EMU JR West 113 series, "Matcha color", stabds at Kyoto station yard
JR West's Kosei line is a railway route along the west coast of Japan's largest lake, "Biwa-ko". Connecting Yamashina on the Tokaido main line and Ohmi-Shiotsu on the Hokuriku main line, the route length is 74.1 kilometers. The track is double and the electric system is 1,500 V DC overhead. It was constructed as a bypass route between Osaka and the Hokuriku area (Japan Sea side). Most trains are directly operated onto the Tokaido main line and/or the Hokuriku main line.
A local train on the Kosei line is unique and worthy of attention. It's an old EMU, JR West 113 series. Railfans call it the matcha-colored train. Matcha is a kind of tea made by adding hot water to powdered green tea leaves, and rapidly beating it with a bamboo whisk. It's served to guests at the tea ceremony.
The 113 series was launched in 1963 by the Japanese National Railways. A total of 2,977 cars were built by Nippon-sharyo, Kawasaki-sharyo and the others between 1963 and 1983. Although 57 years have already passed since it debuted, 16 sets (64 cars) are still operated on the Kosei line. All trains belong to Kyoto Branch Office of JR West's Suita Railyard.
Technical specification of the 113 series is rather old. It has a classic rheostatic electric control system with DC motors, but it's still operated without serious problems. The 113 series train is very tough. Many railfans believe that it will be operated until the late 2020's.
Side view of KuHa 113-5716 of the EMU JR West 113 series