Sounyan: 10 Years of Service

Set 11001 of the EMU Sotetsu 11000 series, "the10th anniversary of Sounyan" 

After posting about "Mokoron", Odakyu's new mascot character, I remembered that "Sounyan" has been working for 10 years at Sagami Railway (Sotetsu).

What's Sounyan? He(?) is Sotetsu's mascot character. According to Sotetsu's website, Sounyan is a new species of cat, born on March 10th on the Sotetsu line. He joined Sotetsu in 2014, and has been in charge of public relations. He is a curious cat, and loves to be around people. He is good at looking for something new or fun. It's the same as Odakyu's Mokoron. His hobby is taking photos and eating around. Me too. He has something that has been bothering him. People often think he is a raccoon dog in spite of being a cat. What an elaborate profile it is! Sounyan, congratulations on your 10th anniversary of devotional work!

I can't be written off here as this is a trainspotter's blog. Taking this opportunity, I'm going to show you Sotetsu's new Sounyan poster train. In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Sounyan's service, Sotetsu launched a new Sounyan poster train on March 27th this year using set 11001 of the EMU 11000 series. The 11000 series is Sotetsu's commuter train which debuted in 2009 to replace the deteriorated 5000 and 7000 series. A total of 5 sets, 50 units, were built by Tokyu Sharyo and JR East Niitsu Factory. To reduce the manufacturing costs, it has basically a common design and the technical specifications with JR East's EMU E233 series on the Chuo Rapid line.

Front view of "the10th anniversary of Sounyan" poster train

Official information about "the 10th anniversary of Sounyan" poster train (in Japanese):

https://cdn.sotetsu.co.jp/media/2023/pressrelease/pdf/r23-45-d4y.pdf

Timetable of "the 10th anniversary" of the Sounyan poster train (in Japanese):

https://www.sotetsu.co.jp/train/services/sounyan-train/

Preserved Odakyu Train at Tsujido Seaside Park

Unit Odakyu KuHa 2658 is preserved in Tsujido Seaside Park in Fujisawa City

Following the latest poster train on the Odakyu line, I'm going to show you an old Odakyu train, unit KuHa 2658 of the EMU 2600 series, preserved at Tsujido Seaside Park in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

The 2600 series was Odakyu's commuter train. It debuted in 1964 to enhance the transportation capacity. For that purpose, the body of the 2600 series grew in size. One car has 20-meters-long and 2.9-meters-wide steel body, which is the same as the present 8000 series. A total of 132 units were built by Tokyu Sharyo, Nippon Sharyo and Kawasaki Sharyo. Regarding the technical specifications, one set was composed of 5, 6 or 8 cars. Each set had 3 to 6 motorcars. The electric control system was rheostatic with field-weakening control. After operating for 40 years, it was retired from the track in 2004. One of the front cars, namely unit KuHa 2658, was transferred to Tsujido Seaside Park. I would like to thank everyone involved in preserving unit KuHa 2658, but I'm slightly sad, as it's in a poor state of preservation. I think that the sea breeze might be a bad influence on the steel body of KuHa 2658.

After observing unit KuHa 2658, I visited the ocean beach in front of the park. It was late afternoon. I fully enjoyed the seaside walking. Mt. Fuji was veiled in haze, but it was so refreshing when I was just blown by the sea breeze. There're only a few days left of this year.

Beach of the Shonan Coast in front of Tsujido Seaside Park

Mokoron: Mascot Character of the Odakyu Line

Mokoron poster train, set 5055 of the EMU Odakyu 5000 series

Japan's population has entered into a decreasing phase. Railway companies can't keep their arms crossed in this situation. They are in competition to attract passengers, and have to refine the value of their lines. Otherwise, the residents will move to the popular areas on other companies' lines. The railway mascot character is one of the solutions to refine the brand value of the railway line. For example, Sotetsu has Sounyan, who is a cat employee in charge of public relations. Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit has Rinkaru, who is a dolphin passenger of the Rinkai line. The Transportation Bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has Toaran, who has a pantograph on the head. Yokohama Municipal Subway has Hamarin, who is a wheel of the subway train.

