The Joyful Train Ōita was a short-lived charter-only service run by a converted KiHa 58 series diesel multiple unit operated by the Kyushu Railway Company from 1990 to 1993.
History[]
The Joyful Train Ōita was an early Joyful Train consisting of a single two-car set converted from JR Kyushu KiHa 58 and 28 series cars. Both cars in the set were converted from the Kitchomu set, numbered KiHa 58 190 and KiHa 28 2487, and entered service in the Ōita area in 1990. The set would be used for special services and similar events before it was withdrawn from service in 1993; KiHa 58 190 was rebuilt a final time into the Shiranui set while the other car was scrapped.
Design[]
The Joyful Train Ōita featured the same general design as the KiHa 58 series cars they were converted from. The set featured a "gentle" paint scheme featuring different shades of green with a golden "waistband". The paintscheme was apparently considered so "gentle" that the train warranted a name change to fit the theming.
Construction is of steel. Performance statistics are largely identical to that of the KiHa 58 series cars these were converted from. The interior of the cars were converted to feature all Japanese-style seating, likely tatami mats or kōtatsus.
