Precious EL Preserved in Utsunomiya City

Electric locomotive Unit 7 of the Class EF57 is preserved in Utsunomiya City

Utsunomiya is the main city of Tochigi Prefecture, some 110 kilometers north of Tokyo. It is located in the northern part of Kanto Plain, and known as the machine and food industries city. With regard to railways, you may remember when I introduced you that Japan’s newest tramline was opened in Utsunomiya City last August. The number of cumulative passengers became 6 million on November 19th this year, which was four months earlier than expected. It is a great success.

Utsunomiya is an advanced railway city, but it's not all new. If you walk about the city, you will find a precious old locomotive. Please look at the photos. It is an electric locomotive (EL) Unit 7 of the Class EF57 preserved in Utsunomiya-higashi Park. The Class EF57 is a 1,500V direct current EL with an axis arrangement 2C+C2 (AAR wheel arangement). It was developed for pulling express trains on trunk lines by the Ministry of Railways in 1940. Its maximum speed was 95 kilometers per hour. A total of 15 units were built by Hitachi and Kawasaki Sharyo. Unit 7 was built by Hitachi in 1942, and retired from the Japanese National Railways (JNR) in 1978. It is the only survivor of the Class EF57, and has been preserved in this park since 1980.

Please look at the top photo again. The pantograph sticks out of the body. That’s really cool! A special deck in front of the cab is also unique. I was fascinated by this precious EL.

Front view of Unit 7, Class JNR EF57

Deja Vu on the Shin-Keisei Line

Set N838 of the EMU Shin-Keisei N800 series, Revival-colored train

You may remember my last year’s post, in which Keisei will absorb Shin-Keisei Electric Railway Company in April, 2025. How is the merger project going? I recently visited the Shin-Keisei line for the first time in two years, and saw it with my own eyes.

Let me review Keisei Electric Railway and Shin-Keisei Electric Railway. Keisei is one of the major private railway companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It owns a total of 152.3-kilometer-long railway network in the eastern part of Tokyo and northern Chiba Prefecture. On the other hand, Shin-Keisei is an affiliate firm of Keisei Electric Railway Company in Chiba of Prefecture. It owns a 26.5-kilometer-long railway route. Keisei has made Shin-Keisei a wholly-owned subsidiary last year through a share exchange. As the second step, Keisei will absorb Shin-Keisei next year to maximize synergies by making faster decisions and improving business efficiency. The new name of the Shin-Keisei line will be Keisei-Matsudo line after the merger.

Now, let's head to the main topic. I found that the body colors of two Shin-Keisei trainsets have been changed to their original colors. They are Set N838 of the EMU N800 series and Set 8808 of the EMU 8800 series. In my memory, they were changed from their original colors to new colors, which were two-toned of pink and white, only two years ago. Why Shin-Keisei put them back to the original colors now? This is to look back on Shin-Keisei’s past before reaching the end. I fully enjoyed the Deja Vu trains on the Shin-Keisei line.

Set 8808 of the EMU Shin-Keisei 8800 series, Revival-colored train

Official information about the N800 series revival colored train (in Japanese):

https://www.shinkeisei.co.jp/topics/2024/34002/

Official information about the 8800 series revival colored train (in Japanese):

https://www.shinkeisei.co.jp/topics/2024/34532/

"Magical Journey Shinkansen" Train

Set U6 of the EMU JR East E5 series, "Magical Journey Shinkansen"

On June 6th this year, Tokyo Disney Resort held its grand opening of Fantasy Springs. To promote tourism to this new theme park, the owner company of Tokyo Disney Resort, namely Oriental Land, started to operate a new poster train, named Magical Journey Shinkansen, on the Tohoku Shinkansen jointly with JR East.

Let's take a quick look at Fantasy Springs to start. This theme park is composed of Frozen Kingdom, Peter Pan's Never Land and Rapunzel's Forest. For example, visitors of Frozen Kingdom are invited to the kingdom of Arendelle from the film Frozen. Needless to say, a movie, Frozen, was a major hit in 2013. The film met with widespread acclaim from critics and audiences, winning two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, among numerous other accolades.

