Sonic (train)

Infobox j-rail service
name="Sonic"

---

caption="White Sonic" 885 series EMU
type=Limited express
operator=JR Kyūshū
lines=Kagoshima Main Line, Nippō Main Line
startyear=1997
endyear=
stock=883 series, 885 series　EMUs

nihongo|"Sonic"|ソニック|sonikku is the name used by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyūshū) for the limited express train service operating between Hakata and Ōita via Kokura and Beppu along the Kagoshima Main Line and Nippō Main Line in Kyūshū, Japan. It runs every 30 minutes with a journey time of approximately 2 hours.

Rolling stock

Services are operated by a fleet of eight 7-car 883 series EMUs and four 6-car 885 series "White Sonic" EMUs.
* 883 series EMUs (8 x 7-car) - Since 1997
* 885 series EMUs (4 x 6-car) - Since 2001

History

* 20 April 1995: New 883 series "Sonic" EMUs are introduced on "Nichirin" limited express services between Hakata and Ōita, and named "Sonic Nichirin".
* 22 March 1997: "Nichirin" and "Sonic Nichirin" services are combined to become "Sonic" services operated entirely by 883 series EMUs.
* 3 March 2001: New 5-car 885 series "White Sonic" are introduced on "Sonic" services.
* 15 March 2003: 885 series "White Sonic" sets lengthened from 5 to 6 cars, allowing interchangeability with 885 series "White Kamome" sets.
* 18 March 2007: All cars are made no-smoking.
* 19 July 2008: The three 5-car 883 series sets are augmented to 7 cars. [ [http://www13.jrkyushu.co.jp/newsreleaseweb.nsf/9dd28b8cb8f46cee49256a7d0030d2e6/36114f5a50ca111d492574720057ef5e?OpenDocument "中間車両を6両新製し、特急「ソニック」の座席数を増やします", JR Kyūshū press release, 24 June 2008, retrieved 26 June 2008] ja icon]

References

* "JR Timetable" March 2008 issue

External links

* [http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/index.html JR Kyūshū]