The 25th Anniversary of the Saitama Stadium Line

Thanks 25 TRAIN: Set 2101 of Saitama Railway’s 2000 series EMU

On March 28, Saitama Railway will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Saitama Stadium Line. To mark this milestone, the company is hosting several special events. Today, I’d like to share a little about them with you.

Since my explanation in an older post may have been unclear, let me briefly revisit the basics of Saitama Railway and the Saitama Stadium Line. Saitama Railway Company is a joint public–private company founded in 1992. The Saitama Stadium Line (formerly the Saitama Rapid Railway Line) is the company’s only route opened in 2001. Stretching 14.6 kilometers, it connects Akabane-Iwabuchi in Tokyo and Urawa-Misono in Saitama Prefecture with a total of eight stations. All trains run through onto the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, and some continue even farther onto the Tokyu and Sotetsu lines.

Sorry for the long introduction. To celebrate the line’s 25th anniversary, Saitama Railway has been operating a special wrapped train—“Thanks 25 TRAIN”—since October 13 last year, using Set 2101 of the 2000 series EMU.

Please take a look at the photo above. This is the Thanks 25 TRAIN, wrapped in colorful posters. The artwork on the side is an abstract painting created by a person who lives along the Saitama Stadium Line. It represents diversity and connection within the local community.

Now, please look at the photo below. This is another abstract painting wrapped on the opposite side of the train. It expresses the flow of people’s emotions leading toward the future. Quite profound, isn’t it?

By the way, these photos were taken on the Tokyu Meguro Line, since most of the Saitama Stadium Line runs underground. I’m not asking for praise, but capturing these shots was a bit of a challenge.

Close-up of "Thanks 25 TRAIN"

Related link:

・Official information by Saitama Railway Company (in Japanese)

The Keisei Matsudo Line: A 2026 Update

Keisei-colored 8900 series EMU operating on the Keisei Matsudo Line

I recently visited the Keisei Matsudo Line for the first time in five months, and today I would like to share my firsthand impressions of what I observed there.

First, a brief introduction to the Keisei Matsudo Line. This route was known as the Shin-Keisei Line until March 2025. The name change followed the merger of the Shin-Keisei Electric Railway Company into Keisei Electric Railway Company. Since then, efforts have been ongoing to harmonize systems across the Keisei network and the former Shin-Keisei Line, now operating as the Keisei Matsudo Line. One of the most noticeable outcomes of this process has been the introduction of a new train color scheme.

Following the 8800, N800, and 80000 series EMUs, the 8900 series has also begun to adopt the so-called “Keisei color.” The photograph above shows a Keisei-colored 8900 series EMU that entered service on December 24, 2025. When compared with its previous livery, the transformation is striking. The latest 8900 series’ bold red and blue stripes clearly mark it as a Keisei train.

I also photographed a Keisei-colored 8900 series EMU alongside a Tokyo Metro 16000 series train at Matsudo Station. As shown in the photo below, the 16000 series seemed surprised to see an unfamiliar train beside it. Is my imagination running wild?

In any case, I find both the Shin-Keisei and Keisei color schemes of the 8900 series appealing. I hope that trains in both liveries will continue to operate on the Keisei Matsudo Line for many years to come.

Keisei-colored 8900 series EMU (left) and Tokyo Metro 16000 series EMU (right)

The Opening of a New Era—Indonesian Trains

Set 4 of KCI’s CLI-225 series EMU (Photo: Faris Fadhli)

Let me pick up where I left off in my last post.

My friend, Faris Fadhli, kindly shared the latest photos from Indonesia. New Indonesian-made EMUs have been introduced in the Jakarta area. Once again, my thanks go to Faris Fadhli for sharing his recent photos with me.

Please take a look at the photo above—yes, that’s an Indonesian-made EMU, KCI (PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia) CLI-225 series, which entered service on December 16, 2025. This new model was built by the Indonesian rolling stock manufacturer INKA in cooperation with Japanese companies. For example, the basic carbody design was transferred from J-TREC, and the VVVF traction control system was manufactured by Toyo Denki.

A total of 16 sets (192 cars) have been ordered by KCI, and four sets (48 cars) are already in operation.

What is my impression of the CLI-225 series as a rail fan? From what I can see in the photos, it looks sturdy. Its front design somewhat resembles JR East’s E235 series EMU in Japan. However, I actually like the CLI-225 series better, as it features several distinctive accents, such as the linear light on the lower front.

