Jomo's Grape-Colored Train

Jomo’s grape-colored car, DeHa 101, at Ōgo Railyard

Today, I’d like to share a memorable railfan experience with you.

After observing and taking photos of Tobu Railway’s grape-colored train, 81111F of the 8000 series EMU, I headed to Gunma Prefecture to join an event held by the Japan Railfan Club at Ōgo (or Oogo) Railyard of the Jomo Electric Railway. During the railyard tour, I had the chance to see another grape-colored train: DeHa 101, an electric car from Jomo Electric Railway’s DeHa100 series. It was my first reunion with DeHa 101 in nine years.

As I mentioned in a post back in 2017, DeHa 101 is a remarkably long-serving car that originally entered service in 1928. It has a semi-steel body a little over 16 meters long, painted in a classic grape color. At first glance, this color looks similar to Tobu’s grape-colored train, but there are subtle differences. Tobu’s 81111F looks a bit darker and more blackish, while Jomo’s DeHa 101 has a slightly reddish tone. Officially, the former is called Budō (Grape) Color No. 1, and the latter is Budō (Grape) Color No. 2. I think that it looks different depending on how the light hits it. Sorry for getting a bit nerdy here.

From a technical point of view, DeHa 101 is very old-school. It uses a non-automatic acceleration indirect electric control system, along with a nose-suspension drive system. What really surprised me as a railfan was that there’s no speedometer in the cab. Drivers have to judge the train’s speed entirely based on experience. Even though ATS (Automatic Train Stop) is installed, it still feels like a challenging train to operate, especially for new drivers.

By the way, DeHa 101 is no longer used in regular service and now runs only as a chartered train. According to Jomo Electric Railway, it costs 110,000 yen (about 700 USD) per day (one round trip), tax included.

Inside DeHa 101

Related link:

・Official information from Jomo Electric Railway (Japanese only)

Tobu’s Grape-Colored Train

Tobu’s Grape-colored Train, 81111F, traveling on the Ogose Line

Let me pick up where I left off in my last post. After photographing and riding JR East’s new train on the Hachiko Line, I turned my attention to one of the Hachiko Line’s neighboring railways. This time, my focus was on Tobu Railway’s Grape-colored Train.

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, so please take a look at the photo above. Yes—this is the Grape-colored Train operating on the Tobu Ogose Line, a branch line of the Tobu Tojo Line. Its official designation is Set 81111 (hereafter referred to as 81111F), part of the 8000 series EMUs.

As many railway fans know, the 8000 series has become something of an endangered species on Tobu lines. The series first entered service in 1963 as Tobu’s commuter train for busy urban routes. Over the next 21 years, a total of 712 cars were built. However, even trains cannot escape the passage of time, and the number of 8000 series cars has now declined to just 167.

That said, it’s not all bad news. The Grape-colored Train, 81111F, was introduced as a commemorative project marking the 100th anniversary of the full opening of the Tojo Line. A century ago, trains on the Tojo Line were painted in this distinctive color. To recreate the appearance of trains from 100 years ago, 81111F was repainted from its former cream livery to grape color in July of last year.

By the way, would you describe this train’s color as “grape” in your country? To me, it doesn’t feel quite right. Rather than grape, it looks more like a chocolate. In fact, the name comes from the former Japanese National Railways’ official color classification. According to its color chart, the color of 81111F is designated as “Budō (Grape) Color No. 1.” I apologize for getting a bit technical here.

Close-up of 81111F

Related link:

Official information on the Grape-colored Train by Tobu (in Japanese)

New Hybrid Train on the Hachiko Line

JR East's HB-E220 series hybrid train arriving at Komagawa Station

I’m happy to introduce a brand-new train that has joined the metropolitan area fleet. Please take a look at the photo above. Here it is—JR East’s HB-E220 series hybrid train on the Hachiko Line. This new train debuted last December, replacing the older KiHa 110 series DMUs.

What’s new about the HB-E220 series?

