Keio Liner: 2023 Update

EMU Keio 5000 series, "Mt. TAKAO", arrives at Kitano station

One of the major railway business trends in the Tokyo metropolitan area is the reserved seat trains for commuters. As I repeatedly posted, Japanese workers are very busy. They sometimes need something before getting home as a treat for themselves, but their journey home is hard because urban commuter trains are packed on most of the lines. That's a background to urban-type reserved seat trains appearing. Nine companies currently operate reserved seat trains for commuters in the metropolitan area.

Keio Electric Railway is no exception. Keio began commercial operation of Keio Liner, which is Keio's first reserved seat train, on their Keio and Sagamihara lines in 2018 using the new model, the EMU 5000 series. This model has multi-purpose seats, which the conductor can change from long-seats to cross-seats using a remote-control system. The cross-seat mode is applied when it's operated as Keio Liner train.

What's new with Keio Liner? Keio has increased the number of Keio Liners in operation. For that purpose, Keio currently owns 7 sets of the EMU 5000 series, and operates 11 Keio Liner trains during peak time on weekdays. Moreover, Keio started the reserved seat sightseeing train named "Mt. TAKAO" using the 5000 series on weekends. It's operated between Shinjuku, a subcenter of Tokyo Metropolis and Takao-sanguchi, the gateway station to Mt. Takao. The fare for a seat reservation for Keio Liner and Mt. TAKAO is both 410 yen (2.7 USD). Keio Liner and Mt. TAKAO still have potential for growth.

Side display of the EMU Keio 5000 series, "Mt. TAKAO"

Hansha-tetsu: A New Trend of Rail Fans

EMU E233 series travels on the elevated track just above the Chinese restaurant

When I was a boy, rail fans were not that common. They were talked about behind their backs to be unsociable, nerds, weirdos and not fashionable. That was terrible, but the situation has totally changed these days. According to sociological research, there are 2 million rail fans in Japan. It's 1.6 percent of the total population. They are no longer just weirdos, but are very diverse. There are ride-on rail fans, train spotters, rail photo lovers, model train lovers, ticket collectors, sound rail fans, timetable rail fans, train lunch lovers, train driving simulator lovers and so on. Today, I'm going to show you a new trend, "Hansha-tetsu".

Please look at the top photo. A commuter train travels on an elevated track. That's the EMU E233 series on the JR East Chuo Rapid line. It was shot near Kanda station in downtown Tokyo. The stainless-steel train is beautiful reflecting the sunlight. You can see a black-colored signboard of a Chinese restaurant just below the elevated track. The land use is very efficient, isn't it? Wait a moment! Please look at the overhead wire pole just above the train. They're broken... very dangerous! You can also see a strange phenomenon; the white-colored logo of the "JR" group on the train seems like a flipped image.

Now you get it, don't you? The gimmick is the photo below. You can see the reflection of the train on the windows of the building! "Hansha-tetsu" means a rail fan who loves reflection images of trains. I'm also one of them.

Gimmick of the top photo

Ryutetsu Trains: 2023 Update

Set 5001 of the EMU Ryutetsu 5000 series, "Sakura (cherry)"

I visited the Ryutetsu Nagareyama line for the first time in two years. What's new with this local railway?

To start, let me review the Nagareyama line. It's a short private railway operated by Ryutetsu company in Chiba Prefecture, about 20 kilometers northeast of Tokyo. Connecting Mabashi on the JR East Joban line and Nagareyama terminal, its route length is only 5.7 kilometers. Passengers are commuters and students who go to offices and schools in Tokyo and its surrounding large cities. The track is single and electrified. The gauge size is 1,067 millimeters. The electric system is 1,500 V DC overhead. 2-car trains are operated every 15 to 20 minutes. The EMU 5000 series is the sole model operated on the line. It's the ex-Seibu New 101 series, and moved to Ryutetsu in 2010.

I found that train set 5001 of the 5000 series, namely "Sakura (cherry)", has returned to work. I remember that Sakura was withdrawn from the track due to the expiration of the inspection validity in August 2021. According to the company website, it went back to work in August 2022. In other words, it took one year for the inspection. That must have been tough for the few railway engineers of this small company. Good work for one year! Welcome back Sakura! I also found that set 5004, namely "Wakaba (young leaves)", has changed its body color. It has become deeper green... very beautiful! I like Ryutetsu so much. I can't take my eyes off Ryutetsu!

Set 5004 of the EMU Ryutetsu 5000 series, "Wakaba (young leaves)"

Official information about the Ryutetsu trains (in Japanese):

http://ryutetsu.jp/traingallery.html

Goodbye for Good: The Ueno Zoo Monorail Line

EMU 40 series travels on the Ueno Zoo Monorail line (June, 2012)

On July 21st, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government submitted an abolition notification of the Ueno Zoo Monorail line to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation. Something that I didn't want to happen, happened. As I posted before, the operation of the Ueno Zoo Monorail line had been suspended since October 2019 due to the aging of the rolling stock.

