Sunday 17 March 2024

Joetsu Shinkansen: New Shuttle’s Neighbor

The Joetsu Shinkansen train is seen from Hanuki station on the New Shuttle line

This is the sequel of my last post. After enjoying the 40th anniversary memorial trains on the New Shuttle line, I shifted my attention to the adjacent track. That's JR East's Joetsu Shinkansen. Let me quickly review the Joetsu Shinkansen to start. It's the main transportation artery between Tokyo Metropolis and Niigata Prefecture. Its operating length is 334 kilometers. The EMU E7 series is the representative model on the Joetsu Shinkansen. Its maximum operating speed is 275 kilometers per hour.

Hanuki station platform on the New Shuttle line is one of the best places to observe the Joetsu (and Hokuriku) Shinkansen trains, because the New Shuttle track and the Shinkansen track are the same height. We can easily shoot the Shinkansen trains, especially southbound ones running with high speed. Trains are operated every 15 minutes on average. For your information, a suitable sunlight condition for photographers is around noon. It's a fairly famous shooting spot among rail-fans.

Another recommended spot is the riverside of Haraichinuma River, 0.5 kilometer southwest of Maruyama station on the New Shuttle line. It's not a famous spot, but I like it. We can observe 3-story tracks there. They are, from top to bottom, the southbound Joetsu Shinkansen track, the northbound Joetsu Shinkansen track and the northbound New Shuttle track. Sitting on the riverside, I could fully enjoy the hurtling Shinkansen train, whose total length is 300.25 meters. Early spring scenery in the suburban area was also my favorite. Spring has sprung in the Tokyo metropolitan area!

Distant view of the EMU JR East E7 series traveling on the Joetsu Shinkansen

Official information about the Joetsu Shinkansen:
Official information about the JR East E7 series (in Japanese):

Thursday 14 March 2024

The 40th Anniversary of the New Shuttle

The New Shuttle track has 3 rigid wires for power supply and a guide rail (lower left)

I recently visited the New Shuttle for the first time in two years. What's new with this AGT (Automated Guideway Transit) line?

Let me review the New Shuttle. It's a rubber-tyred automated guideway transit (AGT) system in Saitama Prefecture, about 30 kilometers north of Tokyo. The formal name is the Ina line of Saitama New Urban Transit Company. Connecting Omiya and Uchijuku, its operating length is 12.7 kilometers. The route was opened in 1983 beside the JR East's Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen track. The track is mostly double, but partly single. The power supply is 600V three-phase alternate current. Instead of an overhead catenary, three rigid wires are installed along the track. Unlike the other AGT lines such as the Yurikamome, Nippori-Toneri Liner and Seaside Line, a driver operates each train. It's not a driver-less operation. For your information, the definition of the Automated Guideway Transit is a transportation system that runs on rubber tires by applying guide wheels to the guide rails in the center or side walls of the track. It doesn't necessarily mean driver-less operation. You can see three rigid wires for power supply and a guide rail in the top photo.

In commemoration of the 40th anniversary, all trains of the New Shuttle have been displaying 40th anniversary stickers since last August. We can see illustrations of both the retired model, EMU 1000 series (later modified to the 1010 series), and the latest model, EMU 2020 series, on the sticker. Time really flies. Congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the New Shuttle!

The 40the anniversary sticker of the New Shuttle train

Official website, the New Shuttle (in Japanese): https://www.new-shuttle.jp/

Monday 11 March 2024

The 2nd Generation SDGs Train: Part 2

The 2nd generation SDGs train, set 3122 of the EMU Tokyu 3020 series

This is the sequel of the 2nd generation SDGs train on the Tokyu lines. In April, 2023, Tokyu Railways launched the 2nd generation SDGs trains on their four routes, namely the Toyoko, Setagaya, Meguro and Den-en-toshi lines. The former two have already been posted, so, I'm going to show you the latter two today.

