On December 23, JR Tokai announced the design and symbol mark of the new limited express train “Series 385” (one 8-car train), which is under construction to replace the Series 383 used for the “Shinano” limited express train. The train is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2026 and to begin running tests.
The design concept is “Harmony of rich nature and culture” in the Shinano, Kiso, and Mino areas. The exterior design is based on the theme of a “fresh breeze soaring over the Alps,” and the front view from the front of both cars will allow passengers to enjoy a trip along the Chuo Main Line, which is blessed with seasonal scenery.
The interiors of both the Green Car and Normal Car feature vertical lines and woodgrain patterns, inspired by “Kiso Goki” (five trees in Kiso). In particular, the Green Car has the first three rows of backshell seats on the company’s conventional lines, and the interior is decorated with dignified colors and Mino ware to create an “elegant and private” feeling. The theme for the standard cars is “comfort of nature,” and they feature green seats like those in the forests of Kiso and a fresh, bright space.
The symbol mark is placed in a total of eight locations on each train. The symbol depicts the forests of the Shinano, Kiso, and Mino regions in a gradation of green, with large curves and three lines in green representing the coniferous trees along the line, and orange curves representing the speed at which the train travels the fastest curves in Japan.
© Source travel watch