3540F of the EMU Shibayama 3500 series travels on the Keisei-Kanamachi line
Shibayama Railway is the shortest railway line in Japan. Connecting Higashi-Narita and Shibayama-Chiyoda, its operating length is only 2.2 kilometers. The track is single and electrified. The gauge size is 1,435 millimeters. The electric system is 1,500 V DC overhead. This short route was opened in 2002. All trains are directly operated onto the Keisei line to Narita, Ueno and so on.
The function of Shibayama Railway is quite unique. It's a compensation for local people after the completion of New Tokyo International (Narita) Airport. In particular, the local area, namely Shibayama, was isolated by the airport, so, Narita International Airport Company constructed a new railway line to connect Shibayama and the downtown Narita City. The railway track passes through the underground of the airport. It doesn't stand out.
I recently came across Shibayama Railway's 4-car train on the Keisei-Kanamachi line. It was set 3540 of the EMU 3500 series. Set 3540 is Shibayama Railway's only train being operated. It was built by Nippon Sharyo in 1973 as Keisei Electric Railway's commuter train, and then leased to Shibayama Railway in 2013. You can easily identify it by "SR (Shibayama Railway)" logo on the front. Its shining stainless-steel bodies with the classical corrugations are my favorite. Its large frontal windows are also cool even though 48 years have already passed since it debuted.
Set 3540 sometimes appears on the Keisei line for operational reasons. It's homecoming to the country of origin temporarily for set 3540. Welcome home.
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| Emblem of Shibayama Railway (SR) Official website, Shibayama Railway (in Japanese): |