You can see characters of Fantasy Springs on the side bodies of Magical Journey Shinkansen. They are Elsa and Anna of Frozen, Peter Pan and so on. You may remember when I introduced you to Magical “Dream” Shinkansen before. It was Set J69 of the EMU JR East E2-J series. On the other hand, Magical “Journey” Shinkansen is Set U6 of the JR East E5 series. The EMU E5 series is the fastest train in Japan. Its current maximum speed is 320 kilometers per hour (198.8 miles per hour). By tilting the train's body using advanced technology, the E5 series can keep a high speed on tight curves as well. JR Hokkaido's H5 series is a sister train of the E5 series.

Side view of "Magical Journey Shinkansen"

Official website, "Magical Journey Shinkansen" by JR East (in Japanese):

https://www.jreast.co.jp/mjshinkansen/

Final Chapter of the ex-Tokyo Metro 05 Series in Indonesia

05-110F of the EMU ex-Tokyo Metro 05 series in Jakarta, Inodonesia

(Photo: Faris Fadhli)

Sorry for jumping from one topic to another, but I am going to follow up the trains in Jakarta a little bit more. Following the EMU ex-Tokyu 8500 series, which I posted on November 14th, I am going to show you the other “endangered species” today. My thanks again go to Faris Fadhli, who kindly sent me the beautiful picture.

Please look at the top photo. It is 05-110F of the EMU ex-Tokyo Metro 05 series operated in Indonesia. The 05 series originally debuted on the Tokyo Metro Tozai line in 1988. 240 units in total were built by Kinki Sharyo, Nippon Sharyo and others. 130 units out of 240 units had already retired from the Tozai line. 12 units were then transferred to the Kita-Ayase branch line after modification; meanwhile, 80 units were exported to Indonesia as secondhand trains. According to Faris Fadhli, two sets (05-108F and 05-110F) are still operated by the local railway company.

I still clearly remember the time when the ex-Tokyo Metro 05 series arrived at Indonesia in 2010. I visited Port of Tanjung Priok near Jakarta with several enthusiastic Indonesian railfans, and welcomed the 05 series trains (see the photo below). Just like the ex-Tokyu 8500 series, ex-Tokyo Metro 05 series’ second life is coming to an end... but two sets still remain on the track. I would like to thank again the local railway engineers in Indonesia, and hope that the 05 series will be operated as long as possible.

05-107F of the EMU ex-Tokyo Metro 05 series has just arrived at Tanjung Priok port

(August 14th, 2010)

2024 Late Autumn Visit to Hakone

Gondola Number 2,"Komagatake", Hakone-Komagatake Ropeway

Autumn begins to deepen in Japan. The leaves have begun to turn red, brown and yellow in the Tokyo metropolitan area. One of the most famous places for enjoying autumn leaves is Hakone in a western suburb of Tokyo. I recently visited this resort area with my family. Our destination was Mt. Komagatake, which is one of the peaks of the central cone of Hakone Caldera. Its peak is 1,356 meters above sea level.

To visit Mt. Komagatake, Hakone Komagatake Ropeway is convenient. The route was originally opened by Izu-Hakone Railway in 1963, and currently operated by Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide Company. It's a four-cables cross type aerial tramway. Connecting Hakone-en on the shore of Lake Ashinoko and Komagatake-chojo station at the summit of Mt. Komagatake stations, its route length is 1,783 meters. The height difference between the two stations is 590.8 meters. Its maximum inclination is 30.3 degrees. The gondola is operated every 20 minutes. It takes about 7 minutes to go one way. The present gondolas, namely Ashinoko (Number 1) and Komagatake (Number 2), were built by CWA in 1986 as the 2nd generation ones. Each gondola can accommodate up to 101 passengers.

After arriving at the Komagatake-sancho station, we enjoyed beautiful autumn leaves of Mt. Komagatake and adjacent Lake Ashinoko. In addition to that, we could clearly see Mt. Fuji (3,776 meters above sea level) in the northwest. There was less snowfall than average this year, so, we couldn’t see a snow-capped peak. Was it an effect of global warming?

