Hayato no Kaze

The Hayato no Kaze (はやとの風,Hayato's Wind) is a limited express service in Japan which runs between Kagoshima-Chūō Station and Yoshimatsu Station via the Kagoshima Main Line, Nippō Main Line, and Hisatsu Line. It is operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu).[1]

Hayato no Kaze

3-car Hayato no Kaze formation, June 2009
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Locale	Kagoshima Main Line, Nippō Main Line, Hisatsu Line
First service	13 March 2004
Current operator(s)	JR Kyushu
Route
Start	Kagoshima-Chūō
End	Yoshimatsu
Service frequency	2 return trips daily
Technical
Rolling stock	KiHa 47/147 DMUs
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	Diesel
Operating speed	59 mph (95 km/h)

Schedule

There are two return services per day. All trains stop at both Osumi-Yokogawa and Kareigawa Stations for about 5 minutes. Some trains stop at Ryugamizu Station for about 4 minutes for a view of Sakurajima. (Passengers cannot alight here.)

Rolling stock

The train is formed of two specially converted diesel multiple unit (DMU) cars, KiHa 147-1045 and KiHa 47-8092. Initially, the train consisted of KiHa 147-1045 as reserved seating car 1 and KiHa 140-2066 as non-reserved seating car 2. From January 2006, a third car, KiHa 47-8092, was converted for use as reserved seating car 1, with KiHa 147-1045 as non-reserved seating car 2. KiHa 140-2066 was used as a spare car to make 3-car formations at busy periods,[1] but was later rebuilt as a third car for use in the Ibusuki no Tamatebako DMU set, returning to service in March 2012.[2]

KiHa 147-1045 and KiHa 140-2066 were converted at JR Kyushu's Kokura Works. KiHa 47-8092 was converted at JR Kyushu's Kagoshima Depot. The set is based at Kagoshima Depot.[3]

• 
  KiHa 47-8092
• 
  KiHa 147-1045
• 
  KiHa 140-2066

Exterior

The train is painted all-over black, with deep panorama side windows in the centre of each car.

Interior

The trains feature totally new interiors finished in fire-resistant wood with reclining seats and improved air conditioning.[3]

• 
  General view of the interior
• 
  2+2 seating
• 
  Observation window seating

History

The Hayato no Kaze service was introduced on 13 March 2004, coinciding with the opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen.

See also

• Joyful Train

References

1. JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. 2008. p. 108. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
2. キハ140 2066が「指宿のたまて箱」仕様になって出場 [KiHa 140 2066 outshopped as Ibusuki no Tamatebako car]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
3. JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. p. 417. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.