The 115th Anniversary of the Yokohama Line

Set H001 of the EMU JR East E233-6000 series travels on the Yokohama line

This is going back a bit, but JR East celebrated the 115th anniversary of the Yokohama line on September, 23rd in 2023. I'm going to introduce this topic today.

To start, let me review the Yokohama line. That's one of the main transportation arteries in the eastern part of Kanagawa Prefecture and the southwestern part of Tokyo Metropolis. It was opened in 1908 to transport silk from the inland sericultural area to Yokohama port. Connecting Hachioji and Higashi-Kanagawa, its route length is 42.6 kilometers. One of the features of this line is its arrangement. The Yokohama line forms part of the outer ring railway in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Its route intersects many lines, namely JR Central's Tokaido Shinkansen, Yokohama Municipal Subway, Keikyu, Tokyu, Sotetsu, Odakyu, Keio and some other JR East lines. The track is double and electrified with 1,500 V direct current. Some of the trains are directly operated onto the Keihin-Tohoku and Negishi line to Ofuna terminal via Yokohama station. An 8-car train, named the EMU E233-6000 series, is a sole model on the line.

Celebrating the 115th anniversary, a train with memorial plates on the front and back has been operating on the Yokohama line since September 25th, 2023. We have heard very little news lately on the Yokohama line, so, I'm happy about this memorial train. According to JR East Yokohama Branch Office, this train will be operated until late March this year. Congratulations on the 115th anniversary of the Yokohama line!

Special plate of "the 115th anniversary of the Yokohama line"

Official information about the 115th anniversary of the Yokohama line (in Japanese):

https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2023/yokohama/20230907_y0%EF%BC%92.pdf

Tokyo Night Walk: Hibiya Moat

EMU JR East E657 series, limited express "Tokiwa", stands at Tokyo station

It's getting warmer in Tokyo. The maximum daytime temperature is about 15 degrees Celsius. It has started to be a good season for a stroll not only in the daytime but also in the evening. I visited the Hibiya moat near Tokyo station after sunset, and enjoyed a night view of the Hibiya area. Please look at the photo below. You can see a beautiful stone wall on the left. It was completed in 1608 as a part of the Edo castle. I was surprised that the stone wall was lit up. This illumination was designed by a female lighting designer, Ishii Motoko, in 2021 in the midst of the COVID-19 calamity. To protect the ecosystem of the moat, the light doesn't shine on the water surface. Thanks to that, visitors can enjoy both the lit-up stone wall and the reflection image of the Hibiya downtown area in the still water. What a fantastic night view it is!

After enjoying the night walk, I returned to Tokyo station, and enjoyed shooting trains for a while. Please look at the top photo. The EMU JR East E657 series, limited express "Tokiwa", stands at the station. Tokiwa is operated between Katsuta on the Joban line and Shinagawa terminal in Tokyo. Its travel distance is 133.7 kilometers. Tokiwa is a convenient train for people in Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures, because it's directly operated to Tokyo central station, which is the starting station of Shinkansen trains and Shinagawa, which is a transfer station to the Tokyo International Airport (Haneda).

Night view of Hibiya Moat

East i-D: Extra Rare Inspection DMU

JR East's inspection DMU, "East i-D", travels on the Musashino line

You may remember that I posted JR East's inspection train for narrow gauge electrified tracks, namely East i-E (EMU E491 series), in 2015. At that time, I promised...

"JR East has an inspection train, called East i-D, for unelectrified tracks as well. It's also a very rare train. I'm going to upload the photograph, if I luckily find it."

Nine years has passed since then. Time really flies. I finally came across East i-D the other day. Please look at the photos. That's East i-D. Its formal name is the DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) KiYa E193 series. East i-D was commissioned in 2002 to replace the old inspection train, DMU KiYa 191 series. Only one set was built by Niigata-tekko. The mission of East i-D is to inspect signals and tracks mainly for unelectrified tracks, but it can inspect the electrified tracks as well, because it has pantographs. The top car, KiKuYa E193-1, has a track inspection system. This car doesn't have a driving engine. The middle car, KiYa E192-1, has pantographs to inspect overhead wires on electrified tracks. The tail car, KiYa E193-1, has a signal inspection system.

JR East does not release the timetable of East i-D, so, it's difficult to take pictures of this extra rare train. Fortunately, I could come across it at Minami-Nagareyama station on the Musashino line. Needless to say, as soon as East i-D came into sight, I took out my camera, and clicked the shutter intently. I barely made it!

From left to right, KiKuYa E193-1, KiYa E192-1 and KiYa E193-1

Toy Story on the Disney Resort Line

Set 103 of the EMU 100 series (Type-C), "Toy Story Liner"

Toy Story is a 1995 American film produced by Pixar Animation Studios, and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. It's known as the first entirely computer-animated feature film. Taking place in a world where toys come to life when humans are not present, the plot of Toy Story focuses on the relationship between an old-fashioned cowboy doll named Woody and his friends of toys.

