The West Express Ginga, stylized as WEST EXPRESS Ginga (Japanese: ウエストエクスプレス 銀河, romanized: Uesuto Ekusupuresu Ginga), is a limited express train service in Japan operated by the West Japan Railway Company (JR West) since September 2020. It is the second service using the Ginga name, after the now-discontinued Ginga.
Overview
JR West first discussed visions for a new long-distance train in 2016, after launching the Twilight Express Mizukaze.[1] In 2019 plans for the West Express Ginga, including its name, design, and rolling stock, were officially revealed.[2]
Ginga means galaxy in Japanese. The service is designed to run as a sightseeing train in western Japan (hence West Express).[3] The service includes passengers being treated to local cuisine and sightseeing guides both on the train and at different stations.[4]
Originally meant to start operations in May 2020, the launch of the service was delayed to September 11, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.[5][6]
Operation status
The West Express Ginga is a limited express train service that requires reservations ahead of time. Unlike the original Ginga, it is not strictly a sleeper train, and has both nighttime and daytime routes. It currently runs three different service routes, each at different times of the year:
The West Express Ginga will run its San'yo route between 4 October 2024 to 12 March 2025. Originally run between Osaka and Shimonoseki in its first year, the route will be extended to run from Kyoto to Shimonoseki for 2024.[9]
The service consists of 6 cars modified from 117 series units that were previously used for the Kansai region's Special Rapid Service. The livery was designed by Yasuyuki Kawanishi, who also designed the Echigo Tokimeki Resort Setsugekka and Hisatsu Orange Railway.[11]
Gallery
Car 1 (KuHa116-7016)
Car 2 (MoHa116-7036)
Car 3 (MoHa117-7036)
Car 4 (MoHa116-7032)
Car 5 (MoHa117-7032)
Car 6 (KuHa117-7016)
Logo of the WEST EXPRESS Ginga painted on the sides of Cars 1, 4, and 6
^● denotes the train stops at the station, while - denotes the train does not stop at station. Trains going to Kyoto or to Izumoshi are separated by a / for Monday or Friday times.
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