Merry Christmas, the Inokashira Line

"Merry Cristmas, Inokashira" plate on the front of the EMU Keio 1000 series

Following the “Merry Christmas” tramcar on the Toei-Arakawa line, I’m going to show you the other “Merry Christmas” train in Tokyo today.

I found Keio Electric Railway displaying a special plate on their train during the Christmas season. Please look at the photos. It’s Set 1729 of the EMU 1000 series. Set 1729 is a rare train on the Inokashira line. This unique set has a white colored front mask with a rainbow-colored stripe on the side body of the train. It was built by Tokyu Sharyo in 2009. The original front color was bluish green, but, was changed to white in 2012 to make it be a flagship train on the Inokashira line. Designed posters of several scenic spots on the line, such as Inokashira Park and Kanda River, are displayed on the body of this train. After looking a special rounded plate on the front of the train the other day, I was excited about enjoying this year’s Christmas. I then tried to shoot it at my favorite railway crossing near Higashi-Matsubara station, where we can get a forward lighting condition in the afternoon.

Incidentally, the Inokashira line is Keio's short commuter route connecting Shibuya and Kichijoji. Its line length is 12.7 kilometers. The track is 1,067 mm-size double. The electric system is 1,500 V DC. The EMU 1000 series is the sole model on the line. The commercial operation of the 1000 series started in 1996, as the first 20-meters long body train on the line.

Displaying "Merry Christmas" plate, Set 1729 travels on the Inokashira line

Merry Christmas, the Arakawa Line

Tramcar, Unit 9002 of the Toei 9000 series, displays "Merry Christmas" plate

Merry Christmas! How are you spending the Christmas holidays this year? Christmas is a religious event in many countries around the world, but Japanese people treat Christmas as a kind of entertainment. For instance, people enjoy Christmas lights, also known as winter illuminations, here and there in Tokyo.

Now, let's head to the main topic. I found that a tramcar on the Toei-Arakawa line is displaying special decorations during the Christmas season same as previous years. Please look at the photos. That’s so cute! This tramcar is Unit 9002 of the Toei 9000 series. The 9000 series is the retro-inspired model, which was commissioned in 2007. A total of 2 units were built by Aluna Sharyo. Each unit has a different body color, namely brownish-red (Unit 9001) and indigo-blue (Unit 9002). The electric control system is an IGBT-VVVF (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor-variable frequency drive) with two 60KW induction motors. Although the technical specification of the 9000 series is modernized, the exterior design and interior atmosphere of this model remains nostalgic. That's what's fun about it.

Incidentally, the Toei-Arakawa line is a precious survivor of the tram route in Tokyo. It’s operated by Bureau of Transportation, Tokyo Metropolitan Government (Toei). This tramline was once operated as two routes, named Routes 27 and 32; however, they were merged into one route, namely the Arakawa line, in 1974. Connecting Waseda and Minowabashi, its operating length is 12.2 kilometers. The track is 1,372 millimeters dual-gauge. The electric system is 600V DC.

Side view of tramcar Unit 9002 with Christmas decorations

Official information about the Christmas decoration of Unit 9002 by Bureau of Transportation, Tokyo Metropolitan Government (in Japanese):

https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/pickup_information/news/toden/2024/tdn_i_2024112911794_h.html

Preserved Keikyu Train in Zushi City

DeHa601 of the EMU Keikyu 600 series is preserved in Zushi Daiichi Sports Park

Sorry for jumping from one topic to another, but I am going to follow up my recent visit to the Yokosuka line a little bit more today.

After enjoying the suburban sceneries on the JR-East Yokosuka line, I visited Zushi Daiichi Sports Park near Higashi-Zushi station. My target was an old train, DeHa601 of the EMU Keikyu 600 series, preserved in the park. When you hear "the Keikyu 600 series" you may think of a currently active train, but today’s topic is the 600 series one generation ago. Please look at the photos. DeHa601 was built in 1956 by Tokyu Sharyo. The original name was DeHa701 of the EMU 700 series, but was changed the name to DeHa601 of the EMU 600 series in 1966. The 600 series was mainly operated as Kaitoku (limited express) trains. They were all motorcars. They were Keikyu’s first all-steel trains with a cardan jointed drive system. The interior was also unique. It has many box-seats and some long-seats. After operating for 28 years, DeHa601 was retired from the track in 1984, and moved to Zushi Daiichi Sports Park. I was fascinated with the frontal design of DeHa601. Its face looks like the JNR 80 series, Tobu 5700 series, Entetsu 30 series, Ooigawa 21000 series and so on. That’s truly the embodiment of the 1950s and 1960s decades. 

Incidentally, DeHa601 has been maintained by a local volunteers' group named "DeHa601 Preservation Society". I would like to thank everyone involved in preserving this train.

