The Keisei-Matsudo Line: Update

Trainset 80026 of the EMU Keisei 80000 series, "Keisei color"

Do you remember when I reported that Keisei Electric Railway Company merged Shin-Keisei Electric Railway Company on April 1st? I recently visited the ex-Shin-Keisei line (present Keisei-Matsudo line) again, and saw it with my own eyes.

Let's take a quick look at the Keisei-Matsudo line to start. It’s a commuter route in the northwestern part of Chiba Prefecture. Connecting Matsudo on the JR East Joban line and Keisei-Tsudanuma on the Keisei-Chiba line, there are 24 stations over a total operating length of 26.5 kilometers. The gauge size is 1,435 millimeters. The electric system is 1,500 V DC. Most of the route is a double track. The Keisei-Matsudo line was originally constructed as a training line by the Railway Regiment of the ex-Japanese Army in 1929. After WWII, it was reopened as a commuter line, the Shin-Keisei line of Shin-Keisei Electric Railway Company, in 1947. 78 years later, it was renamed the Keisei-Matsudo line due to merger between Shin-Keisei and Keisei.

Now, let's head to the main topic. Following the EMU 8800 series, the 80000 series and the N800 series had also been started changing their body colors to what is called “Keisei color”. Please look at the photos. My impression of these trains has drastically changed. As you know, they were two-toned of white and pink before the merger. Please check out my previous posts on the Shin-Keisei-colored 80000 series and the N800 series. To be honest, it's a bit shame that the variety of the train colors has decreased, but I can't turn back time.

Trainset N818 of the EMU Keisei N800 series, "Keisei color"

2025 Summer Scenery in Gyoda City

EMU JR East E231 series, suburban-type train

I visited Gyoda City in Saitama Prefecture for the first time in four years. What’s new with my favorite city?

Let's take a quick look at Gyoda City to start. It’s located about 60 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, and known as a unique city. The rice paddy art is the recent popular spot. Real rice paddies are utilized as a canvas. Pictures are "painted" with varieties of rice that produce different colors. Artists are farmers and local people. They plant rice in the paddies in June. This year's theme is "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle". You can see giant Kamado Tanjiro in the rice paddies (see the photo below).

I can't just end it here, as this is a railway blog. On my way home, I got on the train at Gyoda station on the JR East Takasaki line, and enjoyed shooting trains at Omiya station. Please look at the top photo. This is the EMU E231 series, which I posted many times. If I were to add something, I would explain the width between the train front and the driver’s door. That’s quite wide. It works as a crush zone, and protects a driver when a collision occurs. This crush zone is wider on the suburban train type of the E231 series (top photo) than that of the commuter train type. The reason why is because the suburban-type train is operated at a faster speed. Trainspotters have no end of topics to talk about when they discuss trains. You too, right?

Rice paddy art, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle"

Official information, 2025 Rice Paddy Art in Gyoda City:

https://honyaku.j-server.com/LUCGDC/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.city.gyoda.lg.jp/kanko_bunka_sports/event/11122.html?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XCHARSET=utf-8&XJSID=0

B.B.Base: The Unique Train for Cyclists

Trainset J1 of the EMU JR East 209-2200 series, "B.B.Base"

I recently had an opportunity to take the JR East-Sobu line. When the train left Makuhari-hongo station in Chiba City, I found a super rare train, “B.B.Base” in the railyard. I didn't hesitate to get off the train at the next station, and turned back to Makuhari-hongo to shoot B.B.Base.

B.B.Base is a unique train for cyclists. Passengers can take their bicycles onboard, and just place them on the bicycle racks. B.B.Base is operated between Ryogoku in the central area of Tokyo and Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture on weekends. Official name of B.B.Base is trainset J1 of the EMU JR East 209-2200 series, “Boso Bicycle Base”. It’s composed of 6 cars (4 motorcars and 2 trailers). Each car, except Car number 4, can accommodate up to 19 or 20 passengers and the same number of bicycles. Car number ４is a free space where passengers can interact each other. Long benches are equipped. B.B.Base was originally built as a commuter train. After operating on the Keihin-Tohoku and Nambu lines, it was modified to B.B.Base in 2017. Its technical specifications are basically same as the other 209-2200 series.

