East Japan Railway Co. plans to use double-decker coaches for all the cars in its popular Hokuto limited express sleeper train linking Tokyo's Ueno and Sapporo.Production of the coaches will start in the summer and the train will be in operation by summer 1999.The train will consist of 12 double-decker coaches, including one dining car and one lounge car. The other coaches will contain compartments designed to sleep two people. Each compartment will have a toilet as well as a monitor for satellite TV broadcasts.The train will have 88 two-person sleeping compartments, including eight first-class compartments. The upper deck of a first-class compartment will serve as a living room, with the bedroom on the lower deck. The compartment will also contain a shower.Meals will be an important part of the train's service because the journey between Ueno and Sapporo takes about 16 hours. With a reservation, a passenger can have breakfast and dinner delivered to the compartment. At night, the dining coach will serve as a pub.
