Photographing Subway Trains: The Chiyoda Line

Tokyo Metro 16000 series EMU arriving at Shin-Ochanomizu Station

Photographing subway trains has become part of my routine. Today, I’d like to share the sixth post in this series—the Chiyoda Line. The theme is “a subway line with two faces.” But before getting down to the main topic, as usual…

・What’s the Chiyoda Line?

It is the seventh-oldest subway line in Tokyo. It opened in 1969 and is operated by Tokyo Metro. The line is 24.0 km long and connects Kita-Ayase and Yoyogi-Uehara. A 5.0-km section, mainly in the east, runs above ground. The track gauge is 1,067 mm, and the line uses a 1,500 V DC overhead catenary system. The Chiyoda Line’s subway line number is “9,” and its line color is green.

Chiyoda Line trains run directly onto JR East’s Joban Line via Ayase and Odakyu’s Odawara Line via Yoyogi-Uehara. Tokyo Metro currently operates 16000 and 05 series EMUs on the line. Meanwhile, JR East’s E233-2000 series and Odakyu’s 4000 and 60000 series EMUs run directly onto the Chiyoda Line from their respective lines.

・A Train Operating in the City Center

All right then—please take a look at the photo above. You can see a green-striped, ten-car 16000 series EMU arriving at Shin-Ochanomizu Station in the city center. It wasn’t rush hour, but many passengers were waiting for the train, making the platform quite busy.

What a busy city Tokyo is!

・A Train Operating on the Local Section

Next, please take a look at the photo below. You can see a 05 series EMU arriving at Ayase Station. Doesn’t it look like a train on a local line? Furthermore, take another look at the photo. You can see the platform number for this local section—“0 (zero)!” What’s going on here?

Here’s the story behind it. The section between Ayase (this station) and Kita-Ayase Terminal (2.1 km) was originally a siding track. It was later converted into a revenue service track in 1979. Having said that, this section is treated as a branch line, so three-car 05 series trains mainly operate here.

The branch line’s new platform, Platform 0, was built adjacent to the existing Platform 1. To avoid changing the existing platform numbers (1 to 4), Platform 0 was assigned to the new platform.

A train had just arrived at Platform 0, but no passengers were waiting—so quiet.

I thoroughly enjoyed the two faces of the Chiyoda Line that day.

Tokyo Metro 05 series EMU arriving at Platform 0 at Ayase Station

Related link:

・Official information from Tokyo Metro

Spot the Difference: Keio's 1000 Series EMUs

Keio Series 1000, Set 1756 EMU at Fujimigaoka Railyard

It’s already October, and the weather is getting more comfortable in Tokyo. The best season for railfan activities is here.

I joined a Japan Railfan Club event held at Fujimigaoka Railyard on the Keio Inokashira Line last weekend. The theme was “Photographing Series 1000 EMUs.” Today, I’d like to share my experience at the event with you. But before getting down to the main topic, as usual…

・What’s the Inokashira Line and the Fujimigaoka Railyard?

The Inokashira Line is a commuter line in the western suburbs of Tokyo. The line is 12.7 km long and connects Shibuya and Kichijoji. Keio Corporation operates the line. One of the features of the trains on the Inokashira Line is that each trainset has a different color on its front mask and side stripes. Railfans call them “rainbow-colored trains.”

Fujimigaoka is the only railyard on the line. It’s located next to Fujimigaoka Station. I visited there for the first time in eight years (please see my previous post).

・Set 1756 and Set 1779 EMUs: Our Photographic Subjects

Keio kindly provided Sets 1756 and 1779 as photographic subjects. Let’s take a look at the photos.

You can see Set 1756 in the photo above. It’s standing on Siding No. 24, which is adjacent to the forest of Takaido Park. Set 1756 was built in 1997 as part of the second batch of Series 1000 trains. The color of its front mask and stripes is orange-beige.

On the other hand, you can see Set 1779 in the photo below. It’s standing on Siding No. 20, next to the factory. Set 1779 was built in 2009 as part of the sixth batch of Series 1000 trains. Set 1779 is a rather rare train on the line. It features a distinctive white front mask and rainbow-colored stripes along its sides. Set 1779 was modified last year in preparation for the introduction of Automatic Train Operation.

・Spot the Difference: Set 1756 and Set 1779

All right, then—please take another look at the photos and let’s enjoy a game of “spot the difference.” I found many differences between the two trainsets, apart from their coloring and stickers.

First, I spotted a difference in the shape of the destination indicators. Set 1756 has a box-shaped indicator on the front, while Set 1779 has a flush-mounted one. Was this one a piece of cake for you?

Second, I found a difference in the sides of the stainless-steel bodies. Set 1756 has beaded bodies, while Set 1779 has flat bodies without bead presses. Was this one not so difficult for you?

Third, the shapes of the radio antennas above the drivers’ cabs are different. Set 1756 has a simple stick-type antenna, while Set 1779 has an L-shaped one.

It’s getting harder and harder. There are various other differences, such as the shapes of the passenger doors… but let’s call it a day.

I had a lot of laughs and fun photographing the trains with my railfan mates that weekend. I really appreciate Keio Corporation for holding this special event.

Keio Series 1000, Set 1779 EMU at Fujimigaoka Railyard

Related link:

・Official information from Keio (in Japanese)

JR Central's "Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen" Train

"Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen" train arriving at Tokyo Station

You may remember that I wrote about the 25th anniversary train on the Disney Resort Line last month. Today, I’d like to share its sequel on a different line.

Let’s take a look at the photos right away. What’s the train in the photos?