Let me quickly review the Ueno Zoo Monorail line. It was opened in 1957 as the oldest suspension monorail line in Japan. Connecting the East and West gardens, the route length is only 332 meters. A lovely 2-car train was operated by the Transportation Bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Although it looked like a ride in an amusement park, it was official public transportation based on the Railway Business Act.

The major reason for the abolition of the monorail line was the high manufacturing cost of the new train. The specification of the Ueno Zoo Monorail line is very unique; therefore, its rolling stock should be a special order one. To make matters worse, the required number of trains is only one set, 2 units. According to the media, it will cost about 6 million USD. The metropolitan government currently plans the other transportation instead. It will be opened in the fiscal year 2026.

I still remember that I took the Ueno Zoo Monorail line with my classmates on an elementary school trip. That might have marked my starting point as a rail fan. Thank you and goodbye for good... the Ueno Zoo Monorail line.

History of the rollingstock on the Ueno Zoo Monorail line (June, 2012)

Tama Riverside Walking: Part 10, Hachioji

EMU JR East E353 series passes through Asakawa Bridge on the Chuo line

It's already mid-October. The weather has become cooler. It's the best season for a stroll. I resumed walking along Tama River and its tributaries. My destination this time was Asakawa in Hachioji City. As soon as I reached the embankment, I found a double-track railway bridge across the river. That was Asakawa Bridge on the JR East Chuo line. You may remember the bridge of the same name on the JR East Hachiko line, but this bridge is located 950 meters downstream side of the Asakawa Bridge on the Hachiko line. It's confusing, isn't it?

Five minutes later, a white-colored train with a purple-colored stripe passed in front of me at high speed. That was the EMU JR East E353 series, a limited express "Azusa". The E353 series has a special air suspension type tilting system to pass through tight curves keeping at high speed. The maximum operating speed of the E353 series is 130 kilometers per hour. It was very fast and breathtaking! After passing under the bridge, I continued walking upstream. Another five minutes later, an oil transportation train pulled by a blue-colored electric locomotive (EL) passed through the bridge. The EL was the Class EH200, "Blue Thunder", operated by JR Freight. Its maximum speed is 95 kilometers per hour on the steep tracks. Being coupled two units, it has a total of eight 565kW induction motors.

In the end, I couldn't help observing trains, even if I was enjoying riverside walking. That's a rail-fan's instinct, isn't it?

Oil transportation train pulled by the EL JRF Class EH200

The Joban Limited Express: Profusion of Colors

Set K1, "Blue Lake", of the EMU JR East E657 series travels on the Joban line

The JR East Joban line has become more colorful. Two more special-colored trains have started to operate on the line. A total of five special-colored trains were eventually assigned to the line.

JR East and Ibaraki Prefecture are jointly promoting the reginal tourism campaign named Ibaraki Destination Campaign. As a part of this campaign, JR East has been changing the colors of the EMU E657 series, limited express trains. These special colors were taken from the old E653 series, which was popular among local people. The E653 series was retired from the Joban line in 2013 while it was missed by rail fans.

JR East had already launched the special-colored E657 series trains, which have green, pink and yellow-colored bodies. Subsequently, blue and orange-colored trains recently debuted. According to JR East, the official names of the new colors are "blue ocean" and "orange persimmon". The former is set K1; meanwhile, the latter is set K3. The Joban line is filled with a profusion of colors.

Incidentally, the E657 series is the AC-DC dual electric system train on the Joban line, and has been operated as limited express trains named Hitachi and the others since 2012. A total of 19 sets were built by Hitachi and the other manufacturers. You might be wondering why the names of the train and its manufacturer are the same. The gimmick is as follows. "Hitachi" was one of the ex-provinces established in 645. The names of the train and its manufacturer both come from "Hitachi" Province.

Set K3, "Orange Persimmon", of the EMU JR East E657 series

The Train from Niigata

EMU JR East E127 series travels on the Nambu branch line

On September 13th, JR East started the commercial operation of a commuter train, the EMU E127 series, on the Nambu branch line. Following my previous post on August 15th, I'm going to introduce this unique train to you today.

To start, let me briefly review the Nambu branch line and the EMU E127 series. The Nambu branch line is a typical urban local route. Connecting Shitte and Hamakawasaki, the route length is only 4.0 kilometers. The track is single. A two-car train, the EMU 205-1000 series, had been operated on the line since 2002, but it was recently replaced by the E127 series, which was transferred from the Niigata area. It's quite rare that the secondhand train in the countryside was moved to the urban area.

As soon as I got on the E127 series, I fully realized that this train came from the countryside. Each car of the E127 series has only three passenger doors on one side; meanwhile, each car of the typical urban commuter trains has four doors. That's because passengers getting on and off trains in the countryside are not many. Consequently, the "long seat" installed between the passenger doors is very long, just like the name. Consequently, the interior of the E127 series is comfortable and spacious, and feels cozy. One more thing, I found a toilet in the train. It was unavailable because the Nambu branch line is a very short route, but I again realized the E127 series is a train that came from Niigata.