How is Odakyu Electric Railway going? Odakyu also can't afford to lose it! On October 7th, the company unveiled their new mascot character, Mokoron. He (or she) is a blue-colored rabbit to assist in child-rearing on the Odakyu line. He (or she) likes riding trains, and always looks for something fun. Odakyu recently commissioned the Mokoron poster train using set 5055 of the EMU 5000 series in commemoration of the debut of Mokoron. You can see an illustration of Mokoron on the front of the train. Mokoron is cute, and soon became hugely popular among children on the Odakyu line. I'm also one of his (or her) fans, and specifically fond of the large stuffed Mokoron boarding on the train. Look into the driver's cab.

Front view of the Mokoron poster train

Official information about Mokoron (in Japanese):

https://www.odakyu.jp/oyako/mocoron/

Official information about the Mokoron poster train (in Japanese):

https://www.odakyu.jp/oyako/topic/11408/

Steam Locomotive Preserved on University Campus

Unit 2109 of the steam locomotive Class 2100 

Do you remember that I introduced the Museum of Industrial Technology, Nippon Institute of Technology, last month. One month has already passed, but I would like to show you one more exhibit of this unique museum on campus.

The Class 2100 is one of the historical steam locomotives built in the late 19th century. It was designed by a British engineer, Richard Francis Trevithick, who was employed by the Japanese Government in order to fuel the process of Japan's modernization. A total of 17 units were then built by Dubs and Company in the United Kingdom. Unit 2109 belongs to the second batch of the Class 2100 imported by Nippon Railway Company (later Japanese Government Railways) in 1891. After operating on the Japanese Government Railways, Unit 2109 was transferred to Seino Railway, Ooigawa Railway, and retired from the track in 1970. The Museum of Industrial Technology took it over in 1993, and it has been preserved in working conditions.

Regarding the technical specifications, the Class 2100 is a 0-6-2 type (Whyte notation) tank engine, 10.439 meters long, and weighs 39,500 kilograms. The maximum speed is 65 kilometers per hour. Its output is 294kW. The Class 2100 was a high-powered locomotive for that time, so, operated on the steep tracks as both passenger and freight trains. Unit 2109 was designated a registered tangible cultural property by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan in 2008. I would like to thank everyone involved in preserving Unit 2109.

Back side of Unit 2109

Keisei Skyliner AE Series: Over 45 Million Passengers!

EMU Keisei AE series, Skyliner, displays a gold-colored commemoration sticker

On October 12th, Keisei Electric Railway announced that the passengers of the third generation Skyliner exceeded 45 million on that day. Keisei held a commemoration ceremony at Narita Airport Terminal 1 station. The 45 millionth passenger received a bouquet and a commemorative gift.

Skyliner is the airport access train. It's operated between Ueno, a subcenter of Tokyo, and Narita Airport Terminal 1, which is the second international airport in the metropolitan area. The EMU Keisei AE series is the third-generation vehicle for Skyliner train. It was launched in 2010 to replace the old model, the AE100 series. This limited express train is able to travel with a 160 kilometers per hour maximum speed, which is the fastest in Japan except the Shinkansen vehicles. The AE series is characterized by the crow-shaped black faces. It was designed by a famous fashion designer, Yamamoto Kansai. The interior of Skyliner is luxurious. For example, it has gorgeous reclining seats with wide seat pitches and wide luggage spaces. The AE series won the 2011 Blue Ribbon Prize by Japan Railfan Club as the best train that debuted in 2010.

One set of the AE series, namely set AE7, currently displays a gold-colored commemoration sticker on the front of the train. It proudly says "Thanks, 45 million passengers". There had been less passengers on the Skyliner train in the past few years due to the COVID-19 calamity, but the number of passengers has recently returned to pre-COVID times. Congratulations on the 45 million passengers!

Set AE7 of the EMU Keisei AE series passes through Shin-Mikawashima station

Official information about Keisei Skyliner:

https://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/skyliner/index.php

Official information about the 45 million passengers of the EMU Keisei AE series (in Japanese):

https://www.keisei.co.jp/cms/files/keisei/MASTER/0110/5G9CskV0.pdf

Autumn Leaves at Mt. Takao

Work train, Keio 900 series, travels on the Keio line

It's mid-December already. Time really flies. Before introducing the topics of the year end, I'm going to show you autumn scenery in the metropolitan area.

Mt. Takao is a popular sightseeing area near downtown Tokyo. It takes less than two hours from Shinjuku sub-center to the summit of the mountain at 599 meters above sea level. Mt. Takao was granted the highest rank of three stars in the Michelin Voyager Pratique issued in 2007. This mountain is also known as the autumn leaves spot. The best season is late November. To enjoy the best view, you should climb up the mountain, but please don't worry. You can take the cable railway, namely Takao Tozan Railway, and arrive easily at Yakuo-in temple near the summit. When I visited there, the maple leaves had just started turning red. It went well with the halls.

