Philippine National Railways (PNR) has added to its line a new Japan-made train set that has recliner and rotating seats, stowable tables, and even a toilet.
With the Kogane train set, passengers can lean to their desired position and rest their legs well.
The PNR Japan-made Kogane train set can carry up to 81 passengers.
“Passengers can enjoy reclining, and rotating seats, stowable tables, leg rests, and a comfort room inside the train. The said train set from Japan could accommodate 81 passengers,” said PNR.
Meanwhile, PNR announced on December 1 that it expanded its service to Los Baños, Laguna.
The fare from Tutuban to Los Baños is only P150.
Five new stations were added after the Calamba station or the Pansol, Masili, Los Baños, College, and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) stations.
Meanwhile, two new train sets from Indonesia will be arriving next week.
Train sets will be added to the Tutuban – FTI, and Malabon – FTI routes.
Kogane train set history
The three-car train was converted in November 1989 at JR East’s Koriyama Works from former KiHa 58 series diesel cars to become the KiHa 59 series Gracia Joyful Train set for use on special charter services in the Sendai area and northeast of Japan. The train was withdrawn in May 2003 and rebuilt to become the Kogane trainset, repainted in a white, gold, and orange livery and re-entering service from July 2003.
The Kogane trainset was withdrawn from service on 26 December 2010 and was subsequently shipped to the Philippines.
In its career under the Philippine National Railways, it served regular and shuttle lines, but its windshields had to be armored with steel meshes to prevent the glass from shattering due to train stoners. The unit underwent general renovation and overhaul in 2019 and is now fitted with more flexible and safe plexiglass.
On September 20, 2019, the PNR Kogane trainset was used on a test run and clearing operations on the Calamba-Los Baños section of the PNR Metro Commuter Line.