Interior of the EMU E127 series 

Shocking News on the Seibu Lines

EMU Odakyu 8000 series passes through Kitami station on the Odawara line

On September 26th, Seibu Railway made a press release announcing that approximately 100 units of trains will be transferred from Tokyu Railways and Odakyu Electric Railway. That was shocking news not only among rail-fans but also the general public.

Let me review Seibu Railway to start. Seibu is one of the major private railway companies in the metropolitan area. It was established in 1912, and currently owns a total of 176.6-kilometer-long railway network in the northwestern part of Tokyo Metropolis and Saitama Prefecture. "Laview" is famous for Seibu's flagship train on the Ikebukuro line.

Let's head to the main topic. According to media, 60 units of the Tokyu 9000 series and 40 units of the Odakyu 8000 series will be transferred to Seibu starting the fiscal year 2024. It will save not only the manufacturing cost of new trains, but also the maintenance cost for train operation. As you may know, these two models have variable frequency drive electric control systems, which save electricity consumption. In Japan, many small-and-medium-sized railway companies purchase secondhand trains from major railway companies; however, it's very unusual that a major railway company purchases secondhand trains from the other major railway companies. As a rail-fan, I have mixed feelings of happiness and sadness. I'm looking forward to seeing ex-Tokyu and ex-Odakyu trains on the Seibu lines. On the other hand, I'm sad that a major railway company gave up on introducing their own new model, and just buys secondhand trains from their rival companies.

Hang in there, Seibu!

EMU Tokyu 9000 series arrives at Mizonokuchi station on the Den-en-toshi line

Spacia X: Tobu New Flagship Train

EMU Tobu N100 series, "Spacia X", passes through Himemiya station

On July 15th, Tobu Railway launched a new limited express train "Spacia X", the EMU N100 series. I'm going to introduce this new flagship train to you today.

Spacia X is a successor of the first generation "Spacia", namely the EMU 100 series. Spacia was launched in 1990 for a limited express train between Asakusa terminal in Tokyo and the Nikko-Kinugawa sightseeing area. Because of its unique design and high specifications, Spacia became very popular among tourists. 33 years later, Tobu eventually introduced the long-awaited second-generation Spacia, namely Spacia X.

Spacia X is a 6-car train consisting of 4 motorcars and 2 trailers (4M2T). The bodies are made of aluminum alloy and white-colored. The X-shaped window frames on the first and the last car are very unique and beautiful. It's a motif of Kanumakumiko, which is a traditional woodcraft in Kanuma City on the Tobu line. The interior is gorgeous. One train has a suite room, a cafe lounge, compartments, box seats, premium seats and standard seats. Accessible restrooms and large baggage storages are equipped. Regarding the technical specifications, the state of the art VVVF (variable frequency drive) electric control system with full hybrid-SiC elements is adopted. A total of two sets were built by Hitachi Kasado factory. Two more sets will be introduced by the end of the fiscal year 2023.

I shot this new flagship train at Himemiya station, and was fascinated. Its streamlined and slightly blueish white-monotoned bodies were very impressive. Tobu Railway is going to a new stage.

EMU Tobu N100 series, "Spacia X", passes through Shin-Koshigaya station

Official website, Tobu limited express "Spacia X":

https://www.tobu.co.jp/spaciax/en/

The Green City, Sendai: Am I serious?

EMU JR East E5 series passes through gently curved track in Sendai City 

Sorry for jumping from one topic to another, but I would like to describe the memory of my early summer trip to Sendai City a little bit more.

After enjoying the guided tour of the whisky distillery, I returned to the city center and visited an observation deck (AER Observation Terrace) in front of Sendai station. It was my second visit following last year. What jumped into my eyes at the eastern observation deck was the gently curved tracks of the Tohoku Shinkansen. Five minutes later, a very streamlined train, the EMU JR East E5 series, passed through the curve and headed northeast. The E5 series, also known as "Hayabusa (falcon)", is the fastest train in Japan. Its maximum speed is 320 kilometers per hour. The roof of the train was shining in green... very beautiful.

Speaking of "green", Sendai is known as the Green City. Do you believe it? If you look at the top photo, only buildings are densely packed around the observation deck. "The green city, Sendai... am I serious?" Well, greenery is especially abundant in the western side of the city, which has tree-lined streets, green parks, and forests. Please look at the photo below. It's a view of the Tozai line of Sendai Municipal Subway. It's located in the central part of the city, but you can see a green forest along Hirose River. If you look carefully, a large white heron stands in the middle of the river. Sendai is a large city filled with greenery and nature.

Train of Sendai Municipal Subway passes through Hirose River in Sendai City