Changing of the Seasons: Keio-Inokashira Line, Part 2

Set 1761 of the EMU Keio 1000 series passes by azalea blossoms  

Continuing with what I covered last time, I'm going to show you the change of the seasons on the Keio-Inokashira line today.

After the cherry blossom season goes by, the azalea season comes to the Inokashira line in May. Train passengers can enjoy gorgeous azalea blossoms here and there. Please look at the top photo. That's one of my favorite spots around Fujimigaoka station. It's not a on a large scale like Komagome and Mejiro stations on the JR East-Yamanote line, but this spot holds its own. It serves double purposes. Firstly, the dark pink-colored blossoms are densely packed on the steep embankment of the track to delight passengers' eyes. Secondly, the azalea functions to prevent slope failure as well. You should not miss this special spot.

In June, the hydrangea season comes to the Keio-Inokashira line. Famous spots are around Higashi-Matsubara, Meidaimae and Nishi-Eifuku stations. They are famous among flower lovers and railway photographers, but I'm going to show you another spot this time. That's near Kugayama station. Purple-colored hydrangeas are fully bloomed on the embankment of the track there. It's a bit modest, but beautifully arranged like a long belt. A green and red-colored hedge is also modest but beautiful. The only disadvantage is the position of the hydrangeas. It's too high for train passengers. Please get off at Kugayama station, and admire the beautiful scenery from the railway overpass in the residential area.

I might be just like a honeybee flying around seasonal flowers on the Keio-Inokashira line.

Set 1771 of the EMU Keio 1000 series passes by hydrangea blossoms  

Changing of the Seasons: Keio-Inokashira Line

Set 1780 of the EMU Keio 1000 series passes by a canola field

On June 21st, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that this year's rainy season had begun in Tokyo. It was 14 days later than the average year. From June to mid-July, the Tokyo metropolitan area has a hot and humid rainy season called Tsuyu. It's a gloomy period before midsummer for Tokyoites, so, I'm refraining from trainspotting. Instead, I looked for my favorite photos saved in my hard disk.

Please look at the top photo. As I posted several times, I was born in a residential area on the Keio-Inokashira line, and have been witnessing the history of this commuter route. What I love most about the Inokashira line is its various seasonal flowers beside the track. In March, passengers can really start to feel the arrival of spring with canola flowers, which are brilliant near Shindaita station. Numerous yellow-colored canolas bloom beautifully in the sunshine on the embankments of the track. It also functions to prevent slope failure.

Next, please look at the photo below. In early April, most of the cherry (sakura) trees are fully blossomed along the track. I have introduced the cherry blossoms around Takaido station several times. This time, please enjoy old cherry trees in full bloom around Inokashirakoen station. The light-pink-colored cherry blossoms and the blue-colored train create a beautiful contrast backed by a quiet suburban residential area. I still remember that I visited there to make a sketch with my teacher and classmates of the primary school. Time really flies.

To be continued...

Set 1771 of the EMU Keio 1000 series passes by cherry trees in full bloom

Mystical Tunnel on the Tokyu-Shinyokohama Line

EMU Tokyu 3000 series travels on the Tokyu-Shinyokohama line

One year has passed since the Tokyu-Shinyokohama line was inaugurated. I recently visited this new route again for the first time in a year.

Let me quickly review the Tokyu-Shinyokohama line. It's a connecting line between the Tokyu and the Sotetsu lines. Connecting Hiyoshi and Shinyokohama, the total operating length is 5.8 kilometers. The track is double and almost the entire route is underground. All trains are directly operated onto the Tokyu-Toyoko and Meguro lines via Hiyoshi station. On the other hand, about half of trains are directly operated onto the Sotetsu-Shinyokohama line via Shinyokohama station. Shinyokohama is also known as a transfer station for several lines. The function of the transfer station to the JR Central's Tokaido Shinkansen is especially important, as travelers from the Tokyu lines don't need to go out of their way to Tokyo terminal.

