JR Limited Express Relay Kamome 24 from Takeo-Onsen to Hakata Train Review

Continuing from my Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome 24 from Nagasaki, the Limited Express Relay Kamome 24 will carry on from Takeo-Onsen to Hakata on the local lines, as the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen does not physically connect yet with the Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen network. These 2 trains are advertised as a single through-service from Nagasaki to Hakata.

I was issued with a single combined reserved seat ticket showing both my Kamome 24 and Relay Kamome 24 details side by side.

There is just 3 minutes from my Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome 24 before the connecting Limited Express Relay Kamome 24 departs.

My connecting Limited Express Relay Kamome 24 is formed with a 787 Series EMU.

Boarding the Limited Express Relay Kamome 24 at my booked Car 4.

Car 4 has some booth seats, useful for travelling in groups of 4.

Unfortunately, while the regular seating area in Car 4 looks spacious with a high ceiling, this means that there are no overhead luggage racks.

Nevertheless, the good legroom on board the Relay Kamome 787 Series EMU allows me to store my 2 backpacks on the floor.

A flip-up tray table is available from the middle armrest.

My Relay Kamome 24 departed from Takeo-Onsen on time at 12.16pm.

Heading along the Sasebo Line.

Kohoku Station

Making a brief stop at Kohoku Station.

Saga Station

Making a brief stop at Saga Station.

I headed to explore around the 787 Series EMU here.

An accessible toilet is available on board the 787 Series EMU.

A multi-purpose room is available with glass windows and a bench inside.

A vending machine used to be in operation, but sales has since stopped.

Regular toilets are also available.

A wash basin is available along the corridor.

There seems to be 2 types of seats available in ordinary cars on board the 787 Series EMU. Both has its cons compared to other limited express trains especially when it comes to luggage storage.

The countryside scenery on the way back to the urban areas.

Shin-Tosu Station

Making a brief stop at Shin-Tosu Station.

Shin-Tosu Station is an interchange station with the Kyushu Shinkansen. If travelling from the Nagasaki Main Line to the Kyushu Shinkansen, changing trains at Shin-Tosu Station may offer a faster journey.

I had the option of changing here for Shin-Osaka too, but I wanted a lunch break in Hakata before continuing the journey, and hence stayed on board the Relay Kamome 24 for the full journey.

My seat neighbour alighted at Shin-Tosu, and with no new passenger taking up the seat upon departure, I moved my bags up to the seat and stretched my legs.

Departing from Shin-Tosu Station.

Tosu Station

Making a brief stop at Tosu Station.

Passing by Takeshita Station.

Passing by HEARTS Bus Station Hakata on approach to Hakata Station.

Hakata Station

My Relay Kamome 24 arrived at Hakata Station on time at 1.14pm.

Looking back at the interior of Car 4. Comfortable seats and spacious interior, but unfortunately poor on luggage storage.

The compartment seats area of Car 4.

Each compartment seats 4 passengers in a facing bay with a table in the middle.

The table top can be flipped over to form a bigger table to the comfort of each passenger.

And alas, luggage racks are available in each compartment.

The other cars have limited express seats with small closeable overhead luggage compartments, which do not fit all cabin baggage as well.

My 787 Series EMU train set went off service upon arrival at Hakata Station.

My Relay Kamome 24 at Hakata Station.

Heading out of the fare gates.

The concourse of Hakata Station.

The façade of Hakata Station.

Conclusion

On this return leg and my previous experience as well, luggage storage is an issue on board the 787 Series EMU Relay Kamome trains, and I was only travelling with cabin-sized bags. I can definitely feel the inconvenience if travelling with a 24-inch luggage already, and dread to think about what will happen with a 28-inch luggage.

The Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen current fragmented Kamome operation also does not do the technology and speeds justice.

My Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome 24 and Limited Express Relay Kamome 24 combination from Nagasaki to Hakata took 1 hour and 29 minutes, just about a 21-minute improvement of the previous Limited Express Kamome through train service (pre-Shinkansen) at about 1 hour and 50 minutes on the fastest train. The extra 21 minutes, however, offered better views on the conventional line, and more importantly, a one-seat ride with no need to transfer trains in the middle of the journey.

As a tourist, the extra 21 minutes may be negligible for a more scenic and comfortable train ride, but perhaps this speed-up is welcome by the locals in West Kyushu.

Politics seem to be in the way of connecting the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen with the rest of the Shinkansen network, somewhere south of Hakata, so looks like this arrangement is to stay in the near future.