By TSUKASA FUKE/ Staff Writer
July 28, 2023 at 07:00 JST
A sample image of the refurbished 8000-series limited express train (Provided by Shikoku Railway Co.)
TAKAMATSU--Shikoku Railway Co. (JR Shikoku) has begun sprucing up its 8000 series limited express trains to give passengers a more comfortable ride.
The trains, in operation for the past 30 years, are currently used for the Shiokaze service connecting Okayama and Matsuyama stations and for the Ishizuchi service running between Takamatsu and Matsuyama.
It will be the second time for the 8000-series trains to undergo a facelift. This time, the interior of non-reserved cars will also be remodeled.
JR Shikoku’s first limited express train, the 8000-series, started operation in 1992.
The streamlined design will feature an orange line on the upper part of the exterior, with a thin green line running across the lower part.
Officials took inspiration from the warm climate of the Setouchi region and citrus fruits, a local specialty of Ehime Prefecture, for the decision to add orange, while the green stripe is in tribute to olives, a specialty of Kagawa Prefecture.
As for the interior, lights will be replaced with LEDs, while an electric outlet will be installed on all premium Green Car seats and reserved seats and walls of non-reserved cars.
The fifth car comes with a free space to accommodate wheelchair users.
Green Cars will be equipped with electrical reclining seats. The remaining Japanese-style toilets will be replaced with Western-style ones.
A three-car train will start operation for the Ishizuchi service in December, and a five-car train will run as the Shiokaze service from August 2024.
Renovation work on all 45 cars will be completed in the business year ending in March 2028, the company said.
“We want to introduce facilities that match the times to improve usability, including electric outlets and Western-style toilets,” a company representative said.
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