The is a

limited express A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes. Japan The term "limited express" is a common ...

train service in

Kyushu is the third-largest island of Japan's five main islands and the most southerly of the four largest islands ( i.e. excluding Okinawa). In the past, it has been known as , and . The historical regional name referred to Kyushu and its surroun ...

, Japan, operated by

Kyushu Railway Company The , also referred to as , is one of the seven constituent companies of Japan Railways Group (JR Group). It operates intercity rail services within Kyushu, Japan and the JR Kyushu Jet Ferry Beetle hydrofoil service across the Tsushima Strait ...

(JR Kyushu) since June 2011. The train normally runs between and via on the

Hōhi Main Line The is a railway line in Kyushu, southern Japan, operated by the Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu). It connects the west and east coasts of the island. The line originates at Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto and ends at terminal of Ōita Statio ...

Service pattern and station stops

Services normally operate on weekends,

Public holidays A public holiday, national holiday, or legal holiday is a holiday generally established by law and is usually a non-working day during the year. Sovereign nations and territories observe holidays based on events of significance to their history, ...

, and additional days, such as school holidays, with two return workings (''Aso Boy'' 101, 102, 103, 104) per day. The journey between Kumamoto and Miyaji takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.JR Timetable, August 2011 issue, p.143 Services stop at the following stations. - - - - - - - On certain dates in October to December 2011, the ''Aso Boy'' 101 and 104 services were extended to run between and Kumamoto as part of a destination campaign targeting Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima.

Rolling stock

The train is formed of specially modified 4-car KiHa 183-1000

diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple-unit train powered by on-board diesel engines. A DMU requires no separate locomotive, as the engines are incorporated into one or more of the carriages. Diesel-powered single-unit railcars are also ...

set converted from the former '' Yufu DX'' trainset.

Formation

The train is formed as follows, with car 1 at the Miyaji end, and car 4 at the Kumamoto end. File:JRK kiha183-1001 ASO BOY.jpg, Car 1 (KiHa 183-1001) File:JRK kiha182-1001 ASO BOY.jpg, Car 2 (KiHa 182-1001) File:JRK kiha182-1002 ASO BOY.jpg, Car 3 (KiHa 182-1002) File:JRK kiha183-1002 ASO BOY.jpg, Car 4 (KiHa 183-1002)

Interior

All cars are no-smoking. File:JRK kiha183-1001 Panorama-seat.jpg, Panorama seating in car 1 (KiHa 183-1001) File:JRK kiha182-1001 inside.jpg, Unidirectional seating in car 2 (KiHa 182-1001) File:JRK kiha182-1001 compartment inside.jpg, 4-seat bay seating in car 2 (KiHa 182-1001) File:JRK kiha182-1002 Kurochan-seat.jpg, "Kurochan" family seating in car 3 (KiHa 183-1002) File:JRK kiha182-1002 KURO CLUB.jpg, "Kuroclub" family area in car 3 (KiHa 183-1002) File:JRK kiha182-1002 KURO CAFE.jpg, "Kurocafe" area in car 3 (KiHa 183-1002)

History

The ''Aso Boy'' service was introduced on 4 June 2011.

References

External links

JR Kyushu ''Aso Boy'' train information

''Aso Boy'' seating plan
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aso Boy Named passenger trains of Japan Railway services introduced in 2011 2011 establishments in Japan Kyushu Railway Company ja:九州横断特急