate and Google Chrome are your friends.

 

https://www.toretabi.jp/railway_info/entry-5773.html

 

Trains from all over Japan.

 

 

[Trains featured]

1. JR West Limited Express Thunderbird (681 series/683 series)

2. JR East Limited Express Saphir Odoriko (E261 series)

3. JR Hokkaido Limited Express Lilac (789 series)

4. Kintetsu Limited Express Hinotori (80000 series)

5. Sotetsu JR Direct 12000 series

6. JR East Limited Express Azusa (E353 series)

7. JR West Limited Express Kounotori (289 series)

8. Odakyu Electric Railway Limited Express Hakone (Romancecar GSE 70000 series)

9. Meitetsu 1200 Panorama Super

10. Nankai Electric Railway Limited Express Rapi:t (50000 series)

11. Tobu Railway Limited Express Ryomo (200 series)

12. JR East Limited Express Odoriko (E257 series 2000 series)

13. JR East Limited Express Inaho (E653-1000)

14. Nagoya Railroad μSky (2000 series)

15. JR Kyushu Limited Express Sonic (883 series)

16. Keisei Electric Railway Skyliner (AE series)

17. Nishitetsu 3000 series

18. Tobu Spacia (100 series)

19. Chiba New Town Railroad 9100 series

20. Tourist Limited Express Shimakaze Kintetsu 50000 series

21. JR Shikoku Limited Express Shiokaze (8000 series)

22. JR Hokkaido Limited Express Kamui (789 series 1000 series)

23. JR West New Rapid Service (225 series 0 series)

24. Izukyu THE ROYAL EXPRESS (2100 series)

25. Odakyu Romance Car VSE (50000 series)

Thank you for the very helpful article on head marks, bill!'m thinking of creating my own for my trains “The Kootenay” and “The Kettle Valley Express” (SL Kutane, Kumaze Kyūko)

They'll be powered by either a dmu or electric locomotive, and obviously steam traction for the SL if I can't find a better name to give it.

 

Edited June 5 by MangakaRailfan

[bill937ca]

Yes, passenger trains.