I know that INKA began manufacturing EMUs in 2001—nearly a quarter-century ago. That first model was the European-style KRL-I series. To accommodate low platforms, retractable steps could be deployed in synchronization with the automatic doors. It was quite charming, but only two sets (eight cars) were introduced.

Sorry—I’ve done it again, talking about the old days. I think I’ll stop here for today.

Congratulations on the dawn of a new era for Indonesian trains!

Ex-JR East 205 series EMU (left) and CLI-225 series EMU (right)

(Photo: Faris Fadhli)

Arigato — The 8500 Series EMU in Indonesia

Set 8618 of the 8500 Series EMU exhibited at Jakarta Kota Station

(Photo: Faris Fadhli)

I recently received another heartwarming message from an Indonesian railfan. My friend, Faris Fadhli, kindly shared some news along with his latest photos. I really appreciate his updates—they always make me feel closer to Indonesia’s railway scene.

As many of you may know, the former Tokyu 8000 and 8500 series EMUs, JR East’s 203 series EMUs, and Tokyo Metro’s 05 series EMUs were all retired by the beginning of 2026. They are now being scrapped at Depok Railyard near Jakarta. Faris even sent me photos of the stacked train bodies in the junkyard. But honestly, I had to look away. Seeing them like that was too painful for me. Maybe I’m a bit sentimental… but I guess that’s what being a railfan is all about.

So instead of those sad images, let me share a brighter one that Faris sent me last year. Please look at the photo above—yes, that’s Set 8618 (or 8618F) of the former Tokyu 8500 series EMU in Jakarta. Among Indonesian railfans, this set became known as the “Revival of JALITA.” It was specially displayed at Jakarta Kota Station during the farewell ceremony for three former Japanese train sets on November 11, 2025. If you’re interested, please take a look at my earlier post about this revival story.

As I’ve mentioned before, I lived in Jakarta from 2007 to 2011. During those years, 8618F wasn’t just a means of transportation—it was something that quietly supported me every day. That feeling still hasn’t faded. In the photo below, you can see 8618F as it looked in 2011. Arigato (thank you), 8618F. You were a special companion.

I also have some good news to share. The leading car of 8618F, Unit DeHa 8518, will be preserved at the Museum Kereta Api Ambarawa (Ambarawa Railway Museum) in Central Java. I’m so relieved to know that at least part of the set will live on. And recently, new EMUs have been introduced in the Jakarta area, so there’s always something exciting happening there. I really can’t take my eyes off Indonesian railways.

To be continued…

Set 8618 of the 8500 Series EMU arriving at Gambir Station in Jakarta, Indonesia

(February 3, 2011)

Sacabambaspis: Keio’s New EMU

Set 9701 of Keio’s new 2000 series EMU at Wakabadai Station

I recently joined another event hosted by the Japan Railfan Club—a test ride of Keio’s new commuter train, the 2000 series EMU. Let me share this memorable experience with you today.

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, so please take a look at the photo above. Yes—this is the 2000 series EMU. Quite an impressive face, isn’t it? Japanese railfans affectionately call it “Sacabambaspis.” What an elaborate nickname! Sacabambaspis was an extinct jawless fish that lived in the Ordovician period (from about 488 to 445 million years ago), and is closely related to the modern lamprey. As I’ve mentioned several times before, I’m a fossil collector—a paleo-organism enthusiast—but even I never have come up with such a nickname. Keio accepts this one (see the related link). Hats off to the godfather of this nickname.

By the way, the 2000 series features a special space called “Hidamari Space (Sunny Spot)” for wheelchair and pram users in car No. 5. Please take a look at the photo below. This is the Hidamari Space. The windows here are set lower, so even small children can enjoy the passing scenery while sitting in their prams. This spot is similar to Seibu Railway’s “Partner Zone” on the 40000 series EMU, but Keio’s Hidamari Space is more colorful and much brighter. The locations differ as well. Seibu’s Partner Zone is placed in the first or last car, which is usually less crowded. In contrast, Keio installs Hidamari Space in the middle of the train (Car 5 of a 10-car set), which will naturally be busier. Since there are no seats in this area, I wonder slightly how passengers will feel about this configuration. According to Keio, the location was chosen because many elevators on the Keio Line platforms are placed near the center.

The 2000 series will enter service on January 31. I’m running out of space today, so I’ll save the technical specifications of the 2000 series for a future post. Please look forward to it!

“Hidamari Space (Sunny Spot)” inside the 2000 series EMU

Related links:

・News release on the 2000 series EMU by Keio (in Japanese)

・Official video on the 2000 series EMU by Keio (in Japanese)

・An illustration of Sacabambaspis by Keio (in Japanese, see Page 3)