Reunion with Super-Hakuto

DMU Chizu Express Railway 7000 series arrives at Kyoto station

I came across a limited express train, Super-Hakuto, at Kyoto station in November. Super-Hakuto is Chizu Express Railway's flagship model named DMU HOT 7000 series. Connecting Tottori, Kurayoshi and Kyoto, it's directly operated onto the JR West lines. The track of Chizu Express Railway is single and non-electrified. The most distinctive feature of this railway is the trans-mountain route penetrating the Chugoku Mountains. In other words, it's a bridge-tunnel railway, which connects cities located on the Sea of Japan and Seto Inland Sea.

In response to this situation, the HOT 7000 series has an excellent curve passage performance. By tilting the train's body using pendular technology, it can keep a high speed on tight curves. The maximum speed of the HOT 7000 series is 130 kilometers per hour. The HOT 7000 series was commissioned in 1994. 34 cars were built by Fuji Heavy Industries. It has blue colored stainless-steel bodies. Each car has two sets of Komatsu's 355 PS per 2,000 rpm diesel engines. The streamlined frontal design is definitely my favorite. A TV camera is equipped in the cockpit and there is a monitor in each cabin to see the frontal view. It's a good passenger service for rail fans like me.

On February 21st, 2019, Chizu Express Railway announced their mid-term business plan, in which the company plans to introduce a new model for Super-Hakuto. According to media, the new model will be launched in 2024. The final chapter of the DMU HOT 7000 series has just begun.

Side view of the HOT 7000 series