On December 1st, 2022, Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit, Inc. (TWR) celebrated the 20th anniversary of the whole line opening on the Rinkai line. In commemoration of the anniversary, the company held several events.
Let me quickly review the TWR-Rinkai line. It was originally planned and partly constructed as a freight line by the Japanese National Railways (JNR). After privatization of JNR, the route was replanned as a passenger line, and fully opened in 2002 under the newly established company, namely TWR. Connecting Oosaki on the JR East Yamanote line and Shin-Kiba, a transfer station to the JR East Keiyo and the Tokyo Metro-Yurakucho lines, the route length is 12.2 kilometers. The trains on the Rinkai line are directly operated onto the JR East Saikyo and the other lines.
Now, let's get down to the main topic. I recently found that the 20th anniversary memorial plate is displayed on the train front. It's set Z1 of the EMU 70-000 series. "Rinkaru", who is the mascot of the Rinkai line, is designed on the plate. According to TWR, Rinkaru is a dolphin boy, who appeared in Tokyo Bay in 2007. He always wears a railway cap, which was gifted by the stationmaster of Tokyo Teleport station, and likes candies and popcorn. His nickname, Rinkaru, was sought from the public. Rinkaru is always a boy, and said to be NOT getting to grow old. That scenario is a bit forced, isn't it?
Congratulations on the 20th anniversary of the Rinkai line!
