Ex-set M14 (4 cars) and M35 (8 cars) of the ex-JR East 205 series in Indonesia
Photo: Faris Fadhli
I have received news from an Indonesian rail fan. My thanks go to Faris Fadhli, who often kindly sends me recent photos.
On September 17, PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) launched what is called the "marchen face" train on their railway network in the Jakarta metropolitan area. What is the "marchen face" train? It is one of a group of the EMU ex-JR East 205 series that operated on the Keiyo and Musashino lines in Japan. As you may know, many ex-205 series trains have been imported from Japan, but the marchen face trains have new and special "faces" on the front. These unique designs were a nod to Tokyo Disneyland, which is located on the Keiyo line. Marchen is a German word meaning fairytale. One of Tokyo Disneyland's themes is fairytales so Japanese rail fans call these unique face trains on the Keiyo line marchen face, named after Tokyo Disneyland.
The marchen face trains were built from 1990 by Kawsaki Heavy Industries, Hitachi, Tokyu Sharyo and Kinki Sharyo. In Japan, they were 8 car trains consisting of 4 motor cars and 4 trailers (4M4T), but in Jakarta, they are operated as 12 car trains to alleviate severe congestion. The first set in Jakarta was ex-set M35 (8 cars) with a half of ex-set M14 (4 cars). I like the new red and yellow Indonesian coloring design, as it suits these "smiling faces."
I wish the marchen trains well for their new life in Jakarta.
On September 17, PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) launched what is called the "marchen face" train on their railway network in the Jakarta metropolitan area. What is the "marchen face" train? It is one of a group of the EMU ex-JR East 205 series that operated on the Keiyo and Musashino lines in Japan. As you may know, many ex-205 series trains have been imported from Japan, but the marchen face trains have new and special "faces" on the front. These unique designs were a nod to Tokyo Disneyland, which is located on the Keiyo line. Marchen is a German word meaning fairytale. One of Tokyo Disneyland's themes is fairytales so Japanese rail fans call these unique face trains on the Keiyo line marchen face, named after Tokyo Disneyland.
The marchen face trains were built from 1990 by Kawsaki Heavy Industries, Hitachi, Tokyu Sharyo and Kinki Sharyo. In Japan, they were 8 car trains consisting of 4 motor cars and 4 trailers (4M4T), but in Jakarta, they are operated as 12 car trains to alleviate severe congestion. The first set in Jakarta was ex-set M35 (8 cars) with a half of ex-set M14 (4 cars). I like the new red and yellow Indonesian coloring design, as it suits these "smiling faces."
I wish the marchen trains well for their new life in Jakarta.
Ex-set M64 of the ex-JR East 205 series stands at Pondok Cina station, Indonesia
Photo: Faris Fadhli