The Kitchomu (lit. "lucky 46") was a very short-lived charter-only service run by a converted KiHa 58 series diesel multiple unit operated by the Kyushu Railway Company from 1987 to 1989.
History[]
The Kitchomu was an early Joyful Train consisting of a single two-car set converted from JR Kyushu KiHa 58 and 28 series cars; the cars selected for the conversion were KiHa 58 190 and KiHa 28 2487, with the former car being repurposed from the Rakuda set which ended operations shortly before JNR's privatization and division. The set was named for kitchomu, a hero in Japanese folklore, and entered service in 1987. The set would be used for special services and similar events before it was withdrawn from service in 1989, and was subsequently converted into the Joyful Train Ōita set. Throughout its time in service the train was based at Ōita Depot.
Design[]
The Kitchomu featured the same general design as the KiHa 58 series cars they were converted from. The set featured a white base coat with, uniquely, birds and flowers as an exterior motif.
Construction is of steel. Performance statistics are largely identical to that of the KiHa 58 series cars these were converted from. The set featured two different types of interior modifications; KiHa 58 190 features a Japanese-style interior while KiHa 28 2487 features a partial Japanese and partial European-style interior.
