Set 824 of the EMU Keikyu 800 series (December, 2017)
It is mid-winter in Japan. The maximum daytime temperature is around 10 degrees Celsius in Tokyo. Although it is very cold, I tried to find an advent of spring in the suburban area. My destination was Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture. I visited Nagai-uminote Park near Misaki-guchi station on the Keikyu line. There was a fully blooming vast canola field. Its yellow flowers were very vivid backed by the blue sky and snow-capped Mt. Fuji.
On my way back home, I came across an old EMU 800 series. The 800 series is the longest serving active model on the Keikyu line. It was launched in 1978 for speeding up of local (all-stations) trains. A total of 27 sets, 132 units were built by Tokyu Sharyo and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Currently, 4 sets, 24 units are still being operated on the track. I show you a photo of set 824, which retired last year.
On May 29th, 2018, Keikyu made a press release announcing that additional 42 units of the new EMU 1000 series will be commissioned by March 2019. It suggests that the 800 series will be retired soon. The problem of the EMU 800 series is its passenger doors. The 800 series has 8 doors per unit; meanwhile, Keikyu's other models have 6 doors per unit. It means that the 800 series places obstacle for installation of automatic platform gates to prevent passengers from falling off the platform edge.
Sayonara (goodbye) and arigato (thank you) to the 800 series. I will never forget you through the years.
On my way back home, I came across an old EMU 800 series. The 800 series is the longest serving active model on the Keikyu line. It was launched in 1978 for speeding up of local (all-stations) trains. A total of 27 sets, 132 units were built by Tokyu Sharyo and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Currently, 4 sets, 24 units are still being operated on the track. I show you a photo of set 824, which retired last year.
On May 29th, 2018, Keikyu made a press release announcing that additional 42 units of the new EMU 1000 series will be commissioned by March 2019. It suggests that the 800 series will be retired soon. The problem of the EMU 800 series is its passenger doors. The 800 series has 8 doors per unit; meanwhile, Keikyu's other models have 6 doors per unit. It means that the 800 series places obstacle for installation of automatic platform gates to prevent passengers from falling off the platform edge.
Sayonara (goodbye) and arigato (thank you) to the 800 series. I will never forget you through the years.
Canola field near Misaki-guchi station on the Keikyu line