2024 Sakura Season on the Keihin-Tohoku-Negishi Line

EMU JR East E233-1000 series comes out from the 2nd Takenomaru Tunnel

Subsequent to the Odakyu line, I'm continuing to show you this year's sakura (cherry) blossoms in the metropolitan area.

Yokohama is located about 20 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, and is the prefectural capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture. It's the second largest city in Japan in terms of population after Tokyo. Just like Tokyo, there are many sakura viewing spots such as Sankei-en. Today, please let me introduce you a park located in the southern part the city.

Negishi Forest Park is a large public park on a hilly terrain. It was originally opened as Japan's first Western-style horse racing course in 1866. Unfortunately, it was closed in 1943 due to WWII, but opened again in 1977 as a public park. When I visited the other day, a gentle hill was fully covered by the light pink-colored sakura blossoms. It showed a vivid contrast with the blue sky and the green grass. Fantastic!

To get to this cherry blossoms' hill, the nearest station is Yamate on the JR East Keihin-Tohoku-Negishi line. Yamate means a place that's close to mountains. As its name suggests, Yamate station is situated in a valley within a mountainous area. There are tunnels in the vicinity of the station that cannot be imagined within the urban area. On the way back home, I enjoyed shooting trains, which were coming out from the 2nd Takenomaru tunnel, for a while. As you know, the train on the Keihin-Tohoku-Negishi line is the blue colored train, named the EMU E233-1000 series.

Sakura (cherry) trees in full bloom in Negishi Forest Park near Yamate station

2024 Sakura Season on the Odakyu Line

EMU Odakyu 70000 series, "GSE", passes by sakura trees in full bloom

This year's sakura (cherry blossom) season has long since passed in the metropolitan area, but I continue posting this topic for the time being.

A wide variety of sakuras are seen on the Odakyu lines ranging from famous spots such as Senbonzakura to nameless trees in my neighborhood. This year, I visited Zama City in Kanagawa Prefecture, about 50 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. I got off at Sobudaimae station on the Odakyu-Odawara line, and headed southwestward. Ten minutes later, I found that old sakura trees in full bloom formed a line on both sides of the track. Spring was in full swing!

Standing at the end of the overpass, I could observe many kinds of trains passing by sakura trees. One of the gains was a vermillion-colored train, the EMU 70000 series, also known as Romance Car "GSE (Graceful Super Express)". Actually, that was the first time for me to observe the roof of GSE. I found that the air-conditioners are beautifully integrated with the roofs. There are three air-conditioners on the head car, which look like a part of the roof. One of those air-conditioners is used for the driver's room, which is located on the second floor. GSE is generous to drivers as well. On the other hand, two separate air-conditioners are seen on the edges of the middle cars. It looks good as the roofs are neat and tidy. It was unexpected to find the train roof like this. Trainspotting is indeed interesting, isn't it?

An old sakura tree in full bloom and the EMU Odakyu 3000 series

Serving Quadruple Purposes at One Railway Crossing

Container train pulled by the electric locomotive Class JR Freight EH500, "Kintaro" 

This is the sequel of my trip to Fukushima City last month. I would like to show you my favorite spot in the city.

Yashikishita Railway Crossing is a famous train viewing spot among rail-fans. We can observe four kinds of trains there. I didn't look up the train schedule on purpose, and waited for trains with excitement. Ten minutes later, a red-colored locomotive jumped into my eyes. That was JR Freight's electric locomotive Class EH 500. Cool! The EH500, also known as Kintaro, was launched in 1997. It's an AC (20,000V, 50 and 60Hz) - DC (1,500V) triple mode locomotive. Being coupled in two units, the UIC indication of a wheel arrangement is (Bo-Bo)+(Bo-Bo). It has eight 565kW induction motors with a variable frequency drive control system. Pulling cargo container wagons, its maximum speed is 110 kilometers per hour. Five minutes later, a green colored train approached me. That was JR East's EMU 701 series. Dazzling! The 701 series is a standard commuter train in the Tohoku area. It was commissioned in 1993. Different from the trains in Tokyo, the 701 series is an AC train. The coloring of the 701 series varies by areas. In the Fukushima area, it has green, red and white-colored stripes.

I'm running short of space in this post. You may ask, "What are the two other trains passing through this railway crossing?" Please don't worry! I've already introduced them in my previous posts. They're the Fukushima Kotsu and the Abukuma Express trains.

EMU JR East 701 series approaches Yashikishita Railway Crossing

The 20th Anniversary of the Minatomirai Line

Set Y511 of the EMU Minatomirai 500 series, the 20th anniversary poster train

On February 1st this year, Yokohama Minatomirai Company celebrated the 20th anniversary of their Minatomirai line. In commemoration, many events were held by the company.

Let me review the Minatomirai line. It's a subway route in Yokohama City, about 20 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Connecting Yokohama and Motomachi-Chukagai (Motomachi-Chinatown), the total length is 4.1 kilometers. It was opened in 2004 as an access route to the urban development area, Minatomirai 21. The track is double and electrified. The electric system is 1,500 V DC with overhead catenaries. All the trains are directly operated onto the Tokyu-Toyoko line.

