It certainly looks different from what we're used to seeing:

http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2014/06/06/ ... per-train/

That's a beautiful open view in the rear observation, but I see zero impact protection from a rear collision. What could possibly go wrong?

-Mark

Oh, it's better than that. This is actually an MU trainset, and it's double ended. That open view is over a motorman's position at the end. Means sometimes you're looking forward. Great railfan seat, but what if you hit something solid? What if it's something like a tank truck with gasoline?

And take note of the headlights--a "loop," or "collar," for lack of a better description, of what are probably LED lights around the front window.

Floor plans and other things in this PDF file:

http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2014/20140603.pdf

It's quite amazing that all this is on Japan's legacy Cape gauge (3 feet, 6 inches).

Other material from a series on this site:

http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2013/08/11/ ... ns-trains/

http://www.spoon-tamago.com/tag/trains-trains-trains/

Maybe the management people at CSX should not only allow steam again, but should also bring back Chessie:

http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2013/08/13/ ... aster-cat/

I remember seeing the photos of this when it was new. Only 36 cars in all, assembled into six trainsets, all assigned to an airport to town shuttle service, but apparently quite iconic in Japan:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nankai_50000_series

One set is currently in red paint for a promotion; I tell you, the thing looks like it would be at home in a Dieselpunk movie, like "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow:"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nankai_500 ... o_Xeon.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76fOkB9VEpU

I will say this line has conductors that look a lot better than what we get here. Instead of the old guys we have, they get pretty girls:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdmiQoa-ou0

Ahem--don't tell my wife I said that!