Ferrari designer creates super luxurious Japanese train

By Karla Cripps, CNN

updated 6:00 PM EDT, Mon July 7, 2014

(CNN) -- What happens when you ask a super-car designer to create a super luxurious train?

Magic, judging by the above images released by Japanese rail company JR East.

Yamagata-born Ken Okuyama, well known in automobile design circles, was brought in to style the company's super slick new Cruise Train, due to start chugging down the tracks in spring 2017.

Holding a maximum of 34 passengers, the Cruise Train will have 10 carriages made up of five suites, one deluxe suite, two glass-walled observation cars, a dining car and lounge.

Okuyama has worked as a chief designer for General Motors, a senior designer for Porsche AG and design director for Pininfarina, the company behind the Ferrari Enzo and Maserati Quattroporte.

Japan Rail East has called on Ferrari designer Ken Okuyama to create a 34-passenger luxury train. It will have only 10 carriages, including two glass-walled observation cars.

Observation carriages are located in the front and the back of the super-luxury train.

All suites will have a private bathroom with a shower and toilet but the top sleeping space is the deluxe suite. On the bottom are two beds, on the top a traditional Japanese dining area.

The Cruise Train's 10 carriages include five suites, one deluxe suite, two glass-walled observation cars, a dining car and lounge.

Japan Railway East's planned Cruise Train has a separate lounge car. Due for launch in the spring of 2017, no fares have yet been announced.

Proposed lounge seating on JR East's Cruise Train, now in development, suggests a new level of railway luxury.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/07/travel/japan-luxury-train/