The 20th anniversary poster train, Set 11 of the EMU Y500 series, is a fun event for rail-fans. We can see the rounded celebratory plate on the front. Moreover, there are stickers of the Minatomirai line's mascot character named "Em-em-san" on the side bodies. According to the company's website, Em-em-san is a seabird that attracts happiness. He (or she) was born in the port of Yokohama. He (or she) is very kind, and fond of walking and eating around. Do you want to be his (or her) friend? I accept this approachable profile, as I'm also fond of walking and eating around.

Joking aside, taking pictures of trains on the Minatomirai line is not easy, but Shin-Takashima station is the only suitable spot. There are no pillars between our position and the subway train, so, we can shoot the whole train from the opposite platform. Congratulations on the 20th anniversary, Minatomirai Railway!

Minatomirai line's mascot character, "Em-em-san"

Official information about the 20th anniversary poster train (in Japanese):

https://www.mm21railway.co.jp/info/news/2024/01/20-4.html

Official information about "Em-em-san" (in Japanese):

https://www.mm21railway.co.jp/mmsan/

Advent of Spring on the Keisei Line

EMU Keisei 3000 series passes through a vast tulip field near Keisei-Usui station

I'm continuing railway mini-travels to find the advent of spring. My next destination was a vast tulip field located in Sakura City of Chiba Prefecture, about 60 kilometers east of Tokyo.

I got off at Keisei-Usui station on the Keisei main line, and headed to the bank of Kashima River. After strolling for about 30 minutes, a windmill jumped into my eyes and in time, I could see the whole tulip field. Where am I? Is this the Netherlands? Joking aside, I fully enjoyed this colorful tulip field for a while. The even more good news was that I could shoot the tulip field backed by Keisei trains, because the tulip field was located near the Keisei line track. An 8-cars train, the EMU Keisei 3000 series, was passing through the numerous colorful tulips. They are red, yellow, pink, white and so on. The railway track is separated by a road, so, you can see several automobiles are in the foreground of the train, but never mind. What's more important was that I didn't worry about backlighting, as it was a cloudy day. Luck was on my side.

For your information, the EMU Keisei 3000 series is the main fleet of the Keisei commuter trains. A total of 326 cars, were built by Tokyu Sharyo (present J-TREC) and Nippon Sharyo between 2002 and 2019. The EMU Shinkeisei-N800 series, Hokuso 7500 series, and Chiba New Town Railway 9200 series have the same technical specifications as the Keisei 3000 series.

Is this the Netherlands?

2024 Sakura Season on the Inokashira Line

Set 1755 of the EMU Keio 1000 series approaches Takaido station

On March 29th, the Meteorological Agency of Japan declared that this year's sakura (cherry) blossoms had started blooming in Tokyo. That was five days later than most other years. The agency then reported that they fully blossomed on April 4th. As I posted before, Japanese people harbor special emotions towards cherry blossoms. We are also reminded of the emptiness of life seeing the beautiful blossoms dropping only a week after they fully blossom. Cherry blossom viewing is a part of Japanese culture. This year, I visited Takaido station on the Keio-Inokashira line. As I introduced you before, there are plenty of cherry trees on both sides of the tracks around this station.

After getting off at the station, I started strolling on the bank of Kanda River, which runs parallel to the Inokashira line. While strolling, I came across a group of kindergarten pupils and their teachers. It brought back my childhood memories, because I also went to a kindergarten nearby Takaido station. It's already a long time ago. Here is a place filled with my memories. The trains have totally changed, but the beauty of the cherry blossoms hasn't changed. I could take many trains and cherry blossom pictures in little time from the river bank and the station platform. I tried to change the atmosphere of the photos this year. Full blown cherry trees, which were reflecting on the front windows of the EMU 1000 series, is my most favorite picture on that day. Spring is here!

Cherry blossoms reflect on the front windows of Set 1777 of the EMU 1000 series

Abukuma Express: 2024 Update

Set AB-2 of the EMU Abukuma Express AB900 series, "Lapras and Lucky Train"

This is the sequel of my post before last. Sorry for jumping from one topic to another. After observing the preserved train at Soneda station on the Iizaka line, I shifted my attention to the adjacent track. 10 minutes later, the train, which I really wanted to see, was approaching me. That was the EMU Abukuma Express AB900 series.

Abukuma Express, also known as Abukyu, is a local railway company straddling Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures. Connecting Fukushima and Tsukinoki stations, its operating length is 54.9 kilometers. The track is mainly single, and electrified. The gauge size is 1,067 mm. The electric system is 20,000 V - 50Hz AC with overhead catenaries. The section between Fukushima terminal and Yanome signal station is shared with the JR East - Tohoku main line.

Different from nine years ago, Abukyu's main fleet has been replaced by the EMU AB900 series, which debuted in 2019. You may have a feeling "I've seen this train before". Wow, you're sharp! This model has the same specifications as those of the JR East E721 series. A total of 7 sets, 14 cars, are currently operated on the line. Each set has a different color, but only Set AB-2 (see the top photo) is a special poster train, named "Lapras and Lucky Train". As you know, Lapras and Lucky (Chansey) are members of Pocket Monsters. Lapras is cheering for Fukushima Prefecture. On the other hand, Lucky is supporting Miyagi Prefecture. Lapras and Lucky, please get along and help each other!

