Advent of Spring on the Green Line

A 6-car train, Set 10081 of the EMU Yokohama Municipal Subway 10000 series

It's the end of March already. Time really flies. I recently visited the Green line of Yokohama Municipal Subway for the first time in three years, and found an advent of spring.

Let me quickly review the Green line. It's the second subway line in Yokohama City, opened in 2008. Connecting Nakayama on the JR East-Yokohama line and Hiyoshi on the Tokyu-Toyoko line, the route length is 13.1 kilometers. The electric system is 1,500 V DC with overhead catenaries. The gauge size is 1,435 millimeters. Linear motor technology is adopted for the train driving system, so, you can see a special box, named "reaction plate", between the two rails.

I got off at Kawawa-cho station on the elevated track section, and found that numerous yellow-colored flowers were blooming beautifully in front of the station. They were canola blossoms lovingly cared for by local people. The yellow-colored flowers were very vivid backed by the blue sky and the trains. Winter has gone and spring is here.

I can't be written off here, as this is a rail-fan's blog. Taking this opportunity, I'd like to show you what the trains on the Green line are now. Please look at the top photo. You can see a 6-car train on the track. As you probably have noticed by now, the EMU 10000 series on the Green line are being changed from 4-car to 6-car trains. Along with this, the platforms have also been stretched at all stations. The Green line is still growing.

The EMU 10000 series passes by a canola field in front of Kawawa-cho station

EMU E8 Series: New Model for Yamagata Shinkansen

Set G2 of the EMU JR East E8 series travels on Yamagata Shinkansen

On March 16th, JR East changed their timetable for the first time in a year. What was new with Japan's largest railway?

The big news was the debut of a new model on Yamagata Shinkansen. Let me quickly review Yamagata Shinkansen to start. It's a branch line of Tohoku Shinkansen, and a kind of "mini-shinkansens". Connecting Fukushima station on Tohoku Shinkansen and Shinjo terminal in Yamagata Prefecture, its line length is 148.6 kilometers. This route was originally constructed as a conventional line with a narrow gauge (1,067 millimeters) track, but the gauge was changed to the shinkansen size (1,435 millimeters) later.

A new model, named the EMU E8 series, is the third generation Yamagata Shinkansen train following the 400 and the E3 series. Being coupled with the E5 series, the E8 series is operated from Tokyo to Fukushima station on Tohoku Shinkansen. The E8 series is then detached, and runs by itself to Shinjo terminal. What are the main differences between the old E3 and the new E8 series? Firstly, its maximum speed was raised from 275 to 300 kilometers per hour on the Tohoku Shinkansen section. Secondly, a full active suspension system is notable. It's a special device to minimize the lateral swinging movement of the train by artificially creating a reverse swinging movement. Different from the E3 series, the full active suspension system is applied to not only the head cars but also the middle cars. Please enjoy photos of the E8 series, which have just been shot.

EMU JR East E8 (left) + E5 (right) series arrives at Tokyo station

Official information about the EMU JR East E8 series (in Japanese):

https://www.jreast.co.jp/sendai/yamagata_e8_debut/

Official information about Yamagata Shinkansen:

https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/routemaps/yamagatashinkansen.html

The Daiyuzan Line: Update

Set 5501 of the EMU Izu-Hakone 5000 series, "Tengu Train" (February, 2024)

Spring is here in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The maximum daytime temperature is nearly 20 degrees Celsius. I visited the Daiyuzan line of Izu-Hakone Railway to find the advent of spring.

I got off at Wadagawara station, and visited a cherry-tree-lined path, named Harukimichi for the first time in five years. It's famous for Harumeki-sakura, which were developed by the local people a quarter of a century ago. The blooming season of Harumeki-sakura is earlier than that of the standard cherry, so, many cherry lovers flock to this path to feel the herald of spring as soon as possible. I'm also one of those people. This time, I could luckily enjoy not only the cherry blossoms but also snow-capped Mt. Fuji far away.