Interior of DeHa601

Dr. Multi: Seibu Inspection Car

Seibu's inspection car, "Dr. Multi", stands at HIgashi-Nagasaki station

I visited Higashi-Nagasaki on the Seibu-Ikebukuro line last week, as something came up. After finishing my meeting, I came across a rare train, “Dr. Multi”, at Higashi-Nagasaki station on my way home.

Let's take a quick look at Dr. Multi. It's an inspection car of Seibu Railway. Targets of the inspection are overhead wires and railway tracks. It was built in 2006 by Plasser & Theurer in Austria. The serial number is 164 of the EM120. It is 17.25 meters long, and weighs 54,000 kilograms. Inspection cars may remind you of JR Central’s Dr. Yellow, JR East’s East i, East i-E, Tokyu’s TOQi, Keio’s DAX, Odakyu’s Techno-inspector and so on. They are all operated as EMUs (Electric Multiple-Units). On the other hand, Dr. Multi is a single diesel rail-car. A pantograph is equipped, but it’s for inspection of the overhead wires, not for picking up electricity of the train. It’s like JR East’s East i-D, isn't it?

When I saw Dr. Multi at the station, it was roaring the diesel engine, and going back and forth on a sidetrack of the station yard. Several railway engineers were discussing seriously and checking equipment. Seibu doesn't release timetables of work trains, but I suppose that the inspection will be conducted in the middle of the night after the last train. Dr. Multi, get a good rest! Starting in the midnight, you'll be busy for inspection. I’m counting on you to do a great job. Good luck with your midnight work.

Side view of Dr. Multi

Marginal Section on the Yokosuka Line

EMU JR East E235-1000 series, 4-cars train, travels on the Yokosuka line

The JR East Yokosuka line is one of the longest commuting routes in the metropolitan area. The total length is about 70 kilometers. Furthermore, many trains are directly operated onto the Sobu Rapid line via Tokyo station, and head to Chiba, Kimitsyu, Narita Airport and so on.

I got on a southbound Yokosuka line train at Tokyo station the other day. The train passed through an underground track beneath overcrowded ground areas. My train was composed of 15 cars including two Green Cars (the first-class cars). The train, then, got out of the tunnel, and ran through urban business and residential areas in Tokyo Metropolis and Kanagawa Prefecture. The train still kept consisting of 15 cars. After leaving Zushi, however, the train entered a countryside on the marginal section. My train was composed of only 4 cars. I saw farms and forests beside the track. I got off the train at Higashi-zushi station, and enjoyed beautiful autumn leaves along the track (see the top photo). I could get relaxed on the marginal section of the Yokosuka line.

Incidentally, I came across a rare scene at Zushi station on my way home. Odakyu’s new train, Set 5064 of the EMU 5000 series, was standing at the station yard. Set 5064 had been just completed, and was on the way from J-TREC Yokohama Factory to a railyard on the Odakyu line via JR East line. I was very lucky, so, I shot it together with the EMU JR East E235-1000 series (see the photo below).

Set 5064 of the EMU Odakyu 5000 series (right) stands at JR East Zushi station

Randen-colored Train on the Enoden Line

Set 1002 of the EMU Enoden 1000 series, "Randen-colored train"

On October 14th, Enoden and Randen celebrated the 15th anniversary of their partnership. In commemoration, Enoden started operating "Randen-colored train" as a token of friendship on September 4th.

Let me review Enoden and Randen to start. Enoden is a local railway line in Kamakura and Fujisawa cities, which are located about 40 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. It is operated by Enoshima Electric Railway Company. The route length is 10 kilometers. On the other hand, Randen is a tram route in Kyoto City, which is located about 500 kilometers west of Tokyo. It is operated by Keifuku Electric Railway Company. The route length is 11 kilometers. Both Enoden and Randen are convenient modes of transportation to get around these historical sightseeing cities. The two companies established a partnership in 2009, and have been working together to promote tourism and attract passengers to each other.

Now, let's head to the main topic. "Randen-colored train" on the Enoden line is Set 1002 of the EMU Enoden 1000 series. This train has special-colored bodies named Kyo-murasaki (Kyoto-purple) color. As you may know, Kyo-murasaki is the body color of Randen trains. This light-purple color appeared in 2010 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Randen. It is subdued and beautiful! The train and the historical city naturally blend together. "Randen-colored train" displays a partnership plate on the front of the train (see the photo below).

On the other hand, Randen operates "Enoden-colored train" in Kyoto City in parallel. I would like to report it someday.

