JR Kyushu Limited Express Trains from Kitakyushu area to Hakata (Fukuoka)

[Sacto1985]

YouTube member spacenokiman filmed a couple of interesting cab view videos of JR Kyushu limited express trains headed towards Hakata from the Kitakyushu area:

 

1. Sonic limited express train going west from Kokura (Kitakyushu) to Hakata (Fukuoka) Station with an 883 Series EMU

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPjs7JVhTtQ

 

2. Kirameki limited express train going west from Mojikō (Kitakyushu) to Hakata Station with a 783 Series EMU

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I96lRoQttV8

 

EDIT: spacenokiman also did a very good cab view video of the Sonic limited express from Oita to Kokura Stations with an 885 Series EMU:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHKFuSTpK70

Edited February 9, 2014 by Sacto1985

[Sacto1985]

By the way, I really have to ask this question: why is JR Kyushu still running these two express trains, especially between Kokura and Hakata Stations? Both trains take about 49 to 57 minutes to travel from Kokura to Hakata, and the cost for a one-way trip--¥2,250--is pretty steep considering the time of travel involved (I believe a one-way ticket on the Kodama Shinkansen train between these two stations is just over ¥3,100--and Kodama goes between Kokura and Hakata in only 17 minutes).

[Ochanomizu]

Hello Mr Sacto,

 

Many commuters use these services on a daily basis.  An extra ¥850 per trip soon adds up.  I agree they are expensive, but many Japanese enjoy the service and the opportunity of some private time on the train.  One cannot listen to much music, or read the news in 17 minutes.

 

I am reminded that the 787系 from Kokura to Fukuoka is a 12-car train on weekdays.

[Sacto1985]

 

Many commuters use these services on a daily basis.  An extra ¥850 per trip soon adds up.  I agree they are expensive, but many Japanese enjoy the service and the opportunity of some private time on the train.  One cannot listen to much music, or read the news in 17 minutes.

 

I am reminded that the 787系 from Kokura to Fukuoka is a 12-car train on weekdays.

 

Maybe JR Kyushu offers special commuter passes to ride Sonic and Kirameki limited express trains on weekdays between Hakata and Kokura stations?

[railsquid]

I guess there's also an element of competition between JR Kyushu and JR West and (if I recall correctly) the JR Kyushu trains are running beyond Hakata/Kokura.

[Sacto1985]

spaceinokiman recently posted an interesting zenmen tenbou video of a trip on a 783 Series EMU on the Huis Ten Bosch limited express from the Huis Ten Bosch Station all the way back to Hakata Station:

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoqWj0ZXwBs