“Nothing Changes” in Yamagata Prefecture

The KiHa101 series diesel railcar, FRUIT LINER, standing at Yamagata Station

Today, I'd like to return to my recent family trip to Yamagata Prefecture and share one more highlight from the trip.

I think there are many things in your country that have remained unchanged for a long time.

There are also many such things in Japan. For example, the five-story pagoda at Horyu-ji Temple in Nara Prefecture has stood unchanged for more than 1,300 years. My favorite five-story pagoda at Muro-ji Temple has remained unchanged for 1,232 years since it was built.

A pagoda that has stood unchanged for centuries can be found in Yamagata Prefecture as well. Please take a look at the photo below—the five-story pagoda of Haguro-san. It was reconstructed in 1372 and has remained unchanged ever since, for 654 years. During our trip to Yamagata Prefecture, I enjoyed taking a close look at this timeless pagoda.

Of course, I can’t end this post without mentioning the railway side of things—after all, this is a railway blog.

After visiting Haguro-san, we returned to JR East’s Yamagata Station. When we arrived there, what caught my eye was the “FRUIT LINER” train (see the photo above).

You may have forgotten that I introduced this train on my blog fifteen years ago. FRUIT LINER is a local commuter train operating on JR East’s Aterazawa Line. As you know, Yamagata Prefecture is well known as the “Kingdom of Fruit.” In fact, there are many orchards along the Aterazawa Line. That’s why the train running on this line came to be known as the Fruit Liner. You can see its beautiful two-tone white-and-blue body. The blue represents the waters of the Mogami River, which flows along the line.

The official designation of the FRUIT LINER is the KiHa 101 series. It is a 17-meter-long diesel railcar powered by a 243 kW diesel engine. It entered service in 1993, and a total of thirteen cars were built by Niigata Engineering.

I was very happy to see the FRUIT LINER again for the first time in fifteen years. It hadn’t changed at all and was still shining beautifully, just as it had fifteen years ago.

Always-changing urban scenery and trains are certainly attractive. But, like the historical pagoda and the train, … “Nothing changes” in Yamagata Prefecture also drew me in.

The five-story pagoda of Haguro-san in Yamagata Prefecture

The 30th Anniversary of the Rinkai Line

Series 71-000 Set Z11 with a “30th Anniversary of the Rinkai Line” headmark

On March 30 this year, Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Company (TWR) celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Rinkai Line. Today, I’d like to share a few thoughts about this milestone. But before that…

That’s weird. I still remember that TWR celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Rinkai Line four years ago. So why is TWR celebrating its 30th anniversary this year?

You may be wondering the same thing as I was, so let me start with a brief overview of the Rinkai Line.

・What Is the Rinkai Line?

The Rinkai Line is a commuter railway serving the waterfront area of Tokyo. It is operated by TWR, a public-private joint venture. The entire line is double-tracked, and trains run on a 1,500 V DC system. Most of the line runs underground, but it is not classified as a subway line. Rinkai Line trains also run directly onto JR East lines.

・History of the Rinkai Line

The Rinkai Line initially opened between Shin-Kiba and Tokyo Teleport (4.9 km) in 1996. It was then fully opened between Ōsaki and Shin-Kiba (12.2 km) in 2002.

In short, TWR celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Rinkai Line’s full opening in 2022. On the other hand, it is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the line’s initial, partial opening this year. Does that clear things up for you?

・The 30th Anniversary Headmark

Let’s move on. One of the events marking the 30th anniversary is the application of a commemorative headmark to Set Z11 of the Series 71-000 EMU (see the photo above).

In the photo below, you can see a close-up of another headmark on the other cab front. The Series 70-000 and Series 71-000 EMUs are featured on the headmark. The design is modest, but charming in its own way.

・Final Thoughts

Finally, I tried to look back on the days of the Rinkai Line’s “20th anniversary” in 2022. I remembered that the anniversary train was the older Series 70-000. Four years later, the “30th anniversary” train is the latest Series 71-000 EMU.

As far as I know, a total of five sets of the Series 71-000 have already entered service. I could really feel how quickly this urban railway is changing.

Congratulations on the 30th anniversary of the Rinkai Line!

The commemorative headmark celebrating the 30th anniversary

Related link:

・Official information from TWR (in Japanese)

Photographing Subway Trains: The Ginza Line

Series 1000, Set 40, the special-edition train, at Omotesando Station

I’ve started taking photos of subway trains again. Continuing from the Marunouchi Line, today I’d like to share some recent photos of the Ginza Line. The theme is “the changing Ginza Line.” But before that…

・What’s the Ginza Line?

The Ginza Line is Japan’s oldest subway line. It opened in 1927. The track gauge is 1,435 mm, and the electric system is 600 V DC. It uses a third-rail system for power collection, so there are no pantographs.

Currently, the Series 1000 is the only train type operated on the line. It is known for its high-tech features, including single-axle steering trucks designed to reduce noise and vibration on sharp curves.

・Set 40 at Omotesando Station

First, take a look at the photo above. You can see a Series 1000 train standing at Omotesando Station.

You may be thinking, “Just a nondescript scene. I saw the same thing in my 2018 post, too.”

But take a look at the side of the train. Platform screen doors have been installed.

