Saturday 31 January 2015

Ex-Yokohama Line Trains in Indonesia

Test run scene of set H1, the EMU KRL Jabodetabek (ex-JR East Yokohama Line) 205 series
Photo: Faris Fadhli

I have received news from an active Indonesian rail fan again. All sets of the ex-Yokohama Line trains, JR East EMU 205 series, have already come into service in Jakarta, Indonesia. My thanks go to Mr. Faris Fadhli, who kindly sent me the recent photos.

The 205 series is a 1,067 mm gauge and 1,500 V direct current EMU, which was originally launched in Japan in 1985. It has been widely operated on the urban routes in Tokyo. About the 170 units have been moved to Indonesia after their retirement from the Yokohama Line in Japan, as Indonesian railway operator, KRL Jabodetabek (Jakarta Metropolitan Commuter Electric Railway), is pursuing modernization of the railways in the capital city.

The top photo shows a precious test run scene of set number H1 of the 205 series on the Bogor Line. The double stripes on the side bodies have already been changed to the corporate colors of KRL Jabodetabek (red and yellow); however, the stripes on the front still have the original colors of the Yokohama Line (light green and green). This kind of mismatch has a strong appeal to rail-fans, who love rarity.

The second photo shows a scene of the regular operation of set number H14 of the 205 series. My question is about the shooting location. It is probably a newly electrified double track section, installed since I left Jakarta in 2011. Can you tell me a little more about the locality?


Set H14 of the EMU KRL Jabodetabek (ex-JR East Yokohama Line) 205 series in Indonesia
Photo: Faris Fadhli