Let's get down to the main topic. I stood on the edge of the Shinyokohama station platform, and observed the tunnel of the Tokyu-Shinyokohama line. There were no railway signals on the track, as a cab signal system is applied; however, I found many train approach alert lights to protect railway employees, who work on the track. Unlike what I had previously imagined, the interior of the tunnel was very colorful. Thanks to the colorful lights, I could take fantastic photos of the EMU Tokyu 3000 series travelling on the line. The 3000 series is a major fleet on the Tokyu-Shinyokohama and Meguro lines. Reflecting the lights, its stainless-steeled bodies were mystically shining.

EMU Tokyu 3000 series leaves Shinyokohama station

A Topic for Old-school Trainspotters

EMU JR East E233-8500 series arrives at Kuji station on the Nambu line

Recently, there are many topics for non-rail-fans, so, I'm going to show you a topic for old-school trainspotters today. That's the EMU JR East E233-8500 series operated on the Nambu line.

To start, let me quickly review the Nambu line. It's a transportation artery in the eastern part of Kanagawa Prefecture and the Tama area of Tokyo Metropolis. Connecting Kawasaki and Tachikawa, its route length is 45 kilometers. The track is double and electrified with 1,500V DC. 6-car trains are operated every 2 to 8 minutes. The rollingstock on the line is the EMU E233-8000 series with only one exception.

Let's get down to the main topic. To operate the Nambu line on timetable, 36 train-sets in total are commissioned on the line. They all look the same, but there is one train-set of exception if you observe them carefully. That's the EMU E233-8500 series. The rare E233-8500 series has door switches on the side bodies; meanwhile, the major E233-8000 series doesn't have them. Why? The rare E233-8500 series was originally operated on the Ome and Itsukaichi lines, where passengers opened and closed the doors by themselves using door switches. After transferring to the Nambu line in 2017, these door switches haven't been used anymore; however, they still remain. On the other hand, the major E233-8000 series doesn't have door switches on the side bodies, because it was originally built for the Nambu line, where conductors open and close the doors.

A circular door switch is seen on the side body of the E233-8500 series

Compassionate or Scary: Ofuna Kannon

Ofuna Kannon (Ofuna Goddess of Mercy) and the EMU JR East E231 series

This is quite sudden, but what were you scared of when you were a kid? Your neighbor's dog, vaccine injection or thunderstorm? In my case, I was afraid of Ofuna Kannon (Ofuna Goddess of Mercy).

Please look at the photo below. That's Ofuna Kannon. It's a half-length statue in a Buddhist temple. The white-colored statue stands at 25 meters tall and weighs nearly 2,000 tons. Whenever I visited my grandparents' house with my parents, I passed under this giant statue by train. My parents always said, "What a compassionate face it is!", but I didn't feel like that. For me, there wasn't anything else but a scary giant, who could come alive at any moment.

What do I feel about Ofuna Kannon now? To know the latest impression of this giant half-length statue, I recently visited there for the first time in decades. The nearest station is Ofuna on the Tokaido main line. Different from decades ago, the vehicles on the Tokaido main line had been replaced by the stainless-steeled E231 and the E233-3000 series. The scenery around the station had also changed from what it used to be. It's not easy to find out Ofuna Kannon, as there are many buildings around the station. What did I feel about Ofuna Kannon this time? It's not so scary anymore, but even now, it doesn't look like a compassionate face to be honest. A leopard cannot change its spots. You should also visit there, and observe it with your own eyes.

Ofuna Kannon (Ofuna Goddess of Mercy) near JR East Ofuna station

Class D52: Preserved SL in Sagamihara City

Unit 235 of the steam locomotive Class D52 is preserved in Kanuma Park

Following the "slug locomotive" in Nagareyama City of Chiba Prefecture, I'm going to show you the other rare steam locomotive (SL). That's Unit 235 of the Class D52 (D52 235), preserved in Kanuma Park, Sagamihara City of Kanagawa Prefecture.

