KATO News

The TGV EuroDuplex, which operates on both domestic and international lines of the French National Railway (SNCF), debuted a new livery in the early 2010s in a color scheme called “Carmillon”—a mix of carmine red and vermilion. In 2019, the TGV was rebranded and received a new identity in the form of the “inOui” („unbelievable" or "astonishing„ in French). Alongside this rebranding came improvements in various services, as well as the introduction of a new logo.

Step back into the golden age of rail with the “Hayatama,” a beloved overnight local that quietly connected Nagoya and Tennōji, winding its way 500+ kilometers through the Kansai Main Line, Kisei Main Line, and Hanwa Line. Though officially a local train, the Hayatama stood out for its inclusion of B-type sleeping cars, earning it a train name for MARUS ticketing compatibility. It began life in 1959 as the “Nanki,” before passing that name to a limited express and adopting its now-iconic title—“Hayatama”—in 1978.

Eizan Electric Railway operates a scenic private line that runs from Demachiyanagi in central Kyoto to the historic Kurama area, nestled at the foot of Mount Kurama. Introduced in 1997, the 900 Series “Kirara” was designed for sightseeing, featuring expansive panoramic windows that bring the changing seasons into view. Originally running in Maple Red and Maple Orange color schemes inspired by Kyoto’s famous autumn leaves, one trainset received a fresh new look in 2019 to mark the 90th anniversary of the Kurama Line. The new livery—Maple Green—evokes the vibrant energy of Kyoto’s early summer green maple leaves (aomomiji).

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