It's a bit old news but a special poster train, named "Toy Story Liner", was operated on the Disney Resort line from January 23rd, 2023 to January 19th, 2024. It was a collaboration event between the railway operator and JCB, which is the international payment brand based in Japan. The vehicle for Toy Story Liner was Set 103 of the EMU 100 series (Type-C), which originally debuted in 2022. The character of Toy Story such as Sheriff Woody Pride, Jessie and the Aliens are drawn on the side bodies of the train. These characters are eye catching backed by the blue colored waves on the train bodies.

Incidentally, Type-C train is the latest model on the Disney Resort line. It was launched in 2020 to replace the old model, namely EMU 10 series (Type-X). Type-X and Type-C look alike, but the latter has color shades on the body stripe. Specifications of Type-C is not clear, but one set is 84.9 meters long, and can carry 564 passengers. The maximum operating speed is 50 kilometers per hour. A total of 5 sets, 30 cars, were built by Hitachi.

Side view of "Toy Story Liner"

Preserved Passenger Car in Nagareyama City

Passenger car, KiHa31, is preserved in Nagareyama Sports Park

Japan's population has entered into a decreasing phase, but Nagareyama City in Chiba Prefecture is known as a city with a rapidly growing population. Today, we can see the newly constructed residential quarters, shopping malls, schools, childcare facilities, parks and so on in the city. Local people keep their eyes on the development of Nagareyama City, but they don't neglect the preservation of historically valuable items as well. Please look at the top photo. That's an old passenger car, KiHa31, once operated on the Nagareyama Railway (present Ryutetsu). KiHa31 was built in 1933 by Kisha-seizo Company. It was originally a gasoline-fueled car with a Ford's type-BB engine. Regarding the technical specifications, it's a two-axle car with a semi-steel body, 9.2 meters long, and weighs 8,200 kilograms. The engine output is 34.5 kW.

KiHa31 was a precious gasoline-fueled car, but it had to be pulled by a steam locomotive during WWII. Needless to say, it was because of the fuel shortage. Another bit of bad luck for KiHa31 was the electrification of the Nagareyama Railway in 1949. The engine was removed at that timing and it was modified to a trailer pulled by electric cars. After operating for 30 years, it was eventually retired from the track in 1963. KiHa31 is currently preserved in Nagareyama Sports Park. It's maintained in very good condition by a local volunteers' group named the Preservation Society of D5114 and KiHa31. I would like to thank everyone involved in preserving KiHa31 in Nagareyama City.

KiHa31 is a simple two-axle car

When the Season Changes on the Odakyu Line...

Odakyu's mascot train, "Mokoron", approaches Kurihira station on the Tama line

It's still cold in Tokyo. In this season, the mountains block the cold, wet wind blowing from the northwest, which causes heavy snow to fall on the Japan Sea side. Then, only dry air comes to the Pacific side such as Tokyo. It basically stays clear in Tokyo every day, but not so always. Once a low-pressure system approaches the Pacific side, Tokyo also experiences snowfall.

Last week, a strong low-pressure system hit Tokyo. We saw 9 centimeters of snow. It was a hard time for railway employees, as they got sucked into the snow shoveling in the railway facilities. Thanks to their hard work, I could visit my favorite train shooting spot, Kurihira station, on the Odakyu-Tama line. I could shoot Odakyu's mascot train, "Mokoron", backed by the snow-covered world. Please look at the top photo. You can see the large stuffed Mokoron boarding on the train. I had chills, but it was worth the wait.

Two days later, the weather improved. It was a warm and sunny day. I enjoyed taking a walk near Chitose-funabashi station on the Odakyu line. When I passed by a small park, I found an early-blooming cherry tree there. It blossomed earlier than usual this year. Beautiful! Just like last year, a white-eye was coming to the tree. Judging from the belly stripe pattern, it's female. She was keen on sucking the nectar. Its green-colored head was brilliant.

When the season changes on the Odakyu line, we can enjoy both winter and spring scenes.

A white-eye sucks nectar of early-blooming cherry blossoms

52 Seats of Happiness

Set 4009 of the EMU Seibu 4000 series, "52 Seats of Happiness"

After posting "Final Chapter of the Seibu 4000 series", I remembered that another type of the 4000 series is operated on the Seibu lines. That's the Seibu restaurant train, named "52 Seats of Happiness". I'm going to introduce to you this special train today.

52 Seats of Happiness was developed by Seibu Railway in 2016 celebrating their 100th anniversary. That's basically a sightseeing train like JR East's "Irodori" and "Resort Yamadori", but it also functions as a restaurant train. All seats are reserved and passengers can enjoy luxurious meals on the train. As its name suggests, the maximum capacity of the vehicle is only 52 passengers. 52 Seats of Happiness is operated between downtown Tokyo and Seibu-Chichibu on an irregular basis. It takes about two hours and a half each way. It's very slow because passengers need sufficient time for dining. It costs 100 USD per person on average with a meal. The vehicle for 52 Seats of Happiness is set 4009 of the EMU Seibu 4000 series. It's the 4-car train consisting of two passenger coaches, one kitchen car and one multi-purpose car. Technically, it's composed of two control trailers and two motorcars. Its specifications are rather old, because it's a renovated train originally built in 1989. For example, its electric control system is traditional rheostatic.

