It was already November. The air had turned crisp, making it an ideal season for a quiet walk. I resumed my regular strolls along the Tama River, and this time I chose Inagi City in western Tokyo as my destination. After getting off at Minami-Tama Station on JR East’s Nambu Line, I headed straight toward the riverbank.
Before continuing, let me briefly introduce Inagi City. Located along the middle reaches of the Tama River, it is a residential area that was largely developed in the 1970s. When I was a child, I occasionally visited this area with my schoolteacher and classmates for autumn pear picking. I remember being told that Inagi’s well-drained soil makes it suitable for pear cultivation. Much of the city spreads across the river terrace formed by the Tama River.
As soon as I stepped onto the embankment, a six-car EMU crossed the river on the Nambu Line bridge. It was a northbound service operated by Set N24 of the EMU JR East's E233-8000 series. This series is the mainstay of the Nambu Line today, featuring stainless-steel car bodies with the familiar yellow, orange, and black stripes. I see these trains almost every day, yet watching one glide across the wide Tama River offers a slightly different and refreshing impression.
I continued walking upstream at a relaxed pace. About three minutes later, a freight train appeared on the adjacent bridge reserved for freight traffic. Leading the train was a blue electric locomotive, Unit 337 of JR Freight's Class EF210-300, widely known by its nickname, “Momotaro.” I attempted to capture the entire consist in a single frame, but the container train was longer than the bridge itself. In the end, I focused on a close-up of the locomotive, highlighting its powerful yet clean-lined design.