A view of Mt. Fuji (3,776 meters above sea level) from Mt. Komagatake 

Final Chapter of the ex-Tokyu 8500 Series in Indonesia

8618F of the EMU KAI Commuter (ex-Tokyu) 8500 series in Jakarta, Indonesia

(Photo: Faris Fadhli)

I've received the latest picture from an Indonesian railfan. It's the last active set named 8618F of the EMU ex-Tokyu 8500 series being operated in Jakarta. My thanks go to Faris Fadhli, who kindly sent me the beautiful picture.

Let me quickly review the EMU Tokyu 8500 series. They were direct current commuter trains operated on the Tokyu lines in Japan from 1975 to 2023. 400 units in total were built by Tokyu Sharyo. After retirement from Tokyu Electric Railway, 29 units were transferred to Nagano Electric Railway, Chichibu Railway and Izukyu; meanwhile, 64 units were exported to Indonesia as secondhand trains. These exported trains have been used by a local railway company, PT. Kereta Commuter Indonesia.

Now, let's head to the main topic. Please look at the top photo. It’s 8618F… the last active set of the 8500 series in Indonesia. It’s kept in a good condition, isn’t it? When I lived in Jakarta from 2007 to 2011, I often used trains. I still clearly remember the time when 8618F arrived at Indonesia in 2008. I visited Bukit Duri Railyard on August 24th with several enthusiastic Indonesian railfans, and welcomed 8618F (see the photo below). 16 years have passed since then. Time really flies. The 8500 series' second life is coming to an end... but 8618F still remains on the track and carries lots of commuters every day. I would like to thank the local railway engineers in Indonesia, and hope it'll be operated as long as possible.

8618F has just arrived at Bukit Duri Railyard, Jakarta, Indonesia

(August 24th, 2008)

The 90th Anniversary of Hachiko Line: Part 2

JR East KiHa112-204 displays the 90th anniversary plate of the Hachiko line

You may remember that I posted about the 90th anniversary of Hachiko line last month. I am going to follow up this topic a little bit more today.

After observing the EMU E231-3000 series, which was displaying special memorial plates on the front and back of the train, I moved to the northern half section of the Hachiko line. As I posted before, the JR East Hachiko line is composed of two different sections. The southern section, between Hachioji and Komagawa (31 kilometers), is a commuter route in an urban area. It is electrified at 1,500 V DC. On the other hand, the northern section, between Komagawa and Kuragano (61 kilometers), is a local route in a suburban area. It is non-electrified. The DMU KiHa110 series is commissioned.

I found a train displaying the 90th anniversary plates on the northern half section of the Hachiko line as well. That was a 2-car train, KiHa111-204 and KiHa112-204 of the DMU KiHa110 series. Incidentally, KiHa110 series is composed of three types namely Type KiHa110, KiHa111 and KiHa112. What's the difference between three types? Type KiHa110 has two cabs, so, it is possible to be operated as a train with only one car. On the other hand, Type KiHa111 and KiHa112 have one cab only, so, they have to be operated as 2-car train or more. Type KiHa110 and KiHa111 have toilets; meanwhile, Type KiHa112 doesn’t have a toilet. Learning such subtle differences between trains is the pleasure for trainspotters like me.

Close up of the 90th anniversary plate

Tama Riverside Walking: Part 12, Minami-Tama

Set N24 of the EMU JR East E233-8000 series crosses Tama River

It’s November already. The weather has become cooler, so, it’s the best season for a stroll. I resumed walking along Tama River. My destination this time was Inagi City of Tokyo Metropolis. After getting off Minami-Tama station on the JR East Nambu line, I headed to Tama River.

Let me quickly review Inagi City to start. It’s located in the midstream of Tama River, and a new residential area developed in the 1970s. When I was a child, I sometimes came here with my school teacher and classmates for picking pears in autumn. My teacher told us that Inagi City is suitable for pear cultivation, because the land is well-drained. The main part of the city is situated on the Tama riverbed.