You may ask, "Have you ever been on 52 Seats of Happiness?" Unfortunately, not yet. It quickly fills up with reservations before I know... I'm always busy and... (so many excuses!).

Top car of "52 Seats of Happiness"

Official information about the Seibu restaurant train, "52 Seats of Happiness" (in Japanese):

https://www.seiburailway.jp/railways/seibu52-shifuku/en/

Winter Scenery on the Gotemba Line

Set V9 of the EMU JR Central 313-3000 series travels on the Gotemba line

It's still cold in Tokyo, but the sunlight is getting stronger. I can't keep fidgeting at home. My next destination was the JR Central Gotemba line.

Let me review the Gotemba line. It's a local route straddling Kanagawa and Shizuoka prefectures. Connecting Kozu and Numazu, its route length is 60.2 kilometers. Both Kozu and Numazu are transfer stations for the Tokaido Main line. In other words, Gotemba line is a bypass route of the Tokaido Main line. The thing is, the Gotemba line was opened in 1889 as a part of the Tokaido Main line, but in 1934, the short cut route was opened. The former Tokaido Main line was remained for the local people after that under the new name of Gotemba line.

I got off at Matsuda station, and enjoyed walking along the foot of Shibusawa Hill. After reaching the bank of Kawaoto River, I enjoyed looking the pellucid stream, wooded hills, blue sky and railway bridge. They were diffidently beautiful, but it's lacking something. Ten minutes later, a train was approaching me. This is the one! It was JR Central's local train, EMU 313-3000 series. Five more minutes later, the other train crossed the river. It was the EMU 313-2600 series. If I remember correctly, the former has cross-seats. On the other hands, the latter has only long- seats. You may ask "So what?" Please don't say things like that.

I enjoyed the winter scenery and trains on the Gotemba line to my heart's content.

Set N2 of the EMU JR Central 313-2600 series travels on the Gotemba line

Deja Vu on the Odakyu Line

EMU Odakyu 70000 series passes through the Second Shobu Tunnel

The Second Shobu Tunnel is the shortest tunnel on the Odakyu line. It's only 60.3 meters long. Almost all the Odakyu trains are longer than 60.3 meters, so, even when the top car passes through the tunnel, the very last car hasn't entered it yet. What makes the story of the Second Shobu Tunnel even more interesting is that this tunnel is located on a gently curved track. As a result, we can take a unique photo in this spot. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Please look at the top photo. You can see the EMU Odakyu 70000 series, which is bisected by the tunnel. Isn't it unique? Isn't it interesting?

I know that nobody likes my bragging, so, I would like to move on to the next topic. When I shot the Odakyu train and the Second Shobu Tunnel, I had a strange feeling. I felt that I've seen this scenery before. Is this deja vu? I wonder what caused it. Three days later, I abruptly remembered it. Evidence is better than debate. Please look at the photo below. It was shot near Meidaimae station on the Keio-Inokashira line. You can see the EMU Keio 1000 series, which is bisected by the bridge of National Route 20. The structure is not a tunnel but a road bridge; however, you can see similar scenery in both photos. Two obtained images are very similar, aren't they?

EMU Keio 1000 series passes through the bridge of National Route 20

Winter Roses on the Arakawa Line

Electric car unit 8804 of the Toei 8800 series and the rose blossoms

It is mid-winter in Japan. In this season, the backbone mountains block the cold and wet wind blowing from the northwest, which causes heavy snow to fall on the Japan Sea side. In contrast, it's clear every day in Tokyo on the Pacific Ocean, because the only dry air jumped over the backbone mountains. The maximum daytime temperature is lower than 10 degrees Celsius in Tokyo; however, I found that the roses were blooming beautifully here and there outside the downtown area. One of the examples is on the Arakawa line, which is operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (Toei).

Let me review the Arakawa line. It's a precious survivor of the tram route in Tokyo. It was once operated as two routes, namely Routes 27 and 32; however, they were merged into one route, the Arakawa Line, in 1974. Connecting Waseda and Minowabashi, its route length is 12.2 kilometers. The track is 1,372 millimeter-size gauge and double. Its electric system is 600 V DC with catenaries.

After looking at the magenta-colored rose blossoms, I decided to shoot both the roses and the magenta-colored tram in the same image. If my memory serves me correctly, there are 7 units of magenta-colored trams on the line, namely unit 8801 to 8805, 8905 and 8906. Five minutes later, the tram, which I was looking for, was approaching me. That's unit 8804 of the electric car 8800 series. Its body color was completely same as those of the roses beside the track (top photo). Hooray!

Electric car Toei 7700 series and the rose blossoms