By the way, you may have a question for me, “Have you ever ridden B.B.Base?” or “Why do you not shoot B.B.Base during the commercial operation?” That’s a tough question. Well, B.B. base leaves Ryogoku terminal early morning, but I'm not a morning person. I don’t like panting exercise like cycling. I've been busy lately especially on the weekends… Excuses, excuses.

Close up of B.B.Base

Official information about B.B.Base by JR East:

https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/joyful/bbbase.html

Trainspotting at the Underground Station

Set 4651 of the EMU 4000 series stands at Mitsuzawa-shimocho station.

The Japan Meteorological Agency made an announcement that this year's rainy season ended on July 18th in the metropolitan area. It means that 2025 mid-summer has begun. The maximum daytime temperature is often over 35 degrees Celsius. I want to evacuate from the urban "heat island" and enjoy railways on the cool plateau, but I’m a bit busy this summer. Instead, I visited an underground track for trainspotting. As you know, it’s a little cooler than the surface track because we can avoid direct sunlight underground. What’s more, many underground stations in the metropolitan area are airconditioned. I have no choice but to go.

My destination was Mitsuzawa-shimocho station on the Blue line of Yokohama Municipal Subway. Why? Trainspotters like me wish to shoot the whole train including the bogies. For that purpose, I have to find a suitable underground station. Firstly, a station having two separate platforms serving two tracks is an idealized condition, because I can shoot the whole train including bogies from the opposite platform. “Every exit is an entry to somewhere else.” Next, I have to carefully choose a station without pillars between the two tracks, because pillars block the view. In conclusion, Mitsuzawa-shimocho is an idealized spot.

Please look at the top photo. The EMU 4000 series stands at Mitsuzawa-shimocho station. What’ new with this train? I found a large, rounded sticker on the front. Yokohama City is preparing for a major event, “GREEN×EXPO 2027”. This sticker will generate enthusiasm for the EXPO (see the photo below).

GREEN x EXPO2027 sticker on the front of the EMU 4000 series 

EMU "Seibu" 8000 Series: Start of Commercial Operation

Set 8103 of the EMU Seibu 8000 series travels on the Haijima line

Do you remember when I introduced you to Seibu Railway’s new train, which was purchased from Odakyu Electric Railway as the second-hand train. Three months have passed since then, and Seibu put into commercial operation of that commuter train under the name of “Seibu” 8000 series (see the top photo).

Let me review the history of this train in the Odakyu era to start. The Seibu 8000 series originally debuted as the EMU “Odakyu” 8000 series in 1983. A total of 32 sets, 160 units, were built by Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Sharyo and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It’s the oldest train in operation on the Odakyu line, and also known as the last of the steel body commuter trains on the line. Incidentally, the 8000 series implemented a variable frequency drive electric control system after the renovation.

41 years later, it was decided that a total of 7 sets, 42 units, of the Odakyu 8000 series would be transferred to Seibu Railway. It will save the acquisition cost of new trains for Seibu Railway. Furthermore, it will save the maintenance cost for train operations, as the variable frequency drive is equipped on the 8000 series. As you know, this system saves electricity consumption.

Lastly, please don’t forget that the EMU Odakyu 8000 series is still being operated on the Odakyu line (see the photo below). It’s happy for railfans like me, as we can ride and compare the Odakyu 8000 and the Seibu 8000 models. I hope the two kinds of 8000 series will be operated as long as possible.

Set 8262 of the EMU Odakyu 8000 series travels on the Odawara line

Official information about the EMU Seibu 8000 series (in Japanese):

https://www.seiburailway.jp/railway/encyclopedia/8000/