I can't be written off here as this is a rail-fan's blog. Taking this opportunity, I'd like to show you what Set 5501 of the EMU Izu-Hakone Railway 5000 series is now. The 5000 series is basically a blue-colored train, but the body color of Set 5501 was changed to vermillion last year cerebrating the 100th anniversary of the Daiyuzan line. The vermillion is known as the color of Tengu, who is an imaginary goblin living deep in the mountains around the Daiyuzan line. It is said that he has a vermillion-colored face, a long nose and wings on his back. You can see his feather fan on the front of Set 5501. Incidentally, the Daiyuzan line is the 9.6 kilometers-long local line in the southwestern part of Kanagawa Prefecture.

Snow-capped Mt. Fuji and Harumeki-sakura blossoms (March, 2024)

Official information about "Tengu Train" (in Japanese):

https://www.izuhakone.co.jp/sunzudaiyu/sunzudaiyu-news/p000146_d/fil/railway_news_20230904.pdf

Official website, the trains of Izu-Hakone Railway (in Japanese):

https://www.izuhakone.co.jp/izu-group/izu-news/p000631.html

A Small Topic on the Seibu Lines

The seat fabric of the EMU Seibu 20000 series is being temporarily repaired

Generally speaking, Japanese trains have comfortable seats. Fabrics for passenger seats are clean and strong; however, they are not perfect. I recently found that the seat fabric of the Seibu train was being temporarily repaired. Please look at the top photo. The bright blue-colored seat is very beautiful, but the seat surface is covered by a special cloth for temporal repair. The train illustration looks to be "crying"; however, there is a message on the cloth, saying "This seat can be used safely". Passengers will be relieved, but the train illustration is so lovely. Can you sit on the cloth without hesitation? No, I can't. Am I an overthinker?

Joking aside, the train under seat repair is the EMU Seibu 20000 series. It was commissioned in 2000 as a new-generation commuter train to replace the deteriorated 101 series. The design concept is simple and clean. One set is composed of 8 or 10 cars. The motorcars to trailers ratio is 1. The body is made of aluminum with a double skin structure, so, they're light and sturdy. The electric control system is an IGBT-VVVF (variable-frequency drive) with 135kW/h induction motors and regenerative brakes. Needless to say, the 20000 series promotes energy saving.

Let me tell you one last thing. Don't you think that the Seibu 20000 series is like the Tobu 50000 series? It's not surprising because both the Seibu 20000 and the Tobu 50000 series were designed by Hitachi based on the concept of the "Hitachi A-train".

The EMU Seibu 20000 series travels on the Ikebukuro line

Joetsu Shinkansen: New Shuttle’s Neighbor

The Joetsu Shinkansen train is seen from Hanuki station on the New Shuttle line

This is the sequel of my last post. After enjoying the 40th anniversary memorial trains on the New Shuttle line, I shifted my attention to the adjacent track. That's JR East's Joetsu Shinkansen. Let me quickly review the Joetsu Shinkansen to start. It's the main transportation artery between Tokyo Metropolis and Niigata Prefecture. Its operating length is 334 kilometers. The EMU E7 series is the representative model on the Joetsu Shinkansen. Its maximum operating speed is 275 kilometers per hour.

Hanuki station platform on the New Shuttle line is one of the best places to observe the Joetsu (and Hokuriku) Shinkansen trains, because the New Shuttle track and the Shinkansen track are the same height. We can easily shoot the Shinkansen trains, especially southbound ones running with high speed. Trains are operated every 15 minutes on average. For your information, a suitable sunlight condition for photographers is around noon. It's a fairly famous shooting spot among rail-fans.

Another recommended spot is the riverside of Haraichinuma River, 0.5 kilometer southwest of Maruyama station on the New Shuttle line. It's not a famous spot, but I like it. We can observe 3-story tracks there. They are, from top to bottom, the southbound Joetsu Shinkansen track, the northbound Joetsu Shinkansen track and the northbound New Shuttle track. Sitting on the riverside, I could fully enjoy the hurtling Shinkansen train, whose total length is 300.25 meters. Early spring scenery in the suburban area was also my favorite. Spring has sprung in the Tokyo metropolitan area!

