Yume Kūkan

The Yume Kūkan (夢空間, lit. "Dream Space") was a set of three luxury railway coaches operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on overnight sleeping car services in Japan between 1989 and 2008.

Yume Kūkan
Yume Kūkan coaches at the rear of a sleeping car service in October 2007
In service1989–March 2008
ManufacturerFuji Heavy Industries, Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car
Constructed1989
Number built3 vehicles
Number in serviceNone
Number preserved3 vehicles
Operator(s)JR East
Depot(s)Oku
Specifications
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Operations

The three coaches were attached to the end of Hokutosei overnight sleeping car services between Ueno and Sapporo during holiday seasons, and branded as Yume Kūkan Hokutosei.[1]

Coach details

The Yume Kūkan set was formed of the following three coaches.[2]

  • OShi 25 901 dining car
  • OHaFu 25 901 lounge car
  • ORoNe 25 901 sleeping car

OShi 25 901 dining car
OShi 25 901 in May 2007

The OShi 25 901 dining car was built by Tokyu Car Corporation (present-day J-TREC), with the interior designed by Tokyu Department Store.[3]

This coach provided seating for 18 diners in the observation saloon area, and for four diners in the central compartment area.[4]

OHaFu 25 901 lounge car
OHaFu 25 901 in May 2007

The OHaFu 25 901 lounge car was built by Fuji Heavy Industries, with the interior designed by Matsuya.[3]

It features a bar counter, piano, and toilet facilities.[4]

  • The interior of OHaFu 25 901 in preservation in May 2010

ORoNe 25 901 sleeping car
ORoNe 25 901 in March 2007

ORoNe 25 901 was a deluxe sleeping car with three compartments accommodating a total of six passengers.[4] One compartment was a suite room consisting of a semi-double bed, a living room and bath/toilet facilities. The two other compartments were designated as "twin rooms" with two single beds and bath/toilet facilities.[4] The suite room also featured a TV with satellite channel and video facilities.[4]

The coach was built by Nippon Sharyo, with the interior designed by Takashimaya.[4]

History

The three Yume Kūkan coaches were built in 1989,[4] and were displayed at the "Yokohama Exotic Showcase '89" event before entering service.[5]

Withdrawal and preservation

Following a Sayonara Yume Kukan Hokutosei run between Ueno and Sapporo, the three coaches were taken out of service from March 2008, and stored at Oku Depot in Tokyo.[6]

The OHaFu 25 901 lounge car and OShi 25 901 dining car were sold to Mitsui & Co.,[5] and in May 2009, the two coaches were moved to the Lalaport Shin-Misato shopping mall in Misato, Saitama, next to Shin-Misato Station, where they were used as cafe and rest area facilities when the mall opened in September of that year.[3][7] The two coaches were not officially withdrawn from JR East books until 3 June 2009.[5]

The ORoNe 25 901 sleeping car was moved to Koto, Tokyo in December 2011, and opened in February 2012 providing additional seating accommodation for the French restaurant "A ta Gueule".[8][9][10]

  • OShi 25 901 outside the Lalaport Shin-Misato shopping mall in September 2009
  • OHaFu 25 901 outside the Lalaport Shin-Misato shopping mall in September 2009
  • ORoNe 25 901 in Koto, Tokyo in October 2012

See also

References
  1. 最新特急大カタログ [Modern Limited Express Catalogue]. Japan: JTB. November 1992. p. 103.
  2. こだわりの新幹線＆特急列車ガイド [In-depth Shinkansen & Limited Express Guide]. Japan: Ikaros Publishing. August 2000. p. 191. ISBN 4-87149-284-2.
  3. 夢空間 [Yume Kūkan]. Lalaport Shin-Misato (in Japanese). Japan: LaLaport Management Co., Ltd. 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  4. JR全車輛ハンドブック1995 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 1995]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 1995. pp. 431–439.
  5. 車両のうごき2009-2010 [Rolling Stock Movements 2009-2010]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 50 no. 591. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2010. p. 79.
  6. “さよなら夢空間北斗星号”，北海道へ [Sayonara Yume Kukan Hokutosei runs to Hokkaido]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  7. 5/29, 「夢空間」２両が越谷貨物ターミナルへ [29 May: 2 Yume Kukan coaches moved to Koshigaya Freight Terminal]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 49 no. 580. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. August 2009. p. 172.
  8. もと「夢空間」オロネ25 901が江東区へ [Former Yume Kukan ORoNe 25 901 moved to Koto-ku]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 24 December 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  9. "A ta Gueule - Orient Express". Tokyo, Japan. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  10. レイルファンにお薦めの鉄道グルメスポット [Recommended gourmet spots for railfans]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 42 no. 355. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. November 2013. p. 33.
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