In the autumn of 1988, an unprecedented train departed Europe and headed to Japan. It was called the "Orient Express 1988."
The train departed from Paris's Gare de Lyon on September 7th, traveling by rail over 14,500km across Eurasia, passing through France, West Germany, East Germany, Poland, the Soviet Union, and China, before being transported by sea to Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, where it was refurbished for use within Japan and operated as a train bound for Tokyo, earning it the world record for the longest run of a single train at 15,494km.
The train then ran within Japan for about three months, generating a lot of buzz as it passed through the recently completed Seikan Tunnel to Hokkaido. After the service ended, the passenger cars returned to Europe, but Pullman Car 4158 returned to Japan alone in April 2004 and was placed in the collection of the Hakone Lalique Museum, which opened in March 2005.
This product is a reproduction. Starting with this product, the passenger car set will include an "Orient Express" headmark for ED76/EF81.
Orient Express '88 - Beautifully recreates the elegant appearance of the Orient Express, synonymous with luxury trains. - This model accurately recreates the Orient Express '88 train formation, which arrived in Japan in 1988, including the spare cars (Mani 50 and Oni 23) coupled to it during domestic service in Japan. - Realistically recreates the deep, lustrous body color nicknamed the "Blue Primadonna," as well as gold accents and copper-colored handrails. - Detailed depictions of the distinctive roof ventilators and underfloor equipment. - Recreates the TR47 bogies used for domestic service in Japan, with their white painted frames modeled after European bogies. - Recreates the JR spare cars Mani 50 and Oni 23 coupled to it during domestic service in their coupled configuration. - The middle cars feature the buffers, large coupling doors, coal bunkers, and storage compartments unique to European cars. - The interior is recreated in a mahogany color scheme. Installing the separately sold interior lights creates an even more elegant interior. In addition, the interior of the No. 9 WSP 4158DE Pullman dining car is illuminated with a red lamp shade that creates a romantic atmosphere. Arnold couplers are standard equipment. Replacement knuckle couplers are included. Attached to the locomotives used in domestic Japanese service.
The basic set includes an attachable "ORIENT EXPRESS '88" headmark. ・In addition to the existing headmarks (1 for EF65, 1 for EF58), two new headmarks (ED76/EF81) are included. ・The specially bound package includes a book-shaped case and a booklet.