Mini-Echo (Shiojiri <-> Tatsuno) ?

[scott]

Does anybody have any details about this service? It appears to be a single railcar running back and forth between Shiojiri and Tatsuno (Nagano) on the Tatsuno Branch of the Chuo East Line. I'm wondering which company it's run by, what type the railcar units are, what the driver's favorite breakfast food is, etc. Given the area I've been focusing on, this would be a fun railcar to have as a model.

 

I'm guessing this service is necessary for people who want to connect directly from Tatsuno to Shiojiri rather than staying on the JR Central Iida Line service to Okaya.

 

Kitayama rail map: http://www.bae.se/kitayama/K6Cmap.htm  [plus the next map to the south]

 

Picture:

 

[westfalen]

It would be JR. In the November timetable I count 9 Shiojiri-Tatsuno trips spread throughout the day.

[bikkuri bahn]

JR East.  It's the kumoha 123 type.  The type was converted from express railcars (kumoni 143) after the breakup of JNR and the end of haulage of mail and express.

[scott]

Thanks, guys--that's really interesting. I guess it might be possible to repaint a Kato 143 model and add a motor...and windows...and....hmm.

[ToniBabelony]

IIRC Greenmax does an unpainted kit for the クモハ123系 and MicroAce did a few livery variations of 'em some time ago (though not the Tatsuno livery).

[scott]

Thanks! The Greenmax kit might work. I have a Greenmax power unit somewhere--I'll have to see if it's the right one.