As soon as I started walking on the embankment, a 6-car train crossed the railway bridge. It was a northbound train, Set N24 of the EMU JR East E233-8000 series, on the Nambu line. All the trains on the Nambu line have stain-less steel bodies with yellow, orange and black-colored stripes. This train is familiar to me, but the figure of crossing Tama River is refreshing. I continued walking upstream. Three minutes later, a container train pulled by a blue-colored electric locomotive (EL) passed through another bridge for freight trains. It was Unit 337 of the Class EF210-300, "Momotaro", operated by JR Freight. I tried to shoot the whole train, but I was too optimistic. The train was longer than the railway bridge, so I couldn’t. Instead, I shot a close-up of the EL.

A container train pulled by a EL, Unit 137 of the Class JR Freight E210

New-colored Trains on the Daiyuzan Line

Set 5507 of the EMU Izu-Hakone 5000 series, Gentian Train

I can't take my eyes off the Daiyuzan line. New-colored trains were recently commissioned one after another. I am going to show you these beautiful trains today.

Let me quickly review the Dauyuzan line to start. The Daiyuzan line is operated by Izu-Hakone Railway, which is one of the Seibu Group companies. The route was opened in 1925 between Odawara and Daiyuzan stations to transport worshippers to the famous Saijo-ji Buddhist temple. Currently, the passengers are not only worshipers, but also local commuters and students going to Odawara, Yokohama, and other cities. The route length is 9.6 kilometers. The track is 1,067 mm-size single and electrified. The electric system is 1,500 V DC with an overhead line. Trains are operated every 12 minutes on average. 

Now, let's head to the main topic. Firstly, "Gentian Train" debuted on April 5th using Set 5507 of the EMU 5000 series. Gentian is the flower of Minami-Ashigara city on the Daiyuzan line. The purpose of Gentian Train is to promote tourism to this beautiful city. Its light-purple-colored body is gentle. "Orange Train" was then commissioned on August 29th using Set 5503 of the EMU 5000 series. Oranges are the specialty of Odawara City on the Daiyuzan line. The purpose of Orange Train is to promote tourism to this fruit city. Its body color is brilliant.

Incidentally, the EMU 5000 series is the main fleet of the Daiyuzan line. It was launched in 1984. A total of 7 sets, 21 units, are operated on the line.

Set 5503 of the EMU Izu-Hakone 5000 series, Orange Train

Official information about Gentian Train by Izu-Hakone Railway (in Japanesea):

https://www.izuhakone.co.jp/sunzudaiyu/sunzudaiyu-news/p010225_d/fil/railway_news_20240329.pdf

Official information about Orange Train by Izu-Hakone Railway (in Japanesea):

https://www.izuhakone.co.jp/izu-group/izu-news/railway_news_20240821_d/fil/railway_news_20240821.pdf

The 60th Anniversary of Tokyo Monorail

60th anniversary train, Set 10041 of the EMU Tokyo Monorail 10000 series

On September 17th, 2024, Tokyo Monorail Company celebrated the 60th anniversary of their Haneda Airport line. In commemoration, the company held several events.

Let me review the Haneda Airport line to start. It is an airport access monorail line from downtown Tokyo to Tokyo International Airport (Haneda). This route was opened in 1964 as the second oldest monorail line in Tokyo. There are 11 stations over a total operating length of 17.8 kilometers. The entire route is a double track. The electric system is 750V DC. The best thing about Tokyo Monorail is its high speed. The maximum train speed is 80 kilometers per hour. “Haneda Express” train connects Hamamatsu-cho in the downtown area and Haneda Airport International Terminal without stopping in only 13 minutes. This express train overtakes the local train at Showajima station.

In commemoration of the 60th anniversary, Tokyo Monorail has been operating a special-colored train since September 14th, using Set 10041 of the EMU 10000 series. The body color has been returned to the original state, which was adopted when the Haneda Airport line was opened. It is ivory-colored with light-blue and dark-blue-colored stripes. We can see the 60th anniversary sticker as well on the front of this train.

Incidentally, I still remember the 50th anniversary train on the Haneda Airport line in 2014. It was a special-colored EMU 1000 series train with red-colored stripes. That color design was taken from the EMU 500 series, which had already been retired from the track. Ten years have passed since then. Time really flies.

The 60th anniversary sticker of the Haneda Airport line, Tokyo Monorail

Official information about the 60th anniversary, Haneda Airport line, Tokyo Monorail (in Japanese):

https://www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/news/campaign/60th_anniversary/