Preserved Mini Electric Locomotive in Fuchu City

Unit 1 of the electric locomotive Class JNR EB10 preserved in Fuchu City

Fuchu City is located in the western part of Tokyo Metropolis, about 30 kilometers west of central Tokyo. It has a population of around 260,000, making it the third largest among the 25 cities in the metropolis. The city is known for several famous spots such as Tokyo Racecourse, but my favorite place is Traffic Park, where visitors can see many valuable historical vehicles.

Among them, my favorite exhibit is Unit 1 of the Class EB10 (hereafter EB10 1). The EB10 was developed in 1927 by the Ministry of Railways (later Japanese National Railways) as Japan’s first accumulator (rechargeable battery) locomotive, originally named the Class AB10. It was operated on the Suka Line in Tokyo. Two units were built by Kisha Seizo and Shibaura Denki, and the accumulator was manufactured by Yuasa.

Why was an accumulator locomotive needed in the first place? Good question! There was a gunpowder factory along the Suka Line at that time, and using steam locomotives was considered dangerous due to the risk of fire.

Although it was state-of-the-art when built, the AB10 was later converted in 1931 into a standard direct-current electric locomotive, reclassified as the Class EB10, when the Suka Line was electrified. The EB10 operated on 1,500 volts DC and had an axle arrangement of Ao-Ao. It measured 8.2 meters in length and weighed 22,640 kilograms, with a maximum speed of 40 kilometers per hour.

EB10 1 was retired from regular service in 1971 and brought to Fuchu City for preservation. Since then, this small but charming electric locomotive has been carefully maintained in good condition.

Side view of Unit 1 of the Class JNR EB10

Official information about Fuchu City Traffic Park (machine translation):

https://honyaku.j-server.com/LUCFUCHU/ns/tl.cgi/https%3a//www.city.fuchu.tokyo.jp/shisetu/kankyo/koen/kotuyuen.html?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XCHARSET=UTF-8&XJSID=0

Timetable Disruption on the Odakyu Line

Platform display at Chitose-Funabashi station on the Odakyu line

The other day, I headed to Shinjuku to take care of some personal business. When I arrived at my nearest station on the Odakyu Line, I immediately noticed something unusual. Many passengers were standing around the concourse, looking puzzled. Was something wrong?

When I looked up at the platform display, I finally understood the reason. Please take a look at the top photo. The trains were heavily delayed. It was already past 11 o’clock, yet the train scheduled to leave at 9:43 had not even arrived at the station. To make matters worse, the next train’s destination wasn’t Shinjuku but Kyodo — just one station away. Due to a signal system malfunction, train service between Kyodo Station and Shinjuku Terminal had been suspended.

But please don’t worry — railfans are always optimistic! I’m one of them, too. I quickly changed my mindset and decided to make the best of the situation. First, I took a photo of the platform display showing the rare destination “Kyodo.” Then I moved on to Kyodo Station, looking for more unusual scenes. Please take a look at the photo below. It might look ordinary at first glance — an Odakyu 3000 series EMU running on the track — but for me, it was a little treasure. The train was switching from the express track (on the left) to the local track (on the right), a sight I rarely see at this station.

I couldn’t finish my personal business as planned that day, but I was satisfied — after all, I got to witness some rare and fascinating railway scenes.

Odakyu 3000 series EMU changing tracks at Kyodo station

New Year Scene on the Haneda Airport Line

Tokyo Monorail EMU 10000 series trainset 10081 with a New Year plate

It’s already late January—time really flies. Before we say goodbye to the first month of 2025, I’d like to share one more scene from Tokyo’s railways during the New Year season.

Please take a look at the top photo. You can see a Tokyo Monorail train with a yellow plate on the front. This is trainset 10081 of the EMU Tokyo Monorail 10000 series, running along the Haneda Airport Line.