Commemorative plate of partnership between Enoden and Randen

Official website, Enoden-Randen partnership (in Japanese):

https://www.enoden.co.jp/enoden-randen/

Happy Rainbow Train on the Ina Line

Happy Rainbow Train comes down from Maruyama Depot

On November 30th, a new train debuted on the Ina line of the New Shuttle. It is the 6th set (Set 26) of the EMU 2020 series, named “Happy Rainbow Train”.

Let me review the New Shuttle to start. It's a rubber-tyred automated guideway transit (AGT) system in Saitama Prefecture, about 30 kilometers north of Tokyo. The formal name is the Ina line of Saitama New Urban Transit Company. Connecting Omiya and Uchijuku, its operating length is 12.7 kilometers. The whole line was opened in 1983 beside the JR East's Shinkansen track. The route is mostly double, but partly single. The power supply is 600V three-phase alternate current. Instead of an overhead catenary, three rigid wires are installed along the track. You can see three rigid wires for power supply and a guide rail in the top photo.

Now, let's head to the main topic. As its name suggests, Happy Rainbow Train (Set 26) has rainbow-colored bodies. It is different from the preexisting 2020 series trains, such as Set 22, 23 and 25. Regarding the interior, wheelchair spaces and priority seats were expanded. The heating and ventilation systems were also reinforced. When I visited the Ina line, Happy Rainbow Train was being “slept”, and kept in Maruyama Depot. That's a pity… but, 5 minutes later, the situation drastically changed. The front lights turned on and it came down from the depot. Happy Rainbow Train "squirmed" its body (see the top photo), and headed to the main track (see the photo below). Lucky me!

Happy Rainbow Train heads to the main track of the Ina line

Official website for commentary of the New Shuttle (in Japanese):

https://www.new-shuttle.jp/newshuttle_atraction/

Model Railway Museum in Yokohama City

Diorama of Hara Model Railway Museum in Yokohama City

Do you like model trains? My answer is yes. I like them, and have some N-scale model trains, but… my problem is to secure a place for a diorama. As you may know, Tokyo is a super high-density city. The average houses in Tokyo are called “rabbit hutches”. My house is no exception. It's literally just a dream to make my own diorama.

Instead of making my diorama, I recently visited Hara Model Railway Museum in Yokohama City, and enjoyed an eye candy. This museum was opened by Hara Nobutaro (1919-2014) in 2012. He was world-renowned model railway maker and collector. The huge railway model and railway-related collections are open to the public. At this museum, many model trains of the first gauge (scale about 1/32) run on a large diorama.

Please look at the top photo. A two toned of red and gray locomotive is pulling coaches. That is the Class V200, a diesel-hydraulic express locomotive of the German Deutsche Bundesbahn. I have never seen the real one, but was fascinated this classic locomotive. Cool! Next, please look at the photo below. You can see a locomotive, which has two-toned of beige and red body is travelling on the elevated track. That is the electric locomotive Class Deutsche Bahn E03. Cool! What is more interesting is that Japanese trains, such as the electric car Tokyu DeHa 200, are running in front of the German locomotive. It is so fun watching this happen. I enjoyed the diorama-specific scenery.

A German train and Japanese trains run on the same diorama

Official website, Hara Model Railway Museum (in Japanese):

https://www.hara-mrm.com/

Aloha Train on the Izukyu Line

EMU Izukyu 3000 series, Aloha Train, arrives at JR East Atami station

I recently visited Atami City in Shizuoka Prefecture as a family travel. I was basically refraining from trainspotting, but I couldn’t hold it any longer when we arrived at Atami station. The reason why is because I came across Izukyu’s “Aloha Train”.

Let me review Izukyu to start. Izukyu is a private railway based on the Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture. Connecting Ito and Izukyu-Shimoda, the operating length is 45.7 kilometers. It was opened in 1961 as a sightseeing line to promote tourism to the Izu Peninsula. The track is single and electrified. The electric system is 1,500 V DC. Many trains on the Izukyu line are directly operated onto the JR lines, and operated to Atami, Tokyo and others.

Now, let's head to the main topic. Aloha Train, namely EMU Izukyu 3000 series, is the newest model on the line. It was moved from JR East lines in 2022. The former name was the EMU JR East 209-2100 series. It was operated in the Chiba area such as the Uchibo and Sotobo lines. One set was originally composed of 6-cars (4M2T), but decreased to 4 cars (2M2T) before moving to Izukyu. It has stainless-steel bodies. The ocean-side is designed in blue color; while the mountain-side is in red color. There are many sea-turtles printed on the bodies of the train. The electric control system is an IGBT-VVVF (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor-variable frequency drive) with 95kW induction motors. I hope that the 3000 series will be cherished by the hometown folks. Aloha!

EMU Izukyu 3000 series, Aloha Train, stands at JR East Atami station

Official information about the Izukyu trains (in Japanese):

https://www.izukyu.co.jp/train/train.php