The Rakuda (lit. "camel") was a short-lived charter-only service run by a converted KiHa 58 series diesel multiple unit operated by the Japanese National Railways from October 1983 to March 1987.
History[]
The Rakuda was an early Joyful Train consisting of three two-car sets converted from JNR KiHa 58 and 28 series cars, converted in 1983, 1984 and 1986; KiHa 58 140 and 58 190 were converted in 1983, 28 2420 and 2436 in 1984 and 58 1131 and 28 3015 in 1986. After conversion the cars did not receive any changes to their numbering. The first cars entered service on 7 October 1983 with the others following suit after.
The trains were named for the camel, as a camel acted as a mascot for JNR's Tokutoku Ticket (special discount tickets) at the time. The sets were repainted in 1986 to mimic the appearance of the then-newly introduced 185 series sets. The sets remained in the same use in that livery until they were retired in March 1987. Some cars were reconverted into other Joyful Train sets, such as the Utopia and Kitchomu, while the remaining cars were scrapped. The set was based at Kagoshima Depot and was retired shortly before JNR's privatization and division.
This set is often credited for starting the diesel-powered Joyful Train craze.
Design[]
The Rakuda featured the same general design as the KiHa 58 series cars they were converted from. The set initially featured a simple livery with blue accents, before gaining slanted stripes down the side to mimic the 185 series sets.
Construction is of steel. Performance statistics are largely identical to that of the KiHa 58 series cars these were converted from. It is not clear what modifications were performed with the interior of this set, although it is stated that the set featured a Japanese-style interior (likely kōtatsus or tatami).