Let me briefly review the line. The Haneda Airport Line is a monorail route connecting downtown Tokyo with Tokyo International Airport (Haneda). It opened in 1964, making it the second-oldest monorail line in the Tokyo area. The 10000 series is the newest generation, consisting of six cars. Its body is made of aluminum and features bolsterless bogies. The trains are equipped with IGBT–VVVF (variable-frequency drive) control systems, and the green stripe above the windows adds a refreshing touch to their appearance.

The yellow front plate is especially eye-catching—it displays “2025” in a design inspired by snakes, as this year marks the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac.

Meanwhile, the photo below shows trainset 10041 of the same series. Its body color has been restored to the original design used when the Haneda Airport Line first opened. On the front, it carries another type of plate celebrating the 2025 New Year.

In the background, you can spot the Tokyo Skytree, a 634-meter-tall broadcasting tower that stands about 14 kilometers northeast of the line. It’s well known as the tallest freestanding broadcasting tower in the world.

Trainset 10041 (foreground) and Tokyo Skytree (background)

Lake-Ocean View in Hakone

Gondora "Ashinoko" of the Komagatake Ropeway

You may remember my visit to Hakone, which I introduced to you last November. Today, I’d like to show you another precious view from the summit of Mt. Komagatake.

Please look at the photo below. You can see two different water surfaces. What are they? They are a lake and the ocean. The one in the foreground is Lake Ashinoko, while the one in the background is the Pacific Ocean. It’s quite a rare view, isn’t it?

As far as I know, there are several places in Japan where you can see both a lake and the sea at the same time. For example, you can view Lake Saroma and the Sea of Okhotsk together on Hokkaido Island—but those two are actually connected. In other words, the difference in elevation between their water surfaces is zero meters. In contrast, the elevation difference between Lake Ashinoko and the Pacific Ocean is about 723 meters. Doesn’t it seem as if the water from the lake could easily leak out? According to specialists, Lake Ashinoko is a caldera lake formed in the Hakone Mountains. This means that it is surrounded by hard, dense volcanic rock. I truly enjoyed this unique and dynamic view from Mt. Komagatake.

Well, I can’t finish here, since this is a transportation blog. Taking this opportunity, let me also introduce another gondola, Ashinoko (No. 1). Along with “Komagatake (Number 2)”, Ashinoko was built by CWA in 1986 and can accommodate up to 101 passengers. The Komagatake Ropeway has been operated by an automatic control system since 1990.

Lake Ashinoko (foreground) and the Pacific Ocean (background)

Hakone-Komagatake Ropeway (in Japanese):

https://www.princehotels.co.jp/amuse/hakone-en/ropeway/

The 55th Anniversary of the Seibu-Chichibu Line

The “55th Anniversary Train” of the Seibu-Chichibu Line

On October 14th, 2024, Seibu Railway celebrated the 55th anniversary of the Seibu-Chichibu Line. To commemorate this milestone, the company held several special events.

Let me start with a brief review of the Seibu-Chichibu Line. This mountain railway runs through the Chichibu Mountains, located in the northwestern part of the Tokyo metropolitan area. Connecting Agano and Seibu-Chichibu, the line is 19 kilometers long. It consists mostly of single track and is electrified at 1,500 V DC with a gauge of 1,067 millimeters.

The route was opened on October 14th, 1969, to serve both tourists and cement transportation. For your reference, Mt. Buko in the Chichibu area is well known for its limestone production, a key material used in cement. The limited express train “Laview (EMU 001 series)” and the local train (EMU 4000 series)” are the main rolling stock currently operated on the line.

Now, let’s move on to the main topic. On November 11th, 2024, Seibu began operating a special “55th Anniversary Train” on the Seibu-Chichibu Line. The train uses set 4017 of the EMU 4000 series, painted in an eye-catching red and beige livery. According to Seibu, this color scheme was inspired by the Class E851 electric locomotive, which once operated on the Seibu-Chichibu Line until its retirement in 1996.

The E851 was a Bo+Bo+Bo-type DC electric locomotive equipped with six 425 kW motors. In its prime, it could haul 1,000-ton cement trains in double-heading operation. You can get an idea of its powerful appearance from the replica displayed at Seibu-Chichibu Station (see the photo below). The E851 is on the left.

