Do you remember when I introduced JR West’s sleeper train, “Sunrise Express” last year? That’s the only “regular” sleeper train left in Japan. But are there any others? Yes—there are the so-called “cruise trains.” Today, I’m going to show you one of these luxury sleeper trains.
The Shiki-shima (“Four Seasons Island”) is JR East’s cruise train, officially named the E001 series. Only one set was built, jointly by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and J-TREC, and it debuted in 2017. The E001 series consists of 10 cars. It uses an EDC (electric/diesel hybrid) propulsion system: on electrified tracks, it runs as an EMU (electric multiple unit), while on non-electrified tracks, two diesel generators—located in the first and last cars—power the traction motors.
JR East does not publish the detailed timetable for Shiki-shima, because it operates as a special group tour train. As a rail fan, it’s not easy to photograph. Recently, I found some hints about the train’s schedule online and visited Odawara Station on the Tokaido Main Line—but I couldn’t find it! Why? According to a station attendant, Shiki-shima is temporarily housed in the Kozu Station yard, about 6 kilometers east of Odawara. Oh my goodness!
I rushed to Kozu Station and just barely managed to photograph Shiki-shima on the detention track. Look at the photos—Shiki-shima was shining brilliantly. Mission accomplished!... but I was completely exhausted. To be continued…
