Prophet of the Way wrote:

> * JR Group timetable changes
> 
> 1. All Tokaido Shinkansen trains will stop at Shinagawa and Shin-Yokohama.

That means I never have to go to Tokyo any more.  Getting on at 
Shinagawa is a lot more convenient, anyway.

> 4. Narita Express runs will increase.
> 
> Two runs will be added in each direction.

Two runs a day?  Only?  To <-> From which stations and Narita? 
Ekisupaato doesn't seem to know.

I hope that the extra income will allow JR to give some of those Ne'x 
trains a good derusting, scraping, and a new coat of paint.  Some of 
them are looking extremely grubby with bubbling paint and rust spots the 
size of my hand.

> 6. Fewer overnight trains
> 
> Naha (Kyoto-Kumamoto), Akatsuki (Kyoto-Nagasaki) and Ginga (Tokyo-Osaka) 
> will go out of service.
> 
> Hokutosei (Tokyo Ueno-Sapporo) and Nihonkai (Osaka-Aomori) runs will be 
> reduced.

This is sad news, but not unexpected.  Night trains were always a way to 
get to a number of different places, put in a day's work and get back 
without having to charge a client for a hotel room.  The Ginga was a 
place to collect lots of "strange Japan" stories and consume multiple 
One Cups with the madogiwazoku of dying corporations.  Naha was also a 
village of the damned on wheels that was a lot of fun.  I'll miss them.

-- 
CL