This is a continuation of my recent trip to Miyazaki Prefecture. On my way back to Miyazaki Airport, I came across an old, red-colored train stopping at Miyazaki station (see the top photo). What was that? The answer is the EMU JR Kyushu 713 series.
The 713 series was developed by the Japanese National Railways (hereafter JNR) in 1983. It’s a standard commuter train for the 1,067 millimeter-gauge track with a 20,000 V-60 Hz AC (alternate current) electric system. One set is composed of one motorcar and one trailer (1M1T). What was new with this train? The 713 series is the first train equipped with a regenerative braking system for AC tracks. It was a great achievement by JNR, but the good news didn't last forever. JNR faced a financial crisis and cancelled the mass production of this advanced train. A total of only 4 sets were built by Tokyu Sharyo and Hitachi after all. After the privatization and separation of JNR, all sets of the 713 series were transferred to JR Kyushu. Currently, they are operated on the Nippo Main, Nichinan and Miyazaki Airport lines.
I liked this ex-JNR trains. You can see the character of the so-called "JNR-type" EMUs in the front design. It has two large, rounded lights, panoramic windows and a gangway connection. The hem of the body is squeezed. On the other hand, the 713 series obtained JR Kyushu’s own color design after the modification in 1996. It was reborn into the vivid, red-colored train. Its nickname is “Sunshine Miyazaki”.
