Silly Japanese Trains

[Dick H]

Some time ago, there was a discussion about a "Fish Lips" train. I call it Fish Face.

I just found a page from a Japanese Rail magazine with a closeup photo. The

"lips" open to reveal an LED display and what appear to be speakers.

 

http://www.pbase.com/dickh/image/100771102.jpg

 

Even more ridiculous are the cars of the Kintetsu Ikoma cable lines near

Osaka. For those interested in these things, it is unique in Japan because

it has two parallel lines to an intermediate station, then a separate line

continuing to an amusement park at the top of Mt. Ikoma.

 

The car in the first photo is MIKE (Mee-Keh, a cat). The car I'm in while taking

the photo is BULL, a dog. I'm not sure what the two on the parallel line are named.

The cars on the upper line are SWEET and DO RE ME. SWEET is in the

second photo. Isn't it sweet? :)

 

http://www.pbase.com/dickh/image/18141845.jpg

 

http://www.pbase.com/dickh/image/32494620.jpg

Edited August 1, 2017 by cteno4

[Martijn Meerts]

The fish train supposedly also "talks", the lips move during announcements etc.

 

I actually have the fish train in N-scale, 2 of them even. I'll post some pictures soon ;)

[alpineaustralia]

Fish lips (or Series Kiro 59 Fiesta)  - MicroAce is actually on sale on ebay at present for US$118.00

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360074165297&ih=023&category=486&ssPageName=ADME:B:SEMK:US:SHOWI&emailtemplateid=6527287&sellerid=eJGfcJBwsRLS6YQxP9dgFw==&buyerid=eJGfcJBwsRLN/AQX8OTvQg==&refid=store

 

Not sure whether the n scale model comes complete with moving lips though.

If it doesnt, Steveh might be able to rig something up (LOL).

[Martijn Meerts]

The lips on the MicroAce models are indeed movable ;)

 

The lower lip can move up to cover the screen. The set comes with various stickers to paste on the screen which is lighted btw. Here's a picture:

 

 

 

 

And with regards to other silly trains, here's a series of Kiha40-700's in a non-conventional paint scheme (MicroAce A5933, set of 3, all motorized):

 

 

 

[alpineaustralia]

Go to hand it to them. At least they have sense of humour (in addition to an excellent train network).

Here in NSW, Australia, we just get to cry over the state of the railways.

[Need for High Speed]

Can you please give more information on the fish train like what was its purpose and why did they make it

[Socimi]

Can you please give more information on the fish train like what was its purpose and why did they make it

 

 

Named "Resort Salon Fiesta" ( リゾートサルーン・フェスタ ), it's a "Joyful Train" (tourist/excursion train) made form former KiHa 58 DMUs, built by Shimonoseki maintainance works. In use by JR West since 1988, it was retired in 2001 and it was intended to be sold to Thailand, but they declined the offer and the three-car DMU was scpapped by 2004.

 

It's official designation was "KiRo 59" and it was composed by:

 

-KiRo 59 552 (former KiHa 58 2905) - motor/cab car with 44 seats

-KiRo 29 553 (former KiHa 2056) - motor saloon car

-KiRo 59 553 (former KiHa 58 135) - motor/cab car with 44 seats

 

It was assigned to the Hiroshima "Operation Office" (Depot).

 

Japanese wikipedia:

 

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%AA%E3%82%BE%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88%E3%82%B5%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%BB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF

Edited August 2, 2017 by Socimi

[railsquid]

 

And with regards to other silly trains, here's a series of Kiha40-700's in a non-conventional paint scheme (MicroAce A5933, set of 3, all motorized):

 

 

 

 

 

This is not a silly train. Thank you for your understanding.

[westfalen]

When I rode the Ikoma cable car line the dog and cat cars barked and meowed at each other as they passed.

[Densha]

Haha, that reminds me of the Okayama Dentetsu Tama Densha I got to ride by coincidence last January. If you pressed to button to get off at the next stop, you wouldn't hear a bell or something but a meow.

 

[densha17]

For someone who likes cats, Tama Densha would definitely make me giggle. I love the seats' pattern. 

[Kiha66]

Perhaps not (yet!) a full size model, but it appears someone has made a Kemono Friends Joyful train out of a Kiha 81 set.  Doesn't look to bad in my opinion, although those ears may cause some issues with low bridges!  

 

From the japanese model train group on facebook.

https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/20934258_1133137066820270_6761957978971632898_o.jpg?oh=fe3c6fe04fdedd332b582592c6376d71&oe=5A326C4E

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1133137066820270&set=pcb.2060019854284190&type=3

Edited August 19, 2017 by Kiha66

[Suica]

Haha, I would buy a Serval KiHa. 

Or the Japari Railbus. ;)

[ToniBabelony]

Perhaps not (yet!) a full size model, but it appears someone has made a Kemono Friends Joyful train out of a Kiha 81 set. Doesn't look to bad in my opinion, although those ears may cause some issues with low bridges!

Seems to be doing fine with catenary: https://twitter.com/twn_tuubo/status/899093887322431488