Akatsuki (train)

Timetable of Akatsuki, as of March 2008 before its discontinuation Source: ==History==

Akatsuki, as an overnight limited express service, was introduced on October 1, 1965, by Japanese National Railways. It was operated between Shin-Ōsaka and two destinations in Kyūshū, namely Nishi-Kagoshima (present-day Kagoshima-Chūō) and Nagasaki. It was connected at Shin-Ōsaka with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen. In the 1960s, the operation of Akatsuki was increased. Its maximum operation was 14 services (7 round-trips) a day in the mid-1970s, and all of them were connected with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen. At the end of the 1970s, the number of Akatsuki services was reduced due to decreasing ridership. From November 1986, Akatsuki remains as only two services (one round-trips) a day. Due to falling passenger numbers, the service was discontinued in March 2008. ==Rolling stock==

Historically, Akatsuki used the following types of coaches: • 20 series passenger cars • 14/15 series passenger cars • 24/25 series passenger cars When the train was discontinued, the train consisted of 14/15 series cars. ==See also==