To get to the gateway of this splendid autumn leaves area, I took the Keio line, and got off at Takao-sanguchi station. Taking this opportunity, I'm showing a work train named the 900 series on the line. The 900 series is commissioned as an inspection car for track and catenary maintenance. Furthermore, it's also used as a snow-removing train and an open freight car to transport rails. I have posted the photo of the 900 series before, but this picture is much better. As you know, Keio doesn't release timetables of the work train, so whether I can shoot the 900 series or not depends on my luck.

Autumn leaves of Yakuo-in temple near Takao-sanguchi station on the Keio line

The 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Hachiko: Part 2

Set 08 of the JR East E235 series displays "Hachiko" plate

Following Tokyu Railways, JR East and Keio are also operating trains celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Hachiko. These two companies are displaying special memorial plates on the front of their trains.

As I posted before, Hachiko was a male dog born in 1923. He was adopted by a university professor, Ueno Hidesaburo, and lived near Shibuya station in Tokyo. Ueno and Hachiko had a close bond with each other. Every evening, Hachiko went to Shibuya station waiting for Ueno to come back. Ueno abruptly died in 1925, but even after Ueno died, Hachiko continued waiting for him every day at the station exit for a decade. Local people were moved by the faithful dog, and erected the statue of Hachiko. Today, Hachiko statue is a famous meeting spot among people visiting Shibuya.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Hachiko, JR East is displaying a black-colored special plate on the front of set 08 of the EMU 235 series on the Yamanote line. The Yamanote line is the most famous commuter line in Tokyo. This busy line is looped through several downtown areas including Shibuya. On the other hand, Keio is displaying an orange-colored plate on the front of set 1734 of the EMU 1000 series on the Inokashira line. The Inokashira line is a 12.7 kilometers-long commuter route penetrating a residential area in the western part of Tokyo Metropolis starting from Shibuya terminal.

Shibuya is hot on Hachiko right now.

Set 1734 of the Keio 1000 series displays "Hachiko" plate

"Mikan-densha" on the Matsuyama City Lines

Electric cars, Iyotetsu unit 2005 (left) and 51 (right)

(Photo: Nicolai Okkels)

I would prefer to keep going with the topic of Iyo Railway in Ehime Prefecture. My thanks again go to Nicolai Okkels, who kindly sent me the recent photographs.

The Matsuyama City lines of Iyo Railway (Iyotetsu) are filled with the orange-colored tramcars. I didn't get to see a sight like this when I visited Matsuyama City in 2014. As I explained two posts ago, Iyotetsu unified their trains and tramcars in orange-colored bodies in 2015, because Ehime Prefecture is well known for oranges. Among these, "Mikan-densha (Orange train)" is a unique vehicle. Please look at the top photo. You can see the Mikan-densha, unit MoHa 51 of the MoHa 50 series, on the right side of the image. The photo below is the interior of unit MoHa 51. It's filled with posters of the local oranges. The straps are decorated with orange models. I wouldn't be surprised if they had a refreshing citrus aroma. They make me hungry. This interior is provided by Ehime Headquarters of the National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations (Zen-noh).

Incidentally, the MoHa 50 series was launched in 1951. A total of 28 units were built by Naniwa Koki and Teikoku Sharyo. The electric car unit 51 is the top number car, and belongs to the first manufactured group of the MoHa 50 series. The rounded high roof with a large single front light is nostalgic, and my favorite. "Mikan-densha", unit 51, has a big impact on the local people and tourists to Ehime Prefecture.

Interior of the electric car, Iyotetsu unit 51, Mikan-densha (Orange train)

(Photo: Nicolai Okkels)

Official information about "Mikan-densha" by Iyotetsu (in Japanese):

https://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/kankou/rail.html

Official information about "Mikan-densha" by Zen-noh (in Japanese):

https://www.zennoh-weekly.jp/wp/article/19818

Iyotetsu: 2023 Update, Part 2

Unit 5012 of the electric car, Iyotetsu MoHa 5000 series

(Photo: Nicolai Okkels)

Let me continue from where I left off my last post. I'm going to introduce the latest model on the Iyotetsu Matsuyama City lines. My thanks again go to Nicolai Okkels, who kindly sent me the photographs.

