The 273 Series: New Trans-Mountain Limited Express

EMU JR West 273 series, Limited Express “Yakumo,” stands at Matsue Station

Time really flies. On the day before returning home, I went to see the night view of Lake Shinji-ko in Matsue City. Unfortunately it was raining, but I could still enjoy the beautiful illuminations on the opposite shore (see the photo below).

Lake Shinji-ko is blessed with various aquatic products known as the “Delicacies of Lake Shinji-ko,” including shrimp, eel, whitebait, smelt, and shijimi clams. All of them taste wonderful, but shijimi is my personal favorite. It is a type of freshwater black clam commonly used in Japanese home cooking and widely available at grocery stores.

The day of departure finally came. I boarded the limited express “Yakumo (Overlapping Clouds)” at Matsue Station. A new model, the EMU JR West 273 series, has recently been introduced for the Yakumo service (see the top photo). The 273 series debuted on April 6 this year, replacing the old EMU 381 series. A total of 11 sets (44 cars) were built by Kinki Sharyo.

The highlight of this model is its remarkable curve-passing performance. By tilting its body using pendular technology, the 273 series can maintain higher speeds through the tight curves on the trans-mountain section penetrating the Chugoku Mountains. The ride is pleasantly smooth, even when running along the winding tracks. The light-brown body color also looks unique and vivid.

After enjoying the scenery of the mountains, I arrived at Okayama, which is the transfer station to Sanyo Shinkansen.

Night view of Lake Shinji-ko near Matsue Station

Related link:

・Official information about the new “Yakumo” limited express by JR West (Japanese only)

Holy Beach and Train in Shimane Prefecture

EMU Ichibata 5000 series stands at Matsue-Shinjiko-onsen Railyard

Continuing from my previous post, I would like to introduce one of the trains of the Ichibata Electric Railway. The EMU 5000 series is Ichibata’s high-end train (see the photo above). It has mainly been used as a limited express train connecting Dentetsu-Izumoshi and Izumotaisha-mae, transporting worshippers to the holy Izumotaisha Shrine. Each car is 18 meters long with a steel body, and one trainset consists of two motorcars. Unlike other trains, it has only four doors per unit.

As with the Ichibata 2100 series, which I introduced in an earlier post, the Ichibata 5000 series is also an ex-Keio 5000 series train. The Ichibata 2100 series still keeps the original design of the Keio 5000 series. On the other hand, the Ichibata 5000 series looks somewhat different. It was modified before moving from the Keio Line in 1998.

Many passengers take this “holy train” to visit Izumotaisha Shrine. Taking this opportunity, I would like to introduce a holy beach, “Inasanohama,” located near the shrine. According to a local legend, deities from all over Japan gather at Izumotaisha Shrine for an annual meeting held in October of the lunar calendar, and they are welcomed by local people here on this beach.

It is a beautiful bow-shaped sandy beach featuring a sacred rock named Benten-jima. It is said that the setting sun is especially stunning here, but the morning scenery was also beautiful (see the photo below).

I fully enjoyed both the holy beach and the train in Shimane Prefecture.

Inasanohama Beach near Izumotaisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Electric Railway

Related link:

・Official information about the trains of Ichibata Electric Railway (in Japanese)

Trains of Ichibata Electric Railway

EMU Ichibata 1000 series stands at Matsue-Shinjiko-onsen station

Following the EMU 2100 series, I’m going to show you the other trains of Ichibata Electric Railway.

Before that, let me quickly review this railway. Ichibata is a local private railway company in Shimane Prefecture. Connecting Matsue and Izumo cities, its total operating length is 42.2 kilometers. The track is single and the gauge size is 1,067 millimeters. Its electric system is 1,500 V DC. The Kitamatsue line is the main route between Matsue-Shinjiko-onsen and Dentetsu-Izumoshi (33.9 kilometers). On the other hands, the Taisha line is a branch route extending from Kawato to Izumotaisha-mae (8.3 kilometers).

The EMU 1000 series is the ex-Tokyu 1000 series. A total of 3 sets, 6 units, were moved to Ichibata in 2014 and 2015 after modification from intermediate cars to lead cars. One set is composed of a motorcar and a trailer (1M1T). The motorcar has four 130 kW induction motors. The electric control system is an IGBT-VVVF (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor-variable frequency drive). The front design is similar with that of the EMU Fukushima Kotsu 1000 series.

Electric car 7000 series is Ichibata’s new model car for the first time in 86 years. A total of 4 cars were built by Kinki Sharyo and Goto Kogyo from 2016 to 2018. It's a 20-meters-long large car with a stainless-steel body. It has two 270 kW induction motors (0.5M). The electric control system is an IGBT-VVVF. Both long and cross seats are equipped. The front design is similar with that of the EMU JR West 225 series.

Electric car Ichibata 7000 series stands at Matsue-Shinjiko-onsen rail yard

Official information about the trains of Ichibata Electric Railway (in Japanese):

https://railway.ichibata.co.jp/operate/trains/

Great Garden and Train in Shimane Prefecture

Set 2104 of the EMU Ichibata 2100 series stands at Kawato station

Continuing with what I covered last time, I would like to introduce a great Japanese-style garden and train in Shimane Prefecture today.

