EMU JR East E233-7000 (left) and Sotetsu 12000 series (right) stand at Shinjuku station
There are 8 major private railway companies including Sagami Railway (Sotetsu) in the metropolitan area, but Sotetsu was the only company that didn't run into downtown Tokyo. Sotetsu's fatal weakness for business was their railway network. They have been hankering after a direct operation into downtown Tokyo. For that purpose, a connecting line (the JR-Sotetsu direct line) was constructed from Nishiya station on the Sotetsu line to the existing JR East line.
On November 30th, 2019, Sotetsu's dream came true. Sotetsu trains started to be operated onto the JR East line. As a result, we can see the dark blue colored Sotetsu train at the giant JR East Shinjuku terminal. Specifically, rail fans are happy to see the Sotetsu and JR East trains stood side by side at Platforms 2 and 3. Needless to say, the Sotetsu train is the EMU 12000 series.
The Sotetsu 12000 series is a 10-car new model for the direct operation onto the JR East line. It has 2,950-millimeter-wide stainless-steel bodies, which are the same as the JR East E233-7000 series. The design of the front mask was taken from a lion's face. This lion is not a real lion, but a legendary lion in Japan. A total of 6 sets, 60 units were built by J-TREC.
Following the direct operation onto the JR line, Sotetsu continues to build another connecting line to the Tokyu line, which will be completed in the second half of the fiscal year 2022. Sotetsu is building a new era.
On November 30th, 2019, Sotetsu's dream came true. Sotetsu trains started to be operated onto the JR East line. As a result, we can see the dark blue colored Sotetsu train at the giant JR East Shinjuku terminal. Specifically, rail fans are happy to see the Sotetsu and JR East trains stood side by side at Platforms 2 and 3. Needless to say, the Sotetsu train is the EMU 12000 series.
The Sotetsu 12000 series is a 10-car new model for the direct operation onto the JR East line. It has 2,950-millimeter-wide stainless-steel bodies, which are the same as the JR East E233-7000 series. The design of the front mask was taken from a lion's face. This lion is not a real lion, but a legendary lion in Japan. A total of 6 sets, 60 units were built by J-TREC.
Following the direct operation onto the JR line, Sotetsu continues to build another connecting line to the Tokyu line, which will be completed in the second half of the fiscal year 2022. Sotetsu is building a new era.
EMU Sotetsu 12000 series leaves JR East Shinjuku station