Let me review the concept of SDGs Trains to start. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all United Nations Member States to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. In accordance with SDGs, Tokyu commissioned the special poster trains named "(the 1st generation) SDGs trains" in 2020. Those trains were substantially powered by renewable energy, but Tokyu's initiative was not limited to the partial use of renewable energy. In 2023, the company then started the use of 100% renewable energy for all trains. In commemoration of this goal achievement, Tokyu commissioned the 2nd generation SDGs trains.

Please look at the photos. The top image shows the new SDGs train for the Meguro and its directly operation lines, set 3122 of the EMU 3020 series. On the other hand, the photo below shows the new SDGs train for the Den-en-toshi and its directly operation lines, set 2150 of the EMU 2020 series. These trains are ornamented with the 17 goal colors of SDGs. The gradation represents co-creation of the goals. These 2nd generation SDGs trains are also vivid and beautiful. Observing trains is really fun.

The 2nd generation SDGs train, set 2150 of the EMU Tokyu 2020 series

Friday 8 March 2024

Kenty Skyliner: The Prince of Keisei Escorts Passengers

Set AE4 of the EMU Keisei AE series, "Kenty Skyliner"

Railway companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area are in competition to attract passengers. For that purpose, many companies have their own mascot characters, such as Odakyu's "Mokoron" and Sotetsu's "Sounyan", to refine the value of their lines. In addition, several companies use celebrities for their advertising campaigns. For instance, Tokyo Metro, which is a subway operator, has been using a famous actress, Ishihara Satomi, for their TV commercials. On the other hand, Keio Electric Railway recently uses a young emerging actress, Kiyohara Kaya, for their TV ads and digital signages at the stations.

The celebrities contributing to railway companies are not only females. Keisei Electric Railway uses a famous young male idol, Nakajima Kento, for their face of the company. He acts as "the Prince of Keisei", and promotes the airport access train "Skyliner" on the TV commercials. Needless to say, the rival of Skyliner is JR East's "Narita Express". Keisei is operating a special poster train, named "Kenty Skyliner", as well. That's Set AE4 of the EMU Keisei AE series. As you probably have noticed by now, "Kenty" is the nickname of Nakajima "Kento". This train displays a gold-colored "Kenty Skyliner" sticker on the front. Furthermore, large posters of Kenty, who is dressed as the Prince of Keisei, are also displayed on the side bodies. It means that Kenty, the prince of Keisei, escorts passengers in the likeness of princesses. I hope that many passengers, specifically young girls, use Kenty Skyliner to be escorted by the Prince of Keisei.

Side body of "Kenty Skyliner"

Official website, "Kenty Skyliner" (in Japanese):

Wednesday 6 March 2024

Small Topics on the Chuo Rapid LIne

Nursery school children observe the EMU JR East E233 series

It is said that there are 2 million rail-fans in Japan, according to sociological research. It's 1.6 percent of the total population. They are ride-on rail fans, train spotters, rail photo lovers, model train lovers, ticket collectors, sound rail fans, timetable rail fans, train lunch lovers, train driving simulator lovers and so on. This is just out of curiosity, but... "What was the catalyst for them to start enjoying railways?"

I recently found a root of rail-fans. Please look at the top photo. Local nursery school children on the JR East Chuo Rapid line are observing trains accompanied by their teachers. That's one of the important events during strolling. When I pricked up my ears, I could hear children's conversation. "The E233 series is coming." "That's a rapid train bound for Tokyo." Exactly! That's great! Where did you learn that? I am convinced that they are potential rail-fans either way. Their future looks bright.

You may feel like something is missing from this post, so, I'm going to show you one more topic on the Chuo Rapid line. JR East and Ibaraki Prefecture are jointly promoting a regional tourism campaign named Ibaraki Destination Campaign. As a part of this campaign, a train with special plates on the front and back was operated on the Chuo Rapid line from October to December, 2023. After coming across this train, I visited Ibaraki Prefecture, and enjoyed amazing anglerfish hot pot, dried sweet potatoes, fragrant strawberries and rich plum wines. I only talked about foods. Sorry!


Set T25 displays "the Ibaraki Destination Campaign" plate on the front