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JR Kyushu Unveils Restored Quake-Damaged Tsubame Car, Plans Barge Tour to Hakata Exhibition

JR Kyushu presents the project as a regional recovery symbol aligned with milestone anniversaries.

Overview

  • On March 12, JR Kyushu publicly revealed the repaired No. 1 car at the Kumamoto Rolling Stock Depot after nearly a decade in storage.
  • The car cannot self-propel and was loaded onto a trailer for a test move inside the depot ahead of overland transport.
  • Overnight on March 28, the car is slated for road haul to Kumamoto Port, with departure by barge scheduled for March 29.
  • The coastal voyage will run via Kagoshima Bay along western Kyushu before a public display outside JR Hakata Station from April 10 to 19.
  • Repairs and repainting began in July 2025 to restore the exterior; the six-car 800-series derailed during the April 14, 2016 foreshock, damaging the lead bogie and sidelining cars 1–3.