An open-top sightseeing train powered by biofuel made from used cooking oil and lard extracted from discarded ramen soup began operating in a town in southwestern Japan on August 1.
The new fuel for trains operated by Takachiho Amaterasu Railway Co. in Takachiho town, Miyazaki prefecture, is made by mixing discarded tempura oil with lard extracted from "tonkotsu," or pork bone broth, ramen soup from restaurants in a 9:1 ratio and purifying it with chemicals.
The excess oil from making fried rice is also used to power sightseeing trains on Kyushu Island.
Tourists board the Amaterasu Railway Company's sightseeing train, which runs on biofuel, in Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture on August 1, 2022. Photo: Isao Araki
Tourists who want to admire the poetic Japanese scenery on this special train can go to Takachiho town, Miyazaki province.
This interesting idea was developed by Nishida Shoun Transport Company in Shingu Town, Fukuoka Prefecture (Japan). Soon after, they received interest from Takachiho Amaterasu Railway Company, which is interested in environmentally friendly biofuel.
Takachiho Amaterasu Railway Co. is interested in biofuels because it wants to proactively seek environmentally friendly solutions. It turned to Nishida Shoun, a transport company in Shingu, Fukuoka Prefecture, that has developed the fuel. The company will also use refined cooking oil to power at least 200 train cars starting in 2021.
Since mid-June, the railway company has continued to conduct test runs and found that the engine starts smoothly and has no problems running on slopes. There is no black smoke or strong exhaust odor, which is common in conventional diesel engines.
Takachiho Town buys recycled cooking oil at the same price as regular gasoline and diesel. It is environmentally friendly and the train's performance remains unchanged.
Biodiesel is a fuel with properties similar to diesel fuel but is not produced from petroleum but from vegetable oil or animal fat. Biodiesel in particular or biofuel in general is a type of renewable energy.
An employee of Amaterasu Railway Company refuels the first train of the day with biofuel in Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture. Photo: Isao Araki
A company worker filled the train with fresh fuel before its first departure on the morning of August 1. As the engine started, the platform was filled with the aroma of stir-fried oil, as if in a Chinese restaurant.
"The smell of this oil is special. It's like the smell of a Chinese kitchen, a distinctive greasy smell. The oil collected from restaurants is refined and combined with various chemicals to create a smokeless material," said the director of the Takachiho Transport Company.
Naoki Akimoto, 38, an office worker from Osaka Prefecture who visited with his family, was impressed and said, "It's great that there is a sightseeing train that can run on ramen soup."
In addition, at the Takachiho Amaterasu Railway, visitors can enjoy the nature of Takachiho to the fullest. However, due to the outdoor operation, heavy rain and strong winds will affect the operation. Also, be sure to pay attention to the days when the bridge is closed.
