Nishi-Nippon Railway (Nishitetsu) is one of the major private railway companies based in Fukuoka City on Kyushu Island. The route consists of the Oomuta Line (1,435 mm-gauge) and the Miyatsu Line (1,067mm-gauge), connecting the northern to the southern part of Fukuoka Prefecture. The total length is 106.1 km.
The EMU 3000 series is Nishitetsu's latest EMU model for express trains on the Oomuta Line. It was launched in 2005 to replace their old models such as the 600 and the 700 series. So far, a total of 60 units have been built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The 3000 series has stainless-steel bodies. Its electric control system is VVVF (variable voltage and variable frequency) with induction motors. The rounded front mask is my favorite.
Getting on Nishitetsu's latest EMU model, I visited the latest national museum, namely Kyushu National Museum, in Dazaifu City, about 18 km south of Fukuoka City. Kyushu National Museum was opened in 2005, which was the same as the debuting year of the EMU 3000 series. There are four national museums in Japan, but the remaining three museums were opened more than 100 years ago, so, Kyushu National Museum is still just a baby. The history and art exhibitions of the museum were of course interesting, but the museum building was also fantastic, as the beautiful green forest in front of the museum was reflected on the glazed outer wall of the museum building.
I enjoyed the latest EMU and the latest museum on Kyushu Island.