Distant view of the EMU JR East E7 series traveling on the Joetsu Shinkansen

Official information about the Joetsu Shinkansen:

https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/routemaps/joetsushinkansen.html

Official information about the JR East E7 series (in Japanese):

https://www.jreast.co.jp/train/shinkan/e7.html

The 40th Anniversary of the New Shuttle

The New Shuttle track has 3 rigid wires for power supply and a guide rail (lower left)

I recently visited the New Shuttle for the first time in two years. What's new with this AGT (Automated Guideway Transit) line?

Let me review the New Shuttle. It's a rubber-tyred automated guideway transit (AGT) system in Saitama Prefecture, about 30 kilometers north of Tokyo. The formal name is the Ina line of Saitama New Urban Transit Company. Connecting Omiya and Uchijuku, its operating length is 12.7 kilometers. The route was opened in 1983 beside the JR East's Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen track. The track is mostly double, but partly single. The power supply is 600V three-phase alternate current. Instead of an overhead catenary, three rigid wires are installed along the track. Unlike the other AGT lines such as the Yurikamome, Nippori-Toneri Liner and Seaside Line, a driver operates each train. It's not a driver-less operation. For your information, the definition of the Automated Guideway Transit is a transportation system that runs on rubber tires by applying guide wheels to the guide rails in the center or side walls of the track. It doesn't necessarily mean driver-less operation. You can see three rigid wires for power supply and a guide rail in the top photo.

In commemoration of the 40th anniversary, all trains of the New Shuttle have been displaying 40th anniversary stickers since last August. We can see illustrations of both the retired model, EMU 1000 series (later modified to the 1010 series), and the latest model, EMU 2020 series, on the sticker. Time really flies. Congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the New Shuttle!

The 40the anniversary sticker of the New Shuttle train

Official website, the New Shuttle (in Japanese): https://www.new-shuttle.jp/

The 2nd Generation SDGs Train: Part 2

The 2nd generation SDGs train, set 3122 of the EMU Tokyu 3020 series

This is the sequel of the 2nd generation SDGs train on the Tokyu lines. In April, 2023, Tokyu Railways launched the 2nd generation SDGs trains on their four routes, namely the Toyoko, Setagaya, Meguro and Den-en-toshi lines. The former two have already been posted, so, I'm going to show you the latter two today.

Let me review the concept of SDGs Trains to start. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all United Nations Member States to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. In accordance with SDGs, Tokyu commissioned the special poster trains named "(the 1st generation) SDGs trains" in 2020. Those trains were substantially powered by renewable energy, but Tokyu's initiative was not limited to the partial use of renewable energy. In 2023, the company then started the use of 100% renewable energy for all trains. In commemoration of this goal achievement, Tokyu commissioned the 2nd generation SDGs trains.

Please look at the photos. The top image shows the new SDGs train for the Meguro and its directly operation lines, set 3122 of the EMU 3020 series. On the other hand, the photo below shows the new SDGs train for the Den-en-toshi and its directly operation lines, set 2150 of the EMU 2020 series. These trains are ornamented with the 17 goal colors of SDGs. The gradation represents co-creation of the goals. These 2nd generation SDGs trains are also vivid and beautiful. Observing trains is really fun.

The 2nd generation SDGs train, set 2150 of the EMU Tokyu 2020 series

Kenty Skyliner: The Prince of Keisei Escorts Passengers

Set AE4 of the EMU Keisei AE series, "Kenty Skyliner"

Railway companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area are in competition to attract passengers. For that purpose, many companies have their own mascot characters, such as Odakyu's "Mokoron" and Sotetsu's "Sounyan", to refine the value of their lines. In addition, several companies use celebrities for their advertising campaigns. For instance, Tokyo Metro, which is a subway operator, has been using a famous actress, Ishihara Satomi, for their TV commercials. On the other hand, Keio Electric Railway recently uses a young emerging actress, Kiyohara Kaya, for their TV ads and digital signages at the stations.

