Cassiopeia train infos

[Matteo_IT]

Hello everybody,

I'm searching for infos about the Cassiopeia train service.

I searched in the web an I found a site about interensing infos but I lost it... :(

The site explained about the direction of the lounge coaches, the type of locomotives used in the various legs of trip and also explained the two cities where train changes direction...

Can someone help me?

Many thanks!

Matteo.

[E6系]

Hello Mr Matteo_IT

 

Please allow me to provide you some informations.  It is in Japanese so please use your browser translator:

 

1. http://www.jreast.co.jp/cassiopeia/

 

2. http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AB%E3%82%B7%E3%82%AA%E3%83%9A%E3%82%A2_(%E5%88%97%E8%BB%8A)

[Matteo_IT]

Many thanks, but my translator doesn't work :wacko:

[bronzeonion]

http://jprail.com/trains/overnight-express-train-cassiopeia.html Here's one you'll be able to read :)

[gmat]

Just saw and photographed it yesterday passing through Omiya Station heading to Sapporo. Are there any outside detail shots that you need? I can go to Ueno Station to shoot photos and post it. 

Blue EF510-513 was pulling it. Last month on the 25th blue EF510-514 pulled it and on the 18th silver EF510-509 pulled it. After my Tuesday afternoon lesson, I'll go to Omiya to shoot diesels for a couple of hours. 

Best wishes,

Grant

[Matteo_IT]

Hello gmat,

so, I suppose you live in Japan... great!

Yes please, can you take some pics of the two headcoaches (couplers, pipes...) and also the same for the locomotives?

As I've just received the last Tomix HO set to complete my Cassiopeia, I would to complete much better as possible.

Next week I'll order the engines, because this train is very expensive... I'have also the N model all by Kato, includes 4 engines: EF 510, EF 81 and 2x DD 51!

Many thanks, Matteo.

[gmat]

Here are some photos. I shot them as the Cassiopeia was pulling out of Omiya. I was shooting the car set numbers. Hope that these are useful for you. Let me know which ones are useful. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x41/gmat6441/DSC_0247.jpg

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x41/gmat6441/DSC_0248.jpg

 

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x41/gmat6441/DSC_0249.jpg

 

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x41/gmat6441/DSC_0250.jpg

 

Best wishes,

Grant

[gmat]

The remaining photos.

Sorry, but the photos all look alike, but they are all different cars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best wishes.

Grant

[bikkuri bahn]

Matteo,

If you want me to, I can take some pics (I'll use my smartphone camera) of the trainset at its northern terminus of Sapporo Sta.  Just let me know the specific points you want to see more of, after looking at gmat's pictures.

[Matteo_IT]

Hello, many thanks to gmat for pics.

To bikkuri bahn, please can you take some pics to the tail of train? and also to the engines?

 

I have another question: Tomix produce a new coach (squared shape) to replace the lounge coach, what type of coach is? for what reason the double decker coach is changed?

I think to understand the lounge coach is a generator van, so I suppose the train works like european talgo, with a diesel electric generator to provide electric supply without the locomotive....?

Many thanks everybody. 

[Sacto1985]

I've heard that JR East could phase out Hokutosei,  Cassiopeia and Akebono overnight trains once the Hokkaido Shinkansen line opens to Shin-Hakodate Station in 2016. At the rate things are going, the only overnight trains left on Japanese rails could be the Sunrise Seto/Sunrise Izumo and a few "luxury tour" trains.

Edited July 13, 2013 by Sacto1985

[miyakoji]

I'll be surprised if the Cassiopeia is retired while the rolling stock is still good, it's already a kind of luxury service.  Not like the new services being planned, but still, it's more than just transportation to the destination.  Same for the Twilight Express, although that equipment is getting older.  Then again, JR West likes to squeeze as much life out of things as they can .

[Sinus]

Hi,

 

http://jprail.com/tr...cassiopeia.html is very good source of information about Cassiopeia but also Hokutosei and Twilight Express. Unfortunately, it seems to be difficult for foreigners to book a ticket especially for those unique deluxe compartments. Is it really true that booking opens 30 days before the departure and can be done only in Japan? That is really a limitation. There is a small chance that I will go to Hokkaido in October time and thought that maybe I could book it in advance - so far it seems to be not feasible. Any additional information or tips appreciated.

[kvp]

 

Any additional information or tips appreciated.

You can book through a travel agency. They contact a japanese travel agency and book a room. This would cost a litte bit (lots) more, but seems to be a good way for someone who don't speak japanese (like myself). The sunrise seto and izumo trains are also very popular and afaik it's easier to get a tatami on them.