It should be an easy question for an international train enthusiast like you. Yes, that’s a Tokaido Shinkansen train—a JR Central N700A series EMU, Set G47. Its nickname is “Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen.”

On June 19 this year, JR Central put the “Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen” into service on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Needless to say, this special wrapped train celebrates the 25th anniversary of Tokyo DisneySea and promotes tourism to Tokyo Disney Resort.

Just like the anniversary train on the Disney Resort Line, you can see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends featured on the train bodies. It’s such a fun design!

To photograph this special wrapped train, I checked the special timetable released by JR Central in advance and visited Tokyo Station. I saw many rail fans, families with small children, and inbound tourists taking photos on the platform.

“Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen”—you’re so popular!

For your information, the Tokaido Shinkansen is Japan’s iconic high-speed railway, which opened in 1964. The line is 515.4 km long and connects Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. It has a track gauge of 1,435 mm and uses a 25,000 V, 60 Hz AC overhead catenary system. JR Central operates the line.

The maximum operating speed of Tokaido Shinkansen trains is 285 km/h—not as fast as that of other Shinkansen lines, such as JR East’s Tohoku Shinkansen. One reason is the tight curves along the Tokaido Shinkansen. JR Central is currently constructing a next-generation high-speed railway, the Chuo Shinkansen, with a maximum operating speed of 500 km/h. It is often referred to as the “SCMAGLEV.”

The railway world is changing rapidly.

JR Central Series N700A, Set G47 EMU, Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen train

 

Related links:

・Official information about "Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen" from JR Central

・Official information about the Chuo Shinkansen from JR Central (in Japanese)

Yamitetsu Part 6: Shin-Yokohama Tunnel

Inside the Shin-Yokohama Tunnel on the Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line

I am fascinated by illuminated railway tunnels, and I enjoy “yamitetsu” there. I’m still at a beginner’s level when it comes to yamitetsu. But today, I’d like to share my recent experience in the Shin-Yokohama Tunnel with you.

・What’s Yamitetsu and Shin-Yokohama Tunnel?

As I mentioned before, “yamitetsu” is a Japanese slang term used by railfans for photographing trains and their related facilities in the dark, as well as for people who enjoy doing so.

The Shin-Yokohama Tunnel is a shield tunnel on the Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line, which opened in 2023. This was my third visit there, three years after my first.

・A View of the Illuminated Tunnel

All right then—please take a look at the photo above. I stood at the edge of the Shin-Yokohama Station platform and looked into the tunnel of the Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line. I could see the illuminated tunnel wall curving away into the distance.

There were many train approach warning lights to protect railway employees working on the tracks. The interior of the tunnel was very colorful. In fact, I saw several employees carrying out track maintenance work.

Thank you for your hard work. Have a good day!

・A Train Running in the Tunnel

Next, please take a look at the photo below. You can see a train running through the tunnel.

You may be thinking, “I’ve seen this scene in your previous post.”

But please take another look at the photo. The train is different from the one in my previous post. It’s a Saitama Railway 2000 series EMU. That’s the attention to detail you get from being a train enthusiast.

This train runs on three different railway lines and heads to Urawa-Misono, 53.6 km away. Have a safe trip!

I thoroughly enjoyed my yamitetsu adventure in the Shin-Yokohama Tunnel.

A Saitama Railway 2000 series EMU running through the Shin-Yokohama Tunnel

Photographing Subway Trains: The Tozai Line

Tokyo Metro 05 Series EMU, Set 05-124, “aluminum recycled cars”

Photographing subway trains has become part of my routine. Today, I’d like to share my fifth post in this series—the Tozai Line. The theme is “the Tozai Blue.” But before getting down to the main topic, as usual…

・What’s the Tozai Line?

It is the fifth-oldest subway line in Tokyo. It opened in 1964 and is operated by Tokyo Metro. The line is 30.8 km long and connects Nakano and Nishi-Funabashi. A 13.8-km section of the line, mainly in the east, runs above ground. The track gauge is 1,067 mm, and the line uses a 1,500 V DC overhead catenary system. The Tozai Line’s official line color is “light blue.”

Tozai Line trains run directly onto JR East’s Chuo-Sobu Line via Nakano and the Toyo Rapid Railway Line via Nishi-Funabashi. Tokyo Metro currently operates the 05, 05N, 07, and 15000 series EMUs on the line. Meanwhile, JR East’s E231-800 series and Toyo Rapid Railway’s 2000 series EMUs run directly onto the Tozai Line from their respective lines.

・The Tozai Blue: 05 Series EMU

All right then—please take a look at the photo above. You can see a blue-striped train, 05 Series Set 05-124, arriving at Kasai Station on an above-ground section. Needless to say, its blue stripes, especially the light blue stripe in the lower half, reflect the Tozai Line’s official color. Beautiful!

By the way, I know you may be wondering about the “Al” headmark sticker. It stands for “aluminum recycled cars.” In fact, some parts of Set 05-124 were made from aluminum recycled from the old 5000 Series EMUs. It’s an eco-friendly train, isn’t it?

・The Tozai Blue: Urayasu Station

Next, please take a look at the photo below. You can see a 15000 Series EMU arriving at Urayasu Station. The 15000 Series also has light blue livery—the Tozai Line’s color. It’s beautiful, too, isn’t it?

But I want you to notice one more thing—yes, the platform pillars. At this station, they are painted light blue, matching the Tozai Line’s color!

It may be a mere trifle, but I was impressed that Tokyo Metro pays attention to even the smallest details.

I thoroughly enjoyed my “Tozai Blue” adventure on the Tozai Line.

Tokyo Metro 15000 Series EMU arriving at Urayasu Station on the Tozai Line

Related link:

・Official information from Tokyo Metro