The celebrities contributing to railway companies are not only females. Keisei Electric Railway uses a famous young male idol, Nakajima Kento, for their face of the company. He acts as "the Prince of Keisei", and promotes the airport access train "Skyliner" on the TV commercials. Needless to say, the rival of Skyliner is JR East's "Narita Express". Keisei is operating a special poster train, named "Kenty Skyliner", as well. That's Set AE4 of the EMU Keisei AE series. As you probably have noticed by now, "Kenty" is the nickname of Nakajima "Kento". This train displays a gold-colored "Kenty Skyliner" sticker on the front. Furthermore, large posters of Kenty, who is dressed as the Prince of Keisei, are also displayed on the side bodies. It means that Kenty, the prince of Keisei, escorts passengers in the likeness of princesses. I hope that many passengers, specifically young girls, use Kenty Skyliner to be escorted by the Prince of Keisei.

Side body of "Kenty Skyliner"

Official website, "Kenty Skyliner" (in Japanese):

https://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/jp/kentyskyliner/

Small Topics on the Chuo Rapid LIne

Nursery school children observe the EMU JR East E233 series

It is said that there are 2 million rail-fans in Japan, according to sociological research. It's 1.6 percent of the total population. They 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. This is just out of curiosity, but... "What was the catalyst for them to start enjoying railways?"

I recently found a root of rail-fans. Please look at the top photo. Local nursery school children on the JR East Chuo Rapid line are observing trains accompanied by their teachers. That's one of the important events during strolling. When I pricked up my ears, I could hear children's conversation. "The E233 series is coming." "That's a rapid train bound for Tokyo." Exactly! That's great! Where did you learn that? I am convinced that they are potential rail-fans either way. Their future looks bright.

You may feel like something is missing from this post, so, I'm going to show you one more topic on the Chuo Rapid line. JR East and Ibaraki Prefecture are jointly promoting a regional tourism campaign named Ibaraki Destination Campaign. As a part of this campaign, a train with special plates on the front and back was operated on the Chuo Rapid line from October to December, 2023. After coming across this train, I visited Ibaraki Prefecture, and enjoyed amazing anglerfish hot pot, dried sweet potatoes, fragrant strawberries and rich plum wines. I only talked about foods. Sorry!

Set T25 displays "the Ibaraki Destination Campaign" plate on the front  

Not so much a Strawberry as an Orange

Set 109 of the EMU Tobu 100 series, "Ichigo Spacia"

I'm not a native English speaker, so, writing English compositions is difficult even posting an English blog for many years. The structures of English and Japanese are different. The title of today's post is a specifically difficult phrase for me to use... "Not so much a strawberry as an orange".

In June, 2023, people in Tochigi Prefecture celebrated the 150th anniversary of their prefecture. To commemorate this, Tobu Railway, which has an extensive railway network in Tochigi Prefecture, started to operate a memorial train, named "Ichigo Spacia" (set 109 of the EMU 100 series, “Spacia”) on the Nikko, Kinugawa and Isesaki lines. Strawberry, also known as Ichigo in Japanese, is a local specialty in Tochigi Prefecture. I have a thing for strawberries. My favorite variety is "Tochiaika" produced in Tochigi Prefecture. It's large and sweet. I recently found a beautiful strawberry poster on the side body of an Ichigo Spacia train. That was a promotion of Tochiaika produced in Tochigi Prefecture. Please look at the photo below. It looks delicious!

According to Tobu Railway, the body coloring of the Ichigo Spacia train was designed in accordance with a strawberry; however, I feel that the body stripes are not strawberry-colored. Several rail-fans commented, "Strawberry-colored train images will be able to be obtained, if we shoot it on cloudy days", so, I followed their suggestions. Please look at the top photo. What color do you see it in the image? I see it... "Not so much as a strawberry but an orange". Sorry, let's not say something so rigid.

Strawberry poster on the side body of the Tobu "Ichigo Spacia" train

Official information about the Tobu "Ichigo Spacia" train (in Japanese):

https://www.tobu.co.jp/cms-pdf/releases/20231207172230RF_TR0B9Qvjbg1pKOXe0Ig.pdf