EMU JR East 209-1000 series arrives at Abiko station on the Joban line
On September 1st, the Workers' Union of the JR East Hachioji Branch Office, whose members are mainly crew of the Chuo line trains, announced that the EMU 209-1000 series on the Joban line will soon be transferred to the Chuo line. Then, on September 5th, JR East Company also announced that the final operation of the 209-1000 series on the Joban line will be conducted on October 13th this year.
As you may know, the commuter train model on the Chuo line is only the EMU E233 series. It must be enough for JR East as things are. Why does the 209-1000 series have to be transferred from the Joban to the Chuo line now?
As you may know, the commuter train model on the Chuo line is only the EMU E233 series. It must be enough for JR East as things are. Why does the 209-1000 series have to be transferred from the Joban to the Chuo line now?
The gimmick is as follows. JR East currently plans to renovate and connect additional cars for the existing Chuo line trains. For instance, toilets will be newly equipped. The Green Cars (the first class cars) will be added to test for improvement in the quality of services. During the above work period, trains on the Chuo line will be shorthanded, so that the 209-1000 series will be temporarily invited from the Joban line.
There are only two sets of the EMU 209-1000 series operated on the Joban line. It is impossible to be directly operated onto the Odakyu line due to its technical specifications. In other words, the 209-1000 series is a burden on the Joban line at the moment.
I hope for success of the 209-1000 series on the Chuo line... its new post.
EMU JR East 209-1000 series stands at Abiko station on the Joban line
Official information about the EMU JR East 209 series (in Japanese):