Railway_Digest__February_2018

Right: The author’s entree dish
served on the Shikoku-Mannaka-
Sennen Monogatari consisted of
very high standard local produce.
Below: At Oboke station, on Friday
6 October 2017, a 2000 class
express diesel tilt train forming
‘Nanpū express number 14’ to
Okayama, overtook the Shikoku
Man Naka Sennen Monogatari. The
express train, takes only 50-54
minutes to travel this section,
whereas the dining train takes
almost three times as long. From
1989, the 2000 class diesel tilt
train superseded the slower
Kiha 185 diesel railcars. In 2018,
however, Shikoku railway plans to
introduce a new diesel tilt train
with an advanced tilt mechanism.
Food
The food listed on the timber booklet menu began with the four-flavours
tasting plate comprising tender and full-of-flavour locally-made rare wagu
beef plus lotus, marinated chicken using local mint and spice plus local
fruit salad and sushi using local fish served with local craft beer, followed
by locally-produced roast wagyu beef with local grown rice and finished
with sweets. I was surprised by the locally produced beef, as Shikoku is not
known for beef production, but the beef was very tasty and easily bettered
beef from other famous beef producing regions in Japan! The good food
and drinks, friendly locals waving, scenic cascades and mountains, as well as
luxury interior décor made the just under three-hour journey very enjoyable.
These two trains, in company with Queensland Pioneer Steam
Railway’s theatre dinner theme train, are game changers, offering
customers more than just a heritage train ride. Both appear to be
experiencing success so far. It is good to see some tourist and heritage
rail operators change their image and reinvent themselves to capture
interest from both the rail fan and non-railfan market, which should
help them continue in business.
Acknowledgment
The author would like to thank Mr Masamitsu Yao for his assistance.
52 RAILWAY DIGEST