Congratulations to the Seibu-Chichibu Line on its 55th anniversary!

Replica of Seibu’s Class E851 electric locomotive (left)

Official information about the 55th anniversary Train (in Japanese):

https://www.seiburailway.jp/file.jsp?newsroom/news/file/20241108_4000e851.pdf

New Year Scene on the Inokashira Line

Set 1751 of the EMU Keio 1000 series arrives at Shimokitazawa station

In Japan, people usually spend the New Year holidays with their families, and I’m no exception. I visited my mother’s house in Suginami Ward on New Year’s Day and had a wonderful time with her and my family.

The next day, I went to Omiya-Hachiman Shrine near my mother’s house to pray for a healthy and prosperous year. Omiya-Hachiman was founded in 1063 to ward off evil spirits. After praying, I happened to see a New Year ceremony called Hikime-no-gi being held at the archery range in the precincts. When the special arrow was shot, it cut through the air with a sharp “whoosh,” a sound said to drive away evil. I fully enjoyed watching this traditional event.

To reach this historic shrine, the nearest station is Nishi-Eifuku on the Keio Inokashira Line. Following the “Merry Christmas” headmark, a train on the Inokashira Line was now displaying a “Geishun” (New Year’s greeting) plate on the front for the season. It was Set 1751 of the EMU Keio 1000 series. Set 1751, introduced in 1996 as the very first of the series, has a bluish-green face.

By the way, here’s a small delight for old-school trainspotters. The 1000 series trains vary not only in their front colors but also in their details. For example, the early 15 sets, including Set 1751, have boxy destination indicators on the front, while the later 14 sets feature smooth ones. Finding such subtle differences between trainsets is one of the greatest pleasures for railfans like me.

Hikime-no-gi ceremony held at Omiya-Hachiman Shrine near Nishi-Eifuku Station

Green Cars for Free

JR East double-decker Green Cars (first-class coaches), Types SaRo E233 & E232

You may remember when I introduced the test run of Green Cars on the JR East Chuo Rapid line three years ago. So, what has happened with this project since then?

Let me briefly review the Chuo Rapid Line and the Green Car project. The Chuo Rapid Line is one of the busiest railways in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Even though 10-car trains run every two minutes during rush hour, they are still extremely crowded. JR East couldn’t just stand by. To ease congestion, the company planned to add two cars to each trainset. These two cars would not be standard cars, but Green Cars—first-class coaches. Why? Because many commuters are eager to secure a seat on their way to and from work, even if it costs extra. It’s also beneficial for the railway company, as it helps increase revenue. A win-win solution, isn’t it?

Now, let’s move on to the main topic. JR East began operating trains with Green Cars on October 13th, 2024. Surprisingly, there is no Green Car surcharge! Here’s the gimmick: it’s a campaign designed to attract future Green Car users. For that purpose, all Green Cars on the Chuo Rapid Line will be free of charge until March 14th, 2025. Many passengers are now enjoying the luxurious ride at no cost—and I’m one of them. In the Green Car, I can simply relax, read a book, or listen to music with a soft drink in hand. Green Cars on the Chuo Rapid Line… it’s a kind of petit zeitaku—a small luxury—for Tokyoites, isn’t it?

Interior of the Green Cars on the JR East Chuo Rapid Line

Official information about the Green Car project by JR East (in Japanese):

https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2024/20240910_ho02.pdf

Extra Rare Train on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line

Set 9109 (8-car train) of the Tokyo Metro 9000 series 

As a trainspotter, it’s always fun for me to come across rare trains on the tracks. No matter what troubles I face, spotting a rare train instantly lifts my spirits. Trainspotters are carefree people, aren’t we? Today, I’d like to introduce a surefire topic for old-school trainspotters like me.

The subway Tokyo Metro Namboku Line penetrates Tokyo Metropolis from south to north. Connecting Meguro and Akabane-Iwabuchi, the total operating length is 21.3 kilometers. Many trains run through onto the Tokyu Meguro Line, the Saitama Railway Line, and other lines. In addition, the section between Meguro and Shirokane-Takanawa is shared with the Toei Mita line.

