A test drive event for the media of Kyoto Tango Railway's new limited express train KTR8500 will be held between Amanohashidate and Nishi-Maizuru on March 5, 2024, and the train in the "JR Tokai color" with orange lines will be in the "Kyoto by the Sea" area. ran at full speed. Although it was unfortunately raining, the appeal of the new vehicle was promoted, allowing visitors to enjoy the panoramic view of Miyazu City's scenic Nagu Coast and Yuragawa Bridge from the large windows known as Wide View and the high-decker seats with a high floor.
The driver's side window extends all the way to the side, and the floor of the passenger seat is higher than the aisle and the window is wide. In March 2023, Kitakinki Tango Railway (Miyazu City), the third sector that owns Kyoto Tango Railway's vehicles, announced the Kiha 85, which was used on the limited express "Hida" and "Nanki", as the successor to the aging limited express "Tango Explorer". I purchased the series from JR Tokai.
The vehicle departed from Amanohashidate Station at 12:16 p.m., crossed the Yuragawa Bridge near the surface of the river, overlooking the Nagu Coast where waves crash against the rocks and the Yura Coast with its white sand and green pine trees, and arrived at Nishi-Maizuru Station 45 minutes later. .
Toru Iijima, president of Willer Trains, the operating company, commented on the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension between Kanazawa and Tsuruga on March 16th, saying, "This train has a great view and is popular among railway fans.You can enjoy the beautiful sea and mountain scenery.'' Therefore, we would like to make the most of it to create tourism demand."
The new train will operate as the limited express "Tango Relay" between Fukuchiyama, Amino and Toyooka following the timetable revision on March 16th, and will also be used for events and special trains.
According to JR Tokai, the Kiha 85 series has already been retired, and vehicles of the same type can only be seen on the Kyoto Tango Railway.
