Serving a Double Purpose on the Odakyu Line, Part 3

A local train, Set 3657 of Odakyu's 3000 series EMU crossing Tama River

The other day, I headed to the Tama River to take care of a personal errand. When I arrived at my nearest station on the Odakyu Line, I immediately noticed something unusual. Many passengers were standing around the concourse, looking puzzled. Was something wrong? When I checked Odakyu’s website, I finally understood the reason: the trains were heavily delayed.

Did I have no idea what to do?

Please don’t worry—railfans are always optimistic. I quickly changed my mindset, realizing that this was a chance to see some rare railway scenes. The proof is in the pudding. Please take a look at the top photo. It may look like an ordinary photo at first glance, but it is actually quite rare because of the shooting angle.

I took this photo of an all-stop train crossing the Tama River through the window of the last car of an express train standing at Noborito Station. In short, the local train on the local track caught up with the express train on the express track. This rare situation, caused by timetable disruption, made it possible to capture this unusual angle. You may think, “Is that all?”—but I hope you can understand my excitement as a railfan.

By the way, what was my errand at the Tama River? The answer lies in the photo below. I visited the riverside near Noborito Station and enjoyed fossil hunting. My find of the day was a fossil crab (Carcinoplax sp.?), from the Iimuro Formation, which was deposited about 1.3 to 1.1 million years ago. Its long claw is cool, isn’t it?

Once again, I served a double purpose on the Odakyu Line.

A crab fossil (Carcinoplax sp.?) found near Noborito Station

The 20th Anniversary of the TX Line: Part 2

Trainset 3181 of the EMU 3000 series with the “Unir” commemorative plate

Do you remember when I introduced the 20th anniversary train on the Tsukuba Express Line (hereafter referred to as the TX Line) last July? Eight months later, I recently revisited the TX Line. Today, I’d like to share what I observed during this visit.

First, a brief introduction to the TX Line. It is a relatively new commuter railway in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The line was opened in 2005 by a joint public–private company, the Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company. Connecting Akihabara in central Tokyo with Tsukuba, a science city in Ibaraki Prefecture, the line has a total operating length of 58.3 km. The maximum operating speed is 130 km per hour, which is very fast for a narrow-gauge railway.

During my visit, I found a second commemorative train celebrating the 20th anniversary. Please take a look at the top photo. You can see a special commemorative plate mounted on trainset 3181 of the EMU 3000 series, featuring the TX Line’s new mascot character, “Unir.” According to the company’s website, Unir is a unicorn who joined the company in 2025. Unir belongs to both the transportation and engineering departments and works in both roles. Unir is also good at playing musical instruments and researching fashion—Unir, you’re a genius! (see the related links).

By the way, there was one disappointing thing I should mention. Please take a look at the photo below—that is Kitasenju Station. It used to be a convenient station near central Tokyo for taking train photos. However, passengers are currently not allowed to go to the end of the platform, as platform extension work for 8-car trains is under way. According to the company, the platform extension projects along the entire TX Line are scheduled to be completed in the first half of the 2030s.

Does that mean it will be impossible to take train photos at Kitasenju Station until then?

The platform of Kitasenju Station under extension construction

Related link:

・Official information about the "Unir" train from the Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company (in Japanese)

・Official information about "Unir" from the Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company (in Japanese)

Yokohama Subway Green Line: A 2026 Update

GREEN×EXPO 2027 wrapped train, 10000 series EMU, Set 10011

I recently revisited Yokohama’s Green Line for the first time in two years, and I would like to share a few observations from this short but interesting metro route.

By way of background, the Green Line is Yokohama’s second subway line, opened in 2008 by the city’s Transportation Bureau. It runs for 13.1 kilometers between Nakayama (JR East’s Yokohama Line) and Hiyoshi (Tokyu’s Toyoko Line), serving ten stations in total. The line uses linear motor technology, which allows for smaller tunnel profiles. A distinctive feature of this system is the reaction plate installed between the rails, clearly visible from the platform.

The highlight of my visit was a specially wrapped train advertising GREEN×EXPO 2027, Yokohama’s upcoming international horticultural exposition. Shown in the top photo is Set 10011 of the 10000 series EMU, now running in this colorful promotional livery. A similar wrapped train has already appeared on the Blue Line, and it is good to see the Green Line joining in as well.

