Luxury Train Cruises Japan

[kws4000]

http://www.gizmag.com/japans-seven-stars-cruise-train/29408/

Offering 2 day and 4 day trips, this train only hits 62 mph.
But that is more than made up for with its real wood interior, baby grand piano, and a slick black paint job with brass handles and faux grill (!) on the loco.

 

[BLACKWATCH]

Ok for the 'Elite' of Japanese society, doubt if many of your 'working class' or even the 'middle class' Japanese could afford it.
Bit like the 'Orient Express' over here, apart from the fact that your average Japanese worker only earns around half (if that) of
what your european equivelent earns.

 

[bendorsey]

As long as there are folks with sufficient assets to afford such a ride there will be folks more then willing to provide such a ride.

It isn't limited to Japan. When I rode the Durango & Silverton (in 2000) I think I paid around $60 or so to ride in either a coach or one of the excursion cars but (back then) you could rent a caboose for $1250 or that private car for $5000. I happened to ask the gent conducting the shop tour which went out the most and surprisingly it was the private car. Groups such as rail fans, Railroad Clubs, etc. would charter it for the day. It did include cocktails and a fancy meal, lol.

Yes its sad that the average Joe (or Japanese equivalent) will never be able to take such an expensive ride but for those who can it has to be a trip of a lifetime.

Ben

 

[Paulsw2]

While I tend instinctively to side with Blackwatch's view about this, nevertheless I was intrigued to see how a contemporary luxury train would be kitted out. Luxury trains are a key part of railway history, often establishing standards which then influenced standard coaching and passenger stock. Our luxury trains in UK/Europe tend to look back at the Pullman/Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits era. So very interesting to see what the Japanese have come up with. I think the use of wood is extraordinary to the point of being rather overwhelming. Image 16 of the wooden vaulted ceiling is amazing - I've never seen that in a railway carriage before!

Paul

 

[TweetsieDude]

Steam is real luxury lol!

That's neat though, but I don't know why it's called a cruise and not an excursion

Rock On!
~Dusten