Update on JR West "Twilight Express Mizukaze"

[katoftw]

Nice.  It will be awesome the day the peel off that black vinyl wrap exposing the jade green underneath.

[bikkuri bahn]

Well-heeled hopefuls have just a 1-in-25 shot of securing a seat on West Japan Railway Co.’s new luxury sleeper, the Twilight Express Mizukaze, on its inaugural journey.

 

JR West revealed on Feb. 13 details of applications for tickets for the train, which will embark on its first season from June 17 through September, traveling between Kyoto, Osaka and Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

 

The company received 2,022 applications for a total of 368 guest room places. On average, one in 5.5 applicants is expected to get tickets during the high-end nostalgic train’s first three months in operation.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201702140065.html

[stevenh]

Surprised there hasn't been more news here on this.

The trainset was unveiled a few days ago:

 

https://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2017/02/460189.html

http://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/2073769/japans-new-luxury-express-train-may-be-best-way-see

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/02/23/business/jr-west-unveils-10-coach-luxury-express-train/#.WLTDNfmGO70

 

It looks absolutely stunning.

The colour is perfect too!

[Sacto1985]

Here's the newest video from YouTube member ayokoi showing the full 10-car Twilight Express Mizukaze trainset doing test runs on the San'yo Main Line just west of KHI's assembly plant in Hyogo:

 

[Sacto1985]

YouTube member nimo5 just posted a video of the Twlight Express Mizukaze trainset test running on the Sanin Main Line, including a close inspection of the exterior of the train while stopped at JR West Tottori Station:

 

Edited March 20, 2017 by Sacto1985

[Sacto1985]

And now, from YouTube member (and JNS forum member!) ayokoi, a video of the first day of operation of the Twilight Express Mizukaze:

 

[Sacto1985]

And YouTube member nimo5 just posted a video of the trainset operating on the San'in Main Line in Shimane Prefecture:

 

[stevenh]

From 04:27, he is parallel driving with it. Really quite cool to watch!