Hojo Railway to run trains on biodiesel

Japan’s first biodiesel fuel (BDF) train using refined edible oil was launched in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan by Hojo Railway Co. The train services the Hojo Line, a 13.6 km line which links Hojo, a central town in Kansai, and two railway lines, JR West Kakogawa Line and Shintetsu Ao Line. Hojo Railway said biodiesel fuel costs 20% more than tax-free gas oil for railways, but keeps similar mileage and acceleration capacity. The BDF train will be operated on weekends, the company said. In a bid to attract more visitors to the financially troubled line, the Hojo Railway also has recruited two baby monkeys, Nehime and Rakan, to sport the train lines gold and blue uniforms, complete with tiny hats. Their job is to climb aboard the train and serve at the platform as station masters. (October 18, 2010)