Set AB-5 of the EMU Abukuma Express AB900 series

Official website, Abukuma Express (in Japanese): http://www.abukyu.co.jp/

Advent of Spring on the Seibu-Tamagawa Line

EMU Seibu New 101 series travels on the Tamagawa line

It's getting warmer and warmer in Tokyo. The maximum daytime temperature is nearly 20 degrees Celsius. The spring outing season has just started. I recently visited the Seibu-Tamagawa line for the first time in three years.

To start, let me quickly review the Seibu-Tamagawa line. It's a short local route in the western part of Tokyo. Connecting Musashi-Sakai on the JR East Chuo line and Koremasa near Tama River, the route length is 8.0 kilometers. The track is a 1,067 millimeter-size single and electrified. The electric system is 1,500 V DC with overhead catenaries. 4-car trains are operated every 12 minutes. This route was opened in 1917 to transport gravel from the Tama riverbed to large cities for construction. It's similar to the history of the JR East Nambu line. The route was, then, changed to a commuter line in 1967.

I got off at Shin-Koganei station, and headed to Nogawa river. On the way to the river, I found a fantastic shooting spot of the Tamagawa line trains. It was a straight track in a trench surrounded by a residential area, and had good visibility. The even more good news was that numerous yellow-colored canola flowers were blooming beautifully along the track. The land for the future double track project is especially a suitable space for canola planting. Another of my favorite shooting spots was Nimaibashi bridge over Nogawa river. I could enjoy both the colorful New 101 series trains and the beautiful stream. Spring is here on the Seibu-Tamagawa line.

EMU Seibu New 101 series crosses Nimaibashi bridge over Nogawa river

Preserved Train on the Iizaka Line

Set 7101 of the EMU Fukushima Kotsu 7000 series is preserved at Soneda station

This is the sequel of my last post. After enjoying the latest trains, the EMU 1000 series, on the Iizaka line of Fukushima Kotsu Company, I hit upon a question... "Where have all the old trains gone?" "All scrapped?" Please don't worry! I found that one set of the old train was being preserved at Soneda station. That's Set 7101 of the EMU 7000 series.

Set 7101 is composed of 2 cars, namely DeHa 7101 and DeHa 7202. It's amazing that Set 7101 is preserved as the whole set, not just one car. Even more surprising, Set 7101 is preserved not only as an exhibit, but also utilized as a waiting room for railway passengers and a break room for local people. Please look at the photo below. The inside of the vehicles is kept clean, and equipped with indoor plants. Mellow music is played on a large screen. Paintings, which have been drawn by a local artist, are also exhibited. I fully enjoyed this healing space for a while.

For your information, the EMU 7000 series is the ex-Tokyu 7000 series. A total of 6 sets, 14 cars, were transferred to Fukushima Kotsu in 1991, when the Iizaka line was boosted from 750 to 1,500 V DC. Please look at the top photo. You can see the good old "Pioneer bogies", which were developed in the US, below the body. The brake disks are shining! The EMU Fukushima Kotsu 7000 series, it was great to see you today!

Interior of Set 7101

Official information about the preserved train, Set 7101, by Fukushima Prefectural Government (in Japanese):

https://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/infra/soneda.html

Fukushima Kotsu: 2024 Update

Set 1103 of the EMU Fukushima Kotsu 1000 series travels on the Iizaka line

I visited Fukushima City for the first time in 9 years. What was new with the local railways in this northern city?

Let me quickly review Fukushima City to start. It's the capital city of Fukushima Prefecture in Tohoku District, some 270 kilometers north of Tokyo. The population is about 270,000. The urban area is rather small, but it's bustling with throngs of local people. The city is surrounded by beautiful nature, and famous for the production of delicious peaches.

Now, let's get down to the main topic. After arriving at Fukushima station by Tohoku Shinkansen, I headed to Fukushima terminal of the Iizaka line, which is operated by a local company, Fukushima Kotsu. The Iizaka line is a 9.2 kilometers-long railway connecting Fukushima and Iizaka, which is known as a hot spring resort. The track is single and electrified. The electric system is 1,500 V DC with overhead catenaries.

Different from 9 years ago, the vehicles on the Iizaka line had been totally changed. The current model is the EMU 1000 series, which was transferred from Tokyu Railways in 2017. A total of 6 sets, 14 units, are operated on the line. They are second-hand cars, but look brand-new in my opinion. Specifically, the front design of the head cars looks different from the previous Tokyu 1000 series. It's not surprising, because these head cars had been modified from the middle cars of the Tokyu 1000 series. The driver's cabs were added later. To be continued...

Set 1109 of the EMU Fukushima Kotsu 1000 series travels on the Iizaka line

Official information about the EMU Fukushima Kotsu 1000 series (in Japanese):

https://ii-den.jp/new.php