Taking photos of subway trains is difficult enough as it is, but platform screen doors make it even more difficult. Of course, I know they are essential for preventing passengers from falling off the platform…

There’s no use complaining. Instead, let’s add a little spice to the photo. Take another look at the top photo. That’s Set 40, a special-edition Series 1000 train. Its classic body design was inspired by Japan’s first subway electric train, which was built in 1927.

・The Shibuya Siding Track

Next, take a look at the photo below. You can see an extra-rare elevated siding track between Shibuya Depot and Shibuya Station on the Ginza Line.

You may be thinking, “I saw this in your previous post in 2024, too.”

But take another look at the photo. The track has been moved to the left.

As you know, major redevelopment work is still underway around Shibuya Station. In the future, this precious elevated track will be covered by a roof. So this photo captures a precious moment in the ever-changing landscape of Shibuya Station.

The Ginza Line is indeed changing day by day.

Series 1000 EMU leaving Shibuya Depot

Tobu Series 10000 EMU: The “Ibushigin” Train

Tobu’s Series 10000 EMU, Set 11601

To begin with, I have a question.

Do you know the Japanese word “ibushigin”?

Its literal meaning is something like “oxidized silver,” but it has a deeper meaning. To me, “ibushigin” describes someone who has stood the test of time and has a quiet, understated charm. In English, it is close to the idea of a “seasoned veteran”—an accomplished player, actor, or craftsman, for example.

Here’s my next question: Is there any train like “ibushigin” in your country?

Japan certainly does! We have many trains that I would describe as “ibushigin.” But if I have to choose one, I’ll go with Tobu’s Series 10000 EMU!

That’s what today’s post is about. It’s been thirteen years since I last featured this train.

Seeing is believing. So, take a look at the photos.

There it is: the Series 10000—the “Ibushigin Train.”

So, why do I think of the Series 10000 as an “ibushigin” train?

First, it looks rather old, but its stainless-steel body still has a distinctive, subdued shine.

Second, its frontal design looks sturdy. The Series 10000 is quite different from the earlier Series 9000, which has a simpler “flat face.”

Third, the corrugated panels on its sides also give the train a solid, sturdy appearance. They were originally designed to cover the welded plates and hide uneven areas. You don’t see these corrugated panels on the latest stainless-steel trains anymore, thanks to advances in technology.

Fourth, its rooftops are lined with many air-conditioning units. As you know, modern trains generally have just one large, simple air-conditioning unit on each car.

Of course, modern trains are beautiful, too. But I’m more drawn to the “Ibushigin Train,” whose appearance reflects its long history. Its long history seems to show in every detail.

And for those of you who enjoy the technical side of railways, here are a few details about the Series 10000

The Series 10000 EMU is Tobu Railway’s 1,500 V DC commuter train, developed in 1983 as a successor to the Series 8000 EMU. A total of 118 units were built by Tokyu Sharyo, Alna Sharyo, and Fuji Heavy Industries. It features a 20-meter-long stainless-steel body, a field chopper control system, regenerative braking, and so on. Regenerative braking is particularly useful when descending the steep gradients on the Nikko Line.

I sincerely hope this Ibushigin Train will continue running safely for as long as possible.

Tobu’s Series 10000 EMU, Set 11603

Related link:

・Official information from Tobu (in Japanese)

My Memorable Trains: JR Central’s Series 211 EMUs

JR Central’s Series 211, Set SS5, at Mishima Station (January 2023)

As I mentioned before, I’ve started sorting through my train photos. But that’s easier said than done. As soon as I started looking through my old photo albums, I got completely absorbed in them and forgot all about my original purpose. One of the trains that recently caught my attention was JR Central’s Series 211 electric multiple unit (EMU). So today, I’d like to share this train with you.

What’s Series 211?

The Series 211 is a standard direct current (1,500 V) EMU. It was developed by the former Japanese National Railways (JNR) in 1985, just before its breakup. A total of 827 cars entered service with JNR and its successors—JR East, JR West, and JR Central.

Technically, it features a 20-meter-long stainless-steel body equipped with bolsterless bogies, a field-excitation control system, regenerative braking, and so on.

What’s new with the Series 211?

JR East’s Series 211 EMUs are still in operation in some areas, such as the “Yagasuri Train,” but they have already disappeared from the JR West and JR Central lines.

First, the top photo shows JR Central’s Series 211, Set SS5, standing at Mishima Station on the Tokaido Main Line. I took it in January 2023. Set SS5 consisted of three cars and was part of the 211-5000 series. It was a very cold day, and the COVID-19 pandemic was still ongoing. You can see that all the passengers were wearing masks.

At the time, it seemed that Set SS5 could continue running at a high level for years to come. But in fact, it was retired the following year, in 2024. What a shame.

Next, the bottom photo shows JR Central’s Series 211, Set GG4, standing at Atami Station on the Tokaido Main Line. I also took this photo in January 2023. Set GG4 consisted of two cars and was part of the 211-6000 series.

Unlike JR East’s Series 211, JR Central’s Series 211 was often coupled with other types of EMUs. You can see a Series 313 EMU behind Set GG4.

It, too, was retired the following year, in 2024. Almost three years have passed since then. Time really flies.

Sayonara (goodbye), and thank you, JR Central’s Series 211 EMUs! I will never forget you.

JR Central’s Series 211, Set GG4, at Atami Station (January 2023)