Next, please look at the photo below. You can see the EXPO’s mascot character, Tunk Tunk, with its cute pink, heart-shaped face next to the passenger door. However, there is one problem: a “6 cars” sign just above Tunk Tunk. As I mentioned two years ago, the trains on the Green Line have been in the process of changing from four-car to six-car formations. I had assumed that all 17 trainsets had already been converted to six cars. If that were the case, there would be no need to display a “6 cars” sign on a newly wrapped train.

After looking into the matter, I found that only ten sets have been converted to six-car trains for rush-hour service, primarily for peak-hour operation. As a result, two different train lengths—four-car and six-car sets—continue to coexist on the Green Line.

So, the Yokohama Municipal Subway—you are being frugal, aren't you?

“6 cars” sign located above the Tunk Tunk mascot

“Dream Space” in Kiyose City

Unit OShi 25 901 of Series 24 dining car preserved in Kiyose Chuo Park

Great news for rail fans — Yumekukan is finally back after nearly two years and is now open to the public again!

For those who may not know, Yumekukan (“Dream Space”) was a luxury train operated by JR East. It consisted of three beautifully designed cars and first entered service in 1989, mainly for charter and special runs. Since it didn’t have its own power supply car, it was always coupled with standard 24 Series passenger cars and hauled by a locomotive.

After 19 years in service, the train was retired in 2008. Two of the three cars were preserved in front of a shopping mall in Misato City, Saitama, but unfortunately they were closed to visitors in 2024 due to deterioration. Thankfully, Kiyose City in Tokyo stepped in and took over the cars. They were carefully relocated to Kiyose Chuo Park and, after restoration work, reopened to the public on February 1.

When I visited the park, I was immediately struck by how stunning the cars looked. Please check out the photos! The green one is the dining car, OShi 25 901 of the 24 Series. The red one is the lounge car, OHafu 25 901. What impressed me most was how faithfully they have been restored. I even spotted a small freshly painted notice on the underfloor equipment reading “Push, automatic water supply” and “Drain cock for air control” — such a wonderfully detailed touch!

The interior isn’t open yet, but I’ve heard it may be used as a restaurant in the near future. I’m really looking forward to that day.

Under the winter sunlight, Yumekukan was shining beautifully. Kiyose Chuo Park truly feels like a dream space now.

Unit OHafu 25 901 of Series 24 lounge car preserved in Kiyose Chuo Park

2026 Snow Scene on the Odakyu Tama Line

Odakyu 8000 series EMU approaching Haruhino Station against a snowy backdrop

Do you get snow in your country? Here in Japan, it depends on the region.

During winter, mountains block the cold, wet winds blowing from the northwest, which causes heavy snowfall on the Japan Sea side. As a result, only dry air reaches the Pacific side, including the Tokyo metropolitan area, so Tokyo usually enjoys sunny days throughout the season.

However, there are exceptions. When a low-pressure system approaches from the Pacific side, the Tokyo metropolitan area can also experience snowfall. That happened last weekend in Tokyo. It was a difficult time for ordinary people, but for rail fans like me, nothing was more exciting than snowfall. It was a perfect opportunity to take train photos against snowy scenery.

I visited Haruhino Station on the Odakyu Tama Line and waited for trains rushing toward me with snow-covered backgrounds.

Five minutes later, a cream-faced train with a blue stripe emerged from the tunnel. Please take a look at the photo above. That is an 8000 series EMU—how cool! The 8000 series is becoming increasingly rare, as many sets have been scrapped and/or transferred to Seibu Railway. Thank you, 8000 series EMU, for your hard work in this cold weather.

Ten minutes later, the next train came out of the tunnel. Please see the photo below—yes, that is the 4000 series EMU. Nearly nineteen years have already passed since it entered service. Recently, the 4000 series has been operating through onto the JR East Jōban Line via the Odakyu and Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Lines. Thank you for your long service. I think the 4000 series has a great smile in this photo. Or am I just daydreaming?

I fully enjoyed the 2026 snow scene on the Odakyu Tama Line. Being a rail fan is awesome, isn't it?

Odakyu 4000 series EMU approaching Haruhino Station against a snowy backdrop