To start, let me quickly review the Matsuyama City lines. It's a tramline network consisting of 6 routes. The total operating length is 9.6 kilometers. The track is double, partly single. The gauge size is 1,067 millimeters. The electric system is 600 V DC with overhead lines.

The electric car MoHa 5000 series is Iyotetsu's second low-floor tramcar model following the MoHa 2100 series. It was launched in 2017. A total of 12 units, named MoHa 5001 to 5012, were built by Alna Sharyo during the past 6 years. The company plans to introduce 4 more units by the Fiscal Year 2024. Just like the MoHa 2100 series, the MoHa 5000 series is frequently called "Little Dancer S". This nickname derived from the "dancing" image of the vehicle and the "little" size. "S" stands for short, as it is only about 12 meters long. It can accommodate 60 passengers, which is 13 more than the riding capacity of the MoHa 2100 series. One of the pleasant services for passengers is free Wi-Fi. Another feature of the interior is digital billboard advertising. It means that there aren't any advertisements hanging from the ceiling in the train. Regarding the technical specifications, the electric control system is an IGBT-VVVF (insulated gate bipolar transistor-variable frequency drive) inverter with two 60kW induction motors.

Unit 5008 of the electric car, Iyotetsu MoHa 5000 series

(Photo: Nicolai Okkels)

Official information, the Iyotetsu MoHa 5000 series (in Japanese):

https://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/information/LRT/

Iyotetsu: 2023 Update

Set 612 of the EMU Iyotetsu 610 series travels on the Takahama line

(Photo: Nicolai Okkels)

I've received interesting pictures from a Danish rail-fan. He recently traveled the west-side of Japan, and shot many trains. I'm going to show you his masterpieces little by little. My thanks go to Nicolai Okkels, who kindly sent me these photographs.

The top photo is a Iyotetsu train, the EMU 610 series, traveling on the Takahama line. Iyo Railway, also known as Iyotetsu, is a private railway company in Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku Island. This local company owns three railway lines and one tramline network. The total operating length is 43.5 kilometers. When I visited Iyotetsu in 2014, the trains and tramcars had various colored bodies, but the company unified in orange-colored bodies in 2015, because Ehime Prefecture is well known for oranges. This body color is similar to that of the former Chuo line train in Tokyo, isn't it? I love it. Incidentally, the 610 series is Iyotetsu's direct current commuter train for both 600V and 750V tracks. It was launched in 1995 to replace the old model, the EMU 600 series. A total of 2 sets, 4 units, were built by Alna Koki.

The second photo is a must-see spot for rail fans in Matsuyama City. You can see a level intersection of a railway and a tram line. The northbound train, EMU 610 series, is passing through the intersection; meanwhile, the streetcar, 2100 series, is waiting for the passing train. He knows well about the picturesque railway spot in Japan. I was impressed with him.

To be continued...

A level intersection of a railway and a tramline in Matsuyama City

(Photo: Nicolai Okkels)

Iyotetsu's official website: https://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/bus/global/en/

The Old Train is Back

Set 8111 of the EMU Tobu 8000 series travels on the Noda line

On October 11th, many rail fans were amazed by a news from Tobu Railway. "An old train, set 8111 (hereafter 8111F) of the EMU 8000 series, will be coming back to the track soon."

Let me review the history of 8111F. It's a 6-car train and the original 4 cars were built by Nippon Sharyo in 1963. After operating for 48 years, it was once retired from the track in 2011, and preserved in working conditions. At the same time, the owner of 8111F was moved from Tobu Railway to Tobu Museum. From 2011 to 2020, this preserved train was sometimes operated as a special train. For example, I saw it at Shimo-Itabashi station, when it was operated as a special train celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Tojo line; however, since 2020, we had never seen 8111F on the lines.

Actually, 8111F was alive! It was moved from the Tojo to the Noda line (Urban Park line), and started to be operated as a commuter train from October 31st in 2023. If 8111F were human, he (or she) would be a 60-year-old worker. He once retired at 48, but came back to his work at 60. Furthermore, he is working full time. That's amazing! Currently, many rail fans flock to the Noda line to shoot and ride this precious train. I was also one of them. When I was waiting for 8111F beside the track, many local people (non-rail fans) asked me, "Is any special train coming?" They showed deep interest in this precious train.

Set 8111 stands at Funabashi station