To start, let me quickly review the Class D52. It's a 2-8-2 (Whyte notation) type SL that has a tender attached. A total of 285 units of the Class D52 were built from 1943 to 1946 in the closing days of World War II. It's 21.105 meters long, and weighs 74.42 tons. The driving wheel diameter is 1,400 millimeters. It produces an output of 1,433kW and a maximum speed of 85 kilometers per hour. Their main function was to pull 1,200 ton-class heavy freight trains.

Let's get down to the main topic. D52 235, which is currently preserved in Kanuma Park, was built by Kawasaki-sharyo in 1946. After operating for 27 years, it was retired from the track in 1973. D52 235 was then taken over by Sagamihara City in 1975. When I saw it in the park, I was surprised that this SL has a very large boiler. In contrast, the smokestack was very small. It's probably because the size of the D52 had to be kept under the limits of the vehicle. Another surprise was D53 235 had a very good state of preservation. It's maintained by a local volunteers' group named "Sagamihara D52 Preservation Society". I would like to thank everyone involved in preserving D52 235 in Sagamihara City.

Back view of D52 235 in Kanuma Park of Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Carp-shaped Banners on the Chuo Line

EMU JR East 211-3000 series arrives at Nishi-Hachioji station

It's a bit of an unseasonal topic, but I'm going to show you a traditional event. The 5th of May was Children's Day in Japan. In this season, parents celebrate their children's birth and pray for their healthy growth by putting up carp-shaped banners, named "Koinobori", in their gardens. When a carp heads upstream, he (or she) uses his (or her) power to jump over obstacles, even waterfalls, so, Koinobori is a symbol of power for children to grow up. In recent years, Koinoboris are not only put up in private gardens, but also stretched above rivers as local events. I found plenty of Koinoboris at Higashi-Asakawa River in Hachioji City, some 50 kilometers west of the city center of Tokyo. They were flying above the stream whipping in the gentle breeze. It seems like they were feeling pretty good.                                         

To visit this local event, the nearest railway station is Nishi-Hachioji on the JR East-Chuo line. Taking this opportunity, I'm going to show you an unusual train stopping at Nishi-Hachioji station. That's a local train, the EMU JR East 211-3000 series, bound for Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture. It has stainless-steel bodies with light blue and emerald-colored stripes, which are called “Nagano colors”. Different from the standard commuter trains, the 211-3000 series consists of only 6 cars, as it's operated mainly in the sparsely populated countryside. It takes 4 hours 10 minutes from Nishi-Hachioji to Matsumoto terminal, but never mind. Sitting on the comfortable seat, you will enjoy beautiful mountain scenery inland. Have a fun trip!

Carp-shaped banners are stretched above Higashi-Asakawa river

Extra Rare Subway Spot on the Ginza Line: Part 2

EMU Tokyo Metro 1000 series leaves Shibuya Depot on the Ginza line

Do you remember when I introduced you to an extra rare subway spot on the Ginza line two years ago. That was a railway crossing on the "subway" Tokyo Metro-Ginza line. It's located on the siding track between the underground main track and Ueno Depot on the ground. Today, I'm going to introduce you to another extra rare spot on the Ginza line. That's an "elevated track" of the Ginza line.

You may want to say, "An elevated track... so what? It's not rare at all!" OK. I can provide you more details. There certainly are several elevated tracks on the "subway" lines in Tokyo. Higashi-Ojima on the subway Toei-Shinjuku line, which I posted two years ago, is a good example, but what about the Ginza line? Please look at the top photo. That's the only one elevated track section on the Ginza line. Moreover, it's not a main track, but a siding track between Shibuya Depot and Shibuya terminal. Is it easy to see a train passing through this elevated track? No, it isn't. Firstly, we have to look for a train viewing spot. I found it on the 8th floor of a shopping building, named "Hikarie". Secondly, the timetable of deadhead trains to and from Shibuya Depot are not made public. I eventually found that a deadhead train leaves the depot, and passes through this elevated track at 4.26pm on weekdays.

