Limited Express 'Inaho' 50th anniversary
The Inaho Limited Express that operates on the Uetsu Main Line between Niigata-Sakata-Akita celebrated its 50th anniversary of operation in October 2019. To mark the occasion, a “train Festa” was held in Sakata where the old and modern rolling stock that is in use in the area could be seen. Stephen Turner has provided a selection of shots from the event , taken 19th October 2019.
The new GV-E400 series Diesel Electric Multiple Unit - these are the first DEMUs to be introduced by JR East and will eventually the KiHa40/47/48s still in general use in the Niigata and Akita areas.
Inaho Limited Expresses from left to right E653s U107 in Deep Pink livery (signifying Japan Rose), U-106 in Marine Blue livery (signifying the Japan Sea), and in the standard Inaho livery U101. The E653s started life on the Joban Line operating “Fresh Hitachi” Limited Expresses. Finally, from Akita, a E751 (A101) Tsugaru Limited Express unit that operates between Akita and Aomori
Starting October 2019 the Kirakira Uetsu sightseeing train has been replaced by a new sightseeing train called "Kairi” operated by a specially built HB-E300 Hybrid Diesel operating. This train operates on Uetsu Main Line between Niigata and Sakata along the Japan Sea Coast. The train also features food and sake from the Niigata and Shonai areas
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