Penguin to conduct Japanese train

Oct. 5, 2010

 

Haruka, an African penguin who will serve as a ''conductor'' for Ichibata Electric Railway Co. in Shimane Prefecture on Oct. 9, 2010. (Photo provided by Matsue Vogel Park) Kyodo News 

MATSUE, Japan, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- A railway company in western Japan said it is offering spots on a train to be conducted by an African penguin.

The Ichibata Electric Railway Co., based in Izumo, said tickets will be available through Friday for a Saturday ride on a train featuring Haruka the penguin in the conductor's uniform, Kyodo News reported Tuesday.
The penguin, from Matsue Vogel Park, will lead the train on round-trip service along Lake Shinji in Matsue, the railway company said.

"I hope the special train will be packed with many passengers, enough to make our penguin conductor work hard," an Ichibata official said.

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