Following the Tokyu-Toyoko line surface tracks, I'm going to show you the other ex-surface track photographs, which I recently rediscovered on my hard disk. These photos were taken near Chofu station on the Keio line in March, 2012. It was five months before the completion of the underground tracks.
The first photo shows the surface tracks and the construction work of the underground tracks. It was really difficult work, because the underground tracks were constructed just below the surface tracks. The second photo shows the complicated railway tracks next to surface Chofu station. The Keio main line and the Sagamihara line tracks were crossed on the surface. It was a bottleneck on the timetable.
On August 19th, 2012, new tracks were eventually completed. A total of 3.7km surface tracks were moved to the underground. Three stations, namely Chofu, Fuda and Kokuryo stations were also moved to the underground. It was good news as a grade separated crossing of the Keio main line and the Sagamihara lines has made it possible for the trains to be operated smoothly. Another advantage of the underground tracks was the elimination of traffic jams at railway crossings. It has completely disappeared after completion of the construction.
Eight years have already passed since then. The surface stations were dismantled and the surface tracks were removed. They have been changed to parks, pedestrian malls, public facilities and so on. The scenery of Keio line around Chofu station has been totally changed. Time really flies.
The first photo shows the surface tracks and the construction work of the underground tracks. It was really difficult work, because the underground tracks were constructed just below the surface tracks. The second photo shows the complicated railway tracks next to surface Chofu station. The Keio main line and the Sagamihara line tracks were crossed on the surface. It was a bottleneck on the timetable.
On August 19th, 2012, new tracks were eventually completed. A total of 3.7km surface tracks were moved to the underground. Three stations, namely Chofu, Fuda and Kokuryo stations were also moved to the underground. It was good news as a grade separated crossing of the Keio main line and the Sagamihara lines has made it possible for the trains to be operated smoothly. Another advantage of the underground tracks was the elimination of traffic jams at railway crossings. It has completely disappeared after completion of the construction.
Eight years have already passed since then. The surface stations were dismantled and the surface tracks were removed. They have been changed to parks, pedestrian malls, public facilities and so on. The scenery of Keio line around Chofu station has been totally changed. Time really flies.