To keep the Namboku Line service on schedule, Tokyo Metro operates a total of 23 trainsets. They all appear to be 6-car trains, but there is one exception if you look closely. That’s Set 9109 of the EMU 9000 series, which is composed of 8 cars. You can confirm it simply by counting the air-conditioning units on the train’s roof (see the photo below). Set 9109 was originally built in 1995 as a 6-car train. Two new cars were added later, making it an 8-car train in 2023.

According to Tokyo Metro, 14 more trainsets are planned to be lengthened from 6 to 8 cars to increase transport capacity; however, I haven’t heard any updates recently. As a result, Set 9109 remains an extra rare 8-car trainset for now. It’s really enjoyable for me to notice such subtle differences among these trains.

Set 9109 (8-car train) traveling on the Tokyu Meguro Line

Revisit to a Point of Interest in Kobe City

EMU Kobe Municipal Subway 6000 series arrives at Sannomiya station

I visited Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture for the first time in a while. It was a small trip in which I tried to trace some of my old memories.

Let me briefly review Kobe to start. Kobe is the main city of Hyogo Prefecture, located about 600 kilometers west of Tokyo. The city has a population of about 1.5 million. It was opened as a trading port in 1868. After the opening of Kobe Port, many foreigners moved to the area, forming the Ijinkan district, which is now a popular sightseeing spot.

I revisited Kazamidori-no-Yakata (the Weathercock House) in the Ijinkan district for the first time in 11 years. This mansion was built in 1904 by a German merchant, Gottfried Thomas. When I visited in 2013, it was crowded with sightseers, but this time the area was very quiet. Why? Because the building was undergoing renovation work to improve its earthquake resistance. Instead of entering, I simply enjoyed the beautifully illuminated exterior—oh well.

To reach the Weathercock House, the nearest station is Shin-Kobe on the Seishin–Yamate Line of the Kobe Municipal Subway. When I rode this line in the past, the oldest model, the EMU 1000 series, was still in operation, but this time I couldn’t find it anymore. I came across the latest model, the EMU 6000 series, instead. The 6000 series was introduced in 2019, replacing the EMU 1000 and 2000 series and others. I realized I didn’t know any familiar trainsets on the Seishin–Yamate Line anymore. I guess I couldn’t keep up with the flow of time.

Kazamidori-no-yakata (Weathercock House) near Shin-Kobe station

Preserved Locomotive in Nirasaki City

Electric locomotive JNR EF15 198 is preserved in Nirasaki Central Park

Happy New Year! The year 2025 has begun. I wish all railfans around the world health and happiness over this festive period and for 2025. At the opening of New Year, I’m going to show you a beautifully preserved locomotive in Nirasaki Central Park, Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture about 150 kilometers west of Tokyo.

The Class EF15 is a 1,500V direct current electric locomotive with an axis arrangement 1C+C1 (AAR wheel arrangement). It was developed by Ministry of Transport in 1947 for pulling freight trains. A total of 202 units were built, but currently only 4 units are preserved in the country. The EF15 is 17 meters long, and weighs 102 tons. The maximum speed was 75 kilometers per hour. Unit 198 (see the top photo) was built by Toyo Denki and Kisha Seizo in 1958. After operating for 28 years on the Japanese National Railways (JNR) lines, it was retired from the track in 1986 as the final survivor of the EF15. Its total driving distance was 2.12 million kilometers. Please compare with the Class EF57, which I showed you last November.

I’m not done yet. Please look at the photo below next. You can see 4 freight cars behind Unit 198. They are 3 open wagons named ToRa70000, and a caboose Yo5000.  ToRa70000 was JNR’s standard open wagon. A total of 5100 units were built, but currently only 13 units survive. ToRa701 and ToRa702 on the Mojiko Retro Sightseeing line are precious survivors of the JNR ToRa70000 after renovation.

Caboose JNR Yo5000 and open wagons JNR ToRa70000