After spending a night on Sunrise Express, I got off the train at Yasugi station on the San-in main line next morning. My destination was Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi City of Shimane Prefecture. This museum was founded by Adachi Zenko, who was a businessman born in the city. The museum realizes the artful juxtaposition of modern Japanese-style paintings inside and traditional gardens outside. These gardens are ranked as Number One among the Japanese-style gardens according to “The Journal of Japanese Gardening” published in the USA.

After enjoying the paintings and gardens, I took a local line, Ichibata Electric Railway, and headed to Izumotaisha-mae. On the way, I came across an orange-colored train, Set 2104 of the EMU 2100 series, at Kawato station. This nostalgic train was moved from Keio Electric Railway in 1995. The former name was the EMU Keio 5000 series, which was a reputable commuter train in the 1960s through the 1990s. It was the winner of Japan Railfan Club's 1964 Laurel Prize as the most outstanding technical and designed train which debuted in the previous year. Its curved front windows and double rounded front lights of this over 50-year-old train was nostalgic, but still very cool. Incidentally, the body color of Set 2104 was taken from Ichibata’s old baggage car, named DeHaNi 50 series.

To be continued more...

Japanese-style garden, Adachi Museum of Art

Official information about the EMU, Ichibata Electric Railway (in Japanese):

https://railway.ichibata.co.jp/operate/trains/

Short Trip to Shimane Prefecture by Sunrise Express

EMU 285 series, Sunrize Izumo and Sunrize Seto, stands at Tokyo station

I recently took Sunrise Express for the first time in my life, and visited Shimane Prefecture. I’m going to show you photos of this train today.

Let me review Shimane Prefecture and Sunrise Express to start. Shimane Prefecture is located in the western part of Japan, facing the Sea of Japan. The population of the prefecture is about 0.7 million, which is the second least populous prefecture in Japan. To get to Shimane Prefecture from Tokyo, a convenient transportation mean is Sunrise Express. It is an overnight sleeper train that has comfortable berthing. Connecting Tokyo and Izumo-shi, it travels on three JR group railways, namely JR East, JR Central and JR West. A 14-car train, the EMU 285 series is operated as "Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto" from Tokyo to Okayama. This train is detached after arriving at Okayama station. "Sunrise Izumo (a 7-car train)" then runs to Izumoshi in Shimane Prefecture; meanwhile, another 7-car train is operated to Takamatsu as "Sunrise Seto".

The EMU 285 series is owned by JR West and JR Central. A total of 5 sets, 35 units, were built in 1998 by Kinki Sharyo, Nippon Sharyo and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. I think that the "sleeper EMU (Electric Multiple-Unit)" is quite unique. I used a B-class (standard class) sleeping car, which has single rooms. Its window is very large, so, I could fully enjoy night views of downtown Tokyo, and fell asleep without realizing it.

To be continued…

Interior of the single bed room, B-class (standard-class) sleeping car

Official information about Sunrize Express by JR West (in Japanese):

https://www.jr-odekake.net/train/sunriseseto_izumo/

The 90th Anniversary of Hachiko Line

Set 42 of the EMU JR East E231-3000 series arrives at Komiya station

On October 6th, East Japan Railway Company (hereafter JR East) celebrated 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!

90th anniversary plate of the Hachiko line

Official website on the 90th anniversary of the Hachiko line by JR East Hachioji Branch Office (in Japanese):

https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2024/hachioji/20240920_hc03.pdf

Extra Rare Steam Locomotive Preserved in Sendai City

Steam locomotive Unit 1 of the Class C60 is preserved in Sendai West Park

After observing trains on the Namboku line of Sendai City Subway, I visited Sendai West Park in the city center. My target was a steam locomotive Unit 1 of the Class C60 (hereafter C60 1) preserved in the park.

Let's take a quick look at the Class C60. It is a 4-6-4 (Whyte notation) type steam locomotive that has a tender attached. The C60 was originally developed as the Class C59 by the Ministry of Railways in 1941, but converted to the Class C60 later. What was the background of C60’s appearance? The Class C59 was originally developed for pulling express trains on trunk lines; however, many trunk lines were electrified in 1950’s. So, they had to move to local lines, but problem of the local lines was their weak load bearing. The heavy axle load of the C59 had to be decreased for operation on the local lines. For that purpose, 4-6-2 axis arrangement on the C59 was converted to 4-6-4 on the C60… one trailing axle was added.

C60 1 was originally built in 1941 at Hitachi Kasado Factory under the name of C59 27. It was then converted to C60 1 by the Japanese National Railways Hamamatsu Factory in 1953. After operating for 15 years as C60 1, it was retired from the track in 1968, and moved to Sendai West Park. It’s an extra rare SL, because it is the only preserved C60 in Japan. I would like to thank everyone involved in preserving C60 1 in Sendai City.

