On October 6th, East Japan Railway Company (hereafter JR East) cerebrated the 90th anniversary of their Hachiko line. In commemoration, JR East Hachioji Branch Office holds many events on the line.
Let me review the Hachiko line to start. The JR East Hachiko line penetrates the northwestern part of the metropolitan area from south to north. Connecting Hachioji in the western part of Tokyo Metropolis and Kuragano in Takasaki City of Gumma Prefecture, its route length is 92 kilometers. The track is mostly single. The gauge size is 1,067 millimeters. The entire line was opened on October 6th, 1934 by Ministry of Railways. The southern section, between Hachioji and Komagawa, is a commuter route in an urban area. It is electrified at 1,500 V DC with overhead catenaries. The EMU 209-3500 and E231-3000 series are commissioned. On the other hand, the northern section, between Komagawa and Kuragano, is a local route in a suburban area. It is non-electrified. The DMU KiHa110 series is commissioned.
I found special memorial plates displayed on the front and back of the Hachiko line train, Set 42 of the EMU E231-3000 series. These plates were designed by JR East employees. I am specifically fond of a plate, on which a smiling face is designed using number “90”. It is so cute! According to JR East, we can see the same plates on Set 204 of the DMU KiHa110 series, which is operated on the northern section.
Congratulations on the 90th anniversary of the Hachiko line!
