Yume Kūkan

Yume Kūkan
Yume Kūkan coaches at the rear of a sleeping car service in October 2007
In service1989 – March 2008
ManufacturerFuji Heavy Industries, Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car
Constructed1989
Number built3 vehicles
Number in serviceNone
Number preserved3 vehicles
OperatorsJR East
DepotsOku
Specifications
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The Yume Kūkan (夢空間, lit. 'Dream Space') was a set of three luxury railway coaches operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on overnight sleeping car services in Japan between 1989 and 2008.

Operations

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The three coaches were attached to the end of Hokutosei overnight sleeping car services between Ueno and Sapporo during holiday seasons, and branded as Yume Kūkan Hokutosei.[1]

Coach details

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The Yume Kūkan set was formed of the following three coaches.[2]

  • OShi 25 901 dining car
  • OHaFu 25 901 lounge car
  • ORoNe 25 901 sleeping car

OShi 25 901 dining car

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OShi 25 901 in May 2007

The OShi 25 901 dining car was built by Tokyu Car Corporation (present-day J-TREC), with the interior designed by Tokyu Department Store.[3]

This coach provided seating for 18 diners in the observation saloon area, and for four diners in the central compartment area.[4]

OHaFu 25 901 lounge car

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OHaFu 25 901 in May 2007

The OHaFu 25 901 lounge car was built by Fuji Heavy Industries, with the interior designed by Matsuya.[3]

It features a bar counter, piano, and toilet facilities.[4]

  • The interior of OHaFu 25 901 in preservation in May 2010
    The interior of OHaFu 25 901 in preservation in May 2010

ORoNe 25 901 sleeping car

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ORoNe 25 901 in March 2007

ORoNe 25 901 was a deluxe sleeping car with three compartments accommodating a total of six passengers.[4] One compartment was a suite room consisting of a semi-double bed, a living room and bath/toilet facilities. The two other compartments were designated as "twin rooms" with two single beds and bath/toilet facilities.[4] The suite room also featured a TV with satellite channel and video facilities.[4]

The coach was built by Nippon Sharyo, with the interior designed by Takashimaya.[4]

History

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The three Yume Kūkan coaches were built in 1989,[4] and were displayed at the "Yokohama Exotic Showcase '89" event before entering service.[5]

Withdrawal and preservation

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Following a Sayonara Yume Kukan Hokutosei run between Ueno and Sapporo, the three coaches were taken out of service from March 2008, and stored at Oku Depot in Tokyo.[6]

The OHaFu 25 901 lounge car and OShi 25 901 dining car were sold to Mitsui & Co.,[5] and in May 2009, the two coaches were moved to the Lalaport Shin-Misato shopping mall in Misato, Saitama, next to Shin-Misato Station, where they were used as cafe and rest area facilities when the mall opened in September of that year.[3][7] The two coaches were not officially withdrawn from JR East books until 3 June 2009.[5]

The ORoNe 25 901 sleeping car was moved to Koto, Tokyo in December 2011, and opened in February 2012 providing additional seating accommodation for the French restaurant "A ta Gueule".[8][9][10]

  • OShi 25 901 outside the Lalaport Shin-Misato shopping mall in September 2009
    OShi 25 901 outside the Lalaport Shin-Misato shopping mall in September 2009
  • OHaFu 25 901 outside the Lalaport Shin-Misato shopping mall in September 2009
    OHaFu 25 901 outside the Lalaport Shin-Misato shopping mall in September 2009
  • ORoNe 25 901 in Koto, Tokyo in October 2012
    ORoNe 25 901 in Koto, Tokyo in October 2012

See also

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References

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  1. ^ 最新特急大カタログ [Modern Limited Express Catalogue]. Japan: JTB. November 1992. p. 103.
  2. ^ こだわりの新幹線＆特急列車ガイド [In-depth Shinkansen & Limited Express Guide]. Japan: Ikaros Publishing. August 2000. p. 191. ISBN 4-87149-284-2.
  3. ^ a b c 夢空間 [Yume Kūkan]. Lalaport Shin-Misato (in Japanese). Japan: LaLaport Management Co., Ltd. 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g JR全車輛ハンドブック1995 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 1995]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 1995. pp. 431–439.
  5. ^ a b c 車両のうごき2009-2010 [Rolling Stock Movements 2009-2010]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 50, no. 591. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2010. p. 79.
  6. ^ "さよなら夢空間北斗星号"，北海道へ [Sayonara Yume Kukan Hokutosei runs to Hokkaido]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  7. ^ 5/29, 「夢空間」２両が越谷貨物ターミナルへ [29 May: 2 Yume Kukan coaches moved to Koshigaya Freight Terminal]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 49, no. 580. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. August 2009. p. 172.
  8. ^ もと「夢空間」オロネ25 901が江東区へ [Former Yume Kukan ORoNe 25 901 moved to Koto-ku]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 24 December 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  9. ^ "A ta Gueule – Orient Express". Tokyo, Japan. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  10. ^ レイルファンにお薦めの鉄道グルメスポット [Recommended gourmet spots for railfans]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 42, no. 355. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. November 2013. p. 33.
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