Sonic (train)

Sonic (ソニック, sonikku) is the name used by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) for the limited express train service operating between Hakata and Ōita via Kokura and Beppu along the Kagoshima Main Line and Nippō Main Line in Kyushu, Japan. It runs every 30 minutes at a speed of 130 km/h (80 mph) - with a journey time of approximately 2 hours.

Rolling stock

Services are operated by a fleet of eight 7-car 883 series electric multiple unit (EMU) trains and four 6-car 885 series White Sonic EMUs.

• 883 series EMUs (8 x 7-car) - Since 1997
• 885 series EMUs (4 x 6-car) - Since 2001

An 883 series EMU on a Sonic service in July 2008

History

• 20 April 1995: New 883 series Sonic EMUs are introduced on Nichirin limited express services between Hakata and Ōita, and named Sonic Nichirin.
• 22 March 1997: Nichirin and Sonic Nichirin services are combined to become Sonic services operated entirely by 883 series EMUs.
• 3 March 2001: New 5-car 885 series White Sonic are introduced on Sonic services.
• 15 March 2003: 885 series White Sonic sets lengthened from 5 to 6 cars, allowing interchangeability with 885 series White Kamome sets.
• 18 March 2007: All cars are made no-smoking.
• 19 July 2008: The three 5-car 883 series sets are augmented to 7 cars.^[1]

See also

• List of named passenger trains of Japan

References

External links

• JR Kyushu website

Named trains of Kyushu Railway Company
Shinkansen	Tsubame Sakura Mizuho
Limited express	Ariake Aso Boy A-Train Hayato no Kaze Huis Ten Bosch Hyūga Ibusuki no Tamatebako Kaiō Kamome Kirameki Kirishima Kumagawa Midori Nichirin Nichirin Seagaia Sendai Express Sonic Trans-Kyushu Limited Express Yufu Yufu DX Yufuin no Mori
Other	Aru Ressha Seven Stars in Kyushu
Discontinued	Fuji Hayabusa Naha Dream Nichirin Relay Tsubame (partial list)