Sonic (train)
Japanese limited express train service
title: "Sonic (train)" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["kyushu-railway-company", "named-passenger-trains-of-japan", "railway-services-introduced-in-1997", "1997-establishments-in-japan"] description: "Japanese limited express train service" topic_path: "geography/japan" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_(train)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Japanese limited express train service ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox rail service"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Sonic |
| image | JR-K 885-01.jpg |
| image_width | 300px |
| caption | A White Sonic 885 series EMU |
| type | Limited express |
| first | 1997 |
| operator | JR Kyushu |
| line_used | Kagoshima Main Line, Nippō Main Line |
| stock | 883 series, 885 series EMUs |
| speed | 130 km/h |
| :: |
| name = Sonic | image = JR-K 885-01.jpg | image_width = 300px | caption = A White Sonic 885 series EMU | type = Limited express | first = 1997 | last = | operator = JR Kyushu | line_used = Kagoshima Main Line, Nippō Main Line | stock = 883 series, 885 series EMUs | speed = 130 km/h
Sonic is the name used by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) for the limited express train service operating between Hakata and Ōita via Kokura and Beppu along the Kagoshima Main Line and Nippō Main Line in Kyushu, Japan. It runs every 30 minutes at a speed of 130 km/h - with a journey time of approximately 2 hours.
Rolling stock
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Sonic883_at_oita_station.JPG" caption="An 883 series EMU on a ''Sonic'' service in July 2008"] ::
Services are operated by a fleet of eight 7-car 883 series electric multiple unit (EMU) trains and eleven 6-car 885 series White Sonic EMUs.
- 883 series EMUs (8 x 7-car) - Since 1997
- 885 series EMUs (11 x 6-car) - Since 2001 Most services are operated by renovated 883 series trains including a panoramic lounge area located in the Green Car (first class).
History
On 20 April 1995: New 883 series Sonic EMUs were introduced on Nichirin limited express services between Hakata and Ōita, and named Sonic Nichirin. Two years later, on the twenty-second of March in 1997: Nichirin and Sonic Nichirin services were combined to become Sonic services operated entirely by 883 series EMUs. In 3 March 2001 new 5-car 885 series White Sonic were introduced on Sonic services. 885 series White Sonic sets lengthened from 5 to 6 cars, which allowed interchangeability with the 885 series White Kamome sets. In 18 March 2007, smoking was banned in all cars. On 19 July the next year the three 5-car 883 series sets got augmented to 7 cars.
References
- "JR Timetable" March 2008 issue
References
- (May 2025). "TrainReview".
- [http://www13.jrkyushu.co.jp/newsreleaseweb.nsf/9dd28b8cb8f46cee49256a7d0030d2e6/36114f5a50ca111d492574720057ef5e?OpenDocument "中間車両を6両新製し、特急「ソニック」の座席数を増やします", JR Kyushu press release, 24 June 2008, retrieved 26 June 2008] {{webarchive. link. (28 June 2008 {{in lang). ja
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