Back view of C60 1

Official website, Preservation Society of C60 1 Steam Locomotive in Sendai City (in Japanese):

https://sendaic601.com/

I Got Here a Little Too Early

EMU Sendai Subway 1000 series and the Funagata mountain range

Continuing with what I covered last time, I would like to introduce trains in Sendai City today.

First, let's take a quick look at Sendai City. Located about 350 kilometers north of Tokyo, Sendai is the political and economic center of the Tohoku Region. As of October 2024, it has a population of 1,096,168. Sendai is a densely populated city, but it is known nationwide as a modern city in harmony with nature. The city possesses beautiful scenery, such as the Hirose River that runs through central Sendai, and the lush zelkova trees that line its streets. Rairai-kyo Gorge, which I introduced in my last post, is also must-see spot in the city.

After visiting Rairai-kyo, I returned to the city center and visited the Sendai Subway Namboku line. My target was a new model named the EMU 3000 series. Sendai City Transportation Bureau recently introduced this model. How was the 3000 series? Oh, please refrain from asking this question. The 3000 series had not debuted yet. According to the Transportation Bureau, the 3000 series was still in Tomizawa Depo, and will debut on 24th of this month. I got here little too early.

Never mind. I got off at Yaotome station. That’s rail-fans’ spot, where we can shoot subway trains on the elevated track during the daytime. I enjoyed shooting of the existing 1000 series trains backed by the Funagata mountain range. I could shoot on the dark underground section at Kotodai-koen as well. That's quite alright too.

EMU 1000 series leaves Kotodai-koen station on the subway Namboku line

Official information about the new model, EMU 3000 series, by Sendai City Transportation Bureau (in Japanese):

https://www.kotsu.city.sendai.jp/subway/namboku_sharyou_p2.html

Preserved Tramcar just above Rairai-kyo Gorge

Unit 119 of the ex-Sendai City Tram MoHa 100 series

I have recently visited Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture, on an errand. After finishing my meeting, I went to the Akiu area in the city, and enjoyed walking along a beautiful gorge.

Rairai-kyo is a deep gorge generated within pumice tuff deposited about 8 million years ago. This rock is relatively soft, but it doesn’t crumble easily, so it has been used for buildings and fences in Sendai City. If you look at Rairai-kyo from a bridge across the gorge, you can find a heart-shaped groove in the rock (see the photo below). It’s so-called Tafoni, which is a hole generated by chemical erosion, and a popular spot for lovebirds.

Well, I can't be written off here as this is a railway blog. Just above the deep valley, I could find a preserved tramcar (see the top photo). What’s that? It’s Unit 119 of the ex-Sendai City Tram MoHa 100 series. The MoHa 100 series is a middle-sized (11.9-meter-long) double-axle bogie car. It has two 38 kW direct current series motors, and its rated speed is 21 kilometers per hour. The traditional nose-suspension drive system is adopted. Unit 119 was built by Niigata Tekko in 1952. After operating for 48 years in Sendai and Nagasaki cities, it was retired from the track in 2000, and moved to Rairai-kyo Gorge in 2002. Unit 119 is known as a “brother” of the nameless tramcar in Seibu-en Amusement Park (see my post on 15/2/2023). Unit 119… thank you for your hard work. Have a good rest.

A heart-shaped groove within a rock of Rairai-kyo Gorge

EMU 1800 Series for the 1,800th Post

Set 1806 of the EMU Toyohashi Railway 1800 series (September, 2016)

This is the 1,800th post in my blog. It has been about thirteen and a half years since I started posting. I hope rail-fans all over the world continue to enjoy my blog. In commemoration of the "1,800th" post, I am going to show you a train with the number "1,800" in the name today. Is it a bit of a stretch?

The EMU Toyohashi Railway 1800 series is a sole model on the Atsumi line. It was commissioned in 2000 to replace the old model, the ex-Meitetsu 7300 series. The 1800 series was originally the Tokyu 7200 series. It was built by Tokyu Sharyo in the 1960s and 1970s. After operating for about 30 years, a total of 32 units were moved to Toyohashi Railway. Currently, 10 sets of 3-car trains have gone into commercial services. One trainset is composed of two motorcars and one trailer (2M1T). One car is 18-meters long. The odd-shaped face (so-called diamond cut) of the 1800 series is definitely my favorite. Their body colors are also attractive, as each set has its own color. A total of 10 different colors such as light green (the top photo) and brown (the photo below) are used.

Incidentally, the Atsumi line of Toyohashi Railway is a local route in Aichi Prefecture. about 300 kilometers west of Tokyo. Connecting Shin-Toyohashi and Mikawa-Tahara, its route length is 18 kilometers. The track is single and the gauge size is 1,067 millimeters. Its electric system is 1,500 V DC with overhead catenaries.

Set 1802 of the EMU Toyohashi Railway 1800 series (September, 2016)

Official information about the colorful trains on the Atsumi line of Toyohashi Railway (in Japanese):

https://www.toyotetsu.com/atsumisen/colorfultrain.html