Please enjoy the subway Ginza line train traveling on the extra rare elevated track.

Distant view of the elevated track, subway Tokyo Metro-Ginza line 

Tokyu "Shinkansen" Trains

Set 4105 of the EMU Tokyu 5050 series, Shinkansen-colored train

Railway companies sometimes use the other companies' color designs for their own trains. The purposes of that are joint campaigns to promote tourism to their lines, or simply to deepen the friendship of two companies. For example, Seibu Railway uses their sister companies' color designs for their Tamagawa line trains. Furthermore, Seibu once used Keikyu's color design for their own train as a token of friendship. That was the "Lucky Red Train" in 2014. As you know, Seibu and Keikyu are good competitors in the metropolitan area. On the other hand, Keikyu used Taiwan Railway Administration's color design for their own train in 2016 in accordance with a Friendship and Cooperation Agreement.

Let's get down to the main topic. Tokyu Railway recently launched Shinkansen-colored trains on their Meguro and Toyoko lines one after another. They are Set 3123 of the EMU 3020 series on the Meguro line and Set 4105 of the EMU 5050 series on the Toyoko line. As I posted before, Tokyu inaugurated a new line, named the Shinyokohama line, in March, 2023. Transfer from the Tokyu lines to the Tokaido Shinkansen has become much easier using Shinyokohama station on the Tokyu-Shinyokohama line. The purposes of these Shinkansen-colored trains are the first anniversary and the promotion of the Tokyu-Shinyokohama line. For your information, some of the trains on the Tokyu-Meguro and Toyoko lines are directly operated onto the Shinyokohama line.

Tokyu "Shinkansen" Trains were realized by cooperation of JR Central, which is the operator of the Tokaido Shinkansen.

Set 3123 of the EMU Tokyu 3020 series, Shinkansen-colored train

Official information about the Shinkansen-colored train, Set 3123 (in Japanese):

https://www.tokyu.co.jp/image/information/pdf/20240227-1.pdf

Official information about the Shinkansen-colored train, Set 4105 (in Japanese):

https://www.tokyu.co.jp/image/information/pdf/lapping_train_3_d.pdf

The Seibu-Toshima Line: An Urban Local Route

"Studio Tour Tokyo Express" travels on the Seibu-Toshima line

I'm going to show you an urban local route followed by the Keio-Keibajo line. What's an "urban local route" in the first place? There is no definition for it, but I think "an urban railway line with little passenger transportation volume". For example, the JR East-Nambu branch line is a typical urban local route. The Tobu-Daishi line is also a good example.

Enough with the preamble. Let's get down to the main topic. The Seibu-Toshima line is also an urban local route. It's a branch line of the Seibu-Ikebukuro line. Connecting Nerima and Toshimaen, its route length is only 1.0 kilometer. The track is single. Trains are operated every 12 to 15 minutes. What's at Toshimaen terminal? You will find a popular theme park, named Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo, near the terminal. In other words, the main function of the Seibu-Toshima line is transportation for holidaymakers, who visit Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo.

Taking the Seibu-Toshima line, you can enjoy a special poster train, named Studio Tour Tokyo Express, before reaching Toshimaen terminal. This train has large posters of Harry, Hermione and Ron on the bodies. It will lift your mood before visiting the theme park. Once you get off at the Toshimaen terminal, shining Patronus (Harry's Spirit Guardian) statues will welcome you. By the way, you may ask me, "Have you ever been to Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo?" Unfortunately, not yet. I'm always busy. My family are also pressed for time, and... (so many excuses!).

Patronus (Harry’s Spirit Guardian) statues in front of Toshimaen terminal

Official information about Toshimaen terminal (in Japanese):

https://www.seiburailway.jp/railway/station/toshimaen/