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| EMU JR East 215 series stands at Takao station (April, 2012) |
Along with the 185 series, one more excellent train was retired from the track synchronizing the new timetable effective from March 13th. It's a double decker train, EMU JR East 215 series.
Businessmen and businesswomen in the Tokyo metropolitan area are very busy. To make matters worse, they have to have a hard time while going to their offices and returning home. It's because the commuter trains in the Tokyo metropolitan area are packed. The 215 series "Shonan Liner" was a healing train for such busy businessmen and businesswomen on the Tokaido main line. By paying an extra fee, they could secure comfortable seats to be relaxed.
The 215 series was launched in 1992 to eliminate congestion in the rush hour. 4 sets, 40 cars in total, were built by Nippon-sharyo and Hitachi. The 215 series had been commissioned as Shonan Liner operated between Tokyo and Odawara on weekdays. On the other hand, the 215 series transformed themselves from commuter to sightseeing trains on weekend. View-Yamanashi was the representative sightseeing train on the Chuo main line using the 215 series. I often used it when I visited Mt. Fuji or other resorts in Yamanashi Prefecture with my family. The view from the upper floor was excellent.
After retirement from the Tokaido main line, the 215 series, Shonan Liner, was replaced by the E257-2000 series, a limited express Shonan. I hope that the new train also becomes a star train on the Tokaido main line.
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| EMU JR East 215 series leaves Nirasaki station (September, 2014) |