I can’t take my eyes off the Daiyuzan Line these days. Several new-colored trains have been commissioned one after another. Today, I’d like to introduce these beautiful newcomers.
Let me begin with a brief review of the Daiyuzan Line. The line is operated by Izu-Hakone Railway, one of the companies in the Seibu Group. It was opened in 1925 between Odawara and Daiyuzan stations to carry worshippers to the famous Saijo-ji Buddhist temple.
Today, its passengers include not only worshippers but also local commuters and students traveling to Odawara, Yokohama, and other cities. The line is 9.6 kilometers long, with 1,067 mm narrow-gauge track. It is single-track and electrified at 1,500 V DC via overhead lines. Trains run at an average interval of about 12 minutes.
Now, let’s move on to the main topic.
First, the “Gentian Train” debuted on April 5, using Set 5507 of the EMU 5000 series. Gentian is the official flower of Minami-Ashigara City, located along the Daiyuzan Line. This train was introduced to promote tourism in the city. Its light purple body color has a soft and gentle appearance.
Next came the “Orange Train,” which entered service on August 29, using Set 5503 of the same EMU 5000 series. Oranges are a local specialty of Odawara City, also along the line. This train, too, was designed to promote local tourism, and its bright orange body color is truly eye-catching.
Incidentally, the EMU 5000 series forms the mainstay of the Daiyuzan Line fleet. The series was introduced in 1984, and a total of seven three-car sets, comprising 21 cars, are currently in operation.