First, the power transmission system has been completely redesigned. On the older KiHa 110 series, the engine’s rotational force was sent to the wheels through a torque converter (a hydraulic transmission) and a reduction gear. In contrast, the HB-E220 series uses diesel–electric propulsion. Power generated from the engine and rechargeable batteries is fed to the traction motors via a main converter. In addition, during braking, the motors act as generators and recharge the batteries.

Second, the carbody material has changed from steel to stainless steel to reduce weight. The number of passenger doors has also increased from two to three per side on each car, allowing smoother boarding and alighting. Inside, the seats have been changed from semi-cross seating to longitudinal benches (see the photo below).

What was my impression?

The train stood out with its silver body accented by green stripes. When it departed, it was as quiet as an EMU. About five seconds later, the diesel engine kicked in—just like a DMU. It felt a little strange, in a fun way.

As for the interior, I was impressed by the spacious, wheelchair-accessible restroom. On the other hand, I was a bit disappointed that there were fewer passenger windows, because machine rooms occupy space inside the cars. And more importantly for someone who enjoys traveling by train, I was shocked to find no cross seats at all. As the saying goes, when you gain something, you lose something.

Incidentally, if you have time, please check out my previous posts on other JR East hybrid trains—the KiHa E200 series, the HB-E210 series, and the HB-E300 series as well.

Interior of the HB-E220 series

・Official information by JR East (in Japanese)

Like a Snake: Point Switches on the Tama Monorail Line

A point switch on the Tama Monorail Line (straight-running configuration)

Let me pick up where I left off in my last post. After taking photos of the Pom Poko–wrapped train, I continued enjoying the Tama Monorail Line. My next focus was the point switches of this straddle-beam monorail. Since I observed dual-gauge track point switches on the Hakone Tozan Line last month, I wanted to see monorail point switches with my own eyes as well.

My target was a point switch near Tama Center Terminal.

First, I rode in the rear car of the train and observed the point switch in one state. Please take a look at the top photo. Yes—this is the configuration for straight running. Unlike standard railways, you can see many components and pieces of equipment along the track. It looks more complex than that of the Tokyo Monorail Line, which I posted about 13 years ago.

After that, I moved to the front car and observed the point switch in another state. Please take a look at the photo below. This is the configuration for branch running. What a twisty structure it is! I could hardly believe that this point switch is made of iron and concrete. It is composed of many short rails connected by flexible joints. The way it moves is just like a snake.

For a rail fan like me, small scenes like these always feel like hidden treasures. I can’t help but stop and watch for a moment. Perhaps you can feel a bit of that excitement too? Rail fans are happy creatures, aren’t they?

A point switch on the Tama Monorail Line (branch-running configuration)

Tama Monorail's Pom Poko Wrapped Train

The Pom Poko wrapped train crossing the Asakawa River

This might sound sudden, but let me start by introducing an animated film. Pom Poko is a 1994 Japanese fantasy movie created by Studio Ghibli. The story follows a group of tanuki—Japanese raccoon dogs—living in the Tama area of Tokyo. As their forest home gradually disappears under development, the tanuki use their shape-shifting powers to resist the changes. In Japanese folklore, tanuki are known to transform into humans and play tricks, so the film blends fantasy, humor, and a surprisingly touching message.

Now, fast-forward 30 years. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has decided to shine a new spotlight on Pom Poko by promoting the Tama area through the Tama Monorail Line. And yes—that means a wrapped train. Please take a look at the photo above. This is the Pom Poko wrapped train, decorated with many of the film’s lovable characters. I spotted it from the riverbed of the Asakawa River, which felt like the perfect place to photograph a train connected to a story about nature and tanuki.

For those interested in the technical side (I know some of you are!), the wrapped train is Set 1102 (1102F) of the 1000 series EMU—the only train type running on the Tama Monorail Line. These sets are 1,500 V DC with aluminum alloy bodies, and all four cars are motorcars. Their traction system uses an IGBT–VVVF inverter paired with induction motors. Set 1102 used to wear an all-white livery, but from October 17 to December 21 last year, it transformed—quite literally—into the Pom Poko wrapped train.

So yes… 1102F has shape-shifting powers of its own!

A tanuki character from Pom Poko (left)

Related link:

・Official information by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (in Japanese; machine translation available)