Preserved Locomotive in Tokorozawa City

Locomotive unit B15 of the Seibu Class B11 is preserved in Tokorozawa City

You may remember when I introduced the Seibu Yamaguchi Line in 2014 and again in 2023. Today, I’d like to add a small supplement to that topic.

Let’s start with a brief review of the Seibu Yamaguchi Line. It is a rubber-tyred Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) system that runs along the border between Tokyo Metropolis and Tokorozawa City in Saitama Prefecture. The line is only 2.8 kilometers long, connecting Tamako (Lake Tama) and Seibu-Kyujo-mae (Seibu Baseball Stadium) stations. The Yamaguchi Line opened in 1985 as Japan’s fifth AGT route. The entire line is an electrified single track with one signal station for train passing. Its power supply is 750V DC, using a third rail.

Now, let’s look back on the history of the Seibu Yamaguchi Line before it became an AGT route. The original line opened in 1950 as an attraction railway called Otogi Densha (“Fairy Train”) inside an amusement park. It was later formalized as a regular railway, renamed the Yamaguchi Line, under the Railway Business Act in 1952.

At that time, the main locomotive type was the Class B11. A total of five units were built by the Seibu Tokorozawa Factory and Nakajima Electric Cars. These were accumulator (battery-powered) locomotives with a 0-4-0 wheel arrangement (Whyte notation), each equipped with two 11 kW DC motors. The batteries were manufactured by Yuasa.

Today, unit B15 of the Class B11 is preserved in front of the “Emi Terrace” shopping mall in Tokorozawa City. Emi Terrace was constructed on the site of the former Seibu Tokorozawa Factory — the very birthplace of unit B15. It’s truly a homecoming for this little locomotive, isn’t it?

Old photos of Seibu Class B11 locomotives are displayed in Emi Terrace

Plum Festival on the Keio Line

Set 8714 travels on the Keio Line, displaying the “Mogusaen Plum Festival” plate

We had a rather cold winter this year. Because of the low temperatures, plum trees started blooming one to three weeks later than usual. Mogusaen Garden in Hino City was no exception. Normally, the plums in this garden reach full bloom in mid-February, but they haven’t done so yet this year. Instead, I enjoyed the tsurushi-bina decorations displayed in a hermitage within the garden (see the photo below). For your information, tsurushi-bina is a Japanese tradition in which ornamental dolls are hung on strings for Girls' Day, also known as the Doll's Festival.

To visit this plum garden, the nearest railway station is Mogusaen on the Keio Line. During the plum-blossom season, Keio Electric Railway operates a train with a special head plate on the line to promote tourism to Mogusaen. It is trainset 8714 of the EMU 8000 series. The large plum-blossom-shaped plate on the front of the train makes me feel the arrival of spring.

The 8000 series was introduced in 1992 as Keio’s first train to adopt a variable frequency drive (VFD) control system. As you may know, the rotational speed and torque of induction motors are adjusted through frequency and voltage in this system. Together with a regenerative braking system and reduced vehicle weight, the electricity consumption of the 8000 series was cut by about 45 percent compared with its predecessors.

Finally, please take a look at my previous posts as well about other famous plum gardens and groves in the metropolitan area, such as Taura Ume-no-sato, Haruna Plum Grove, and Ikegami Plum Garden, if you have time.

Tsurushi-bina decorations displayed in a hermitage of Mogusaen Garden

Serving a Double Purpose on the Chuo Line

EMU JR East E353 series crossing the Tamagawa Bridge 

There is a Japanese proverb that says isseki nicho — “killing two birds with one stone.” As a non-native English speaker, I didn’t know until recently that this proverb actually originated in England. Today, I’d like to post a story related to this saying… but I’ll choose the softer expression “serving a double purpose,” because I don’t want to kill any birds.

Enough with the preface — let’s move on to the main topic. I recently visited the Tamagawa Bridge on the JR East Chuo Line for the first time in three years. What was the purpose of my visit? First, I wanted to photograph trains crossing the bridge. Please look at the top photo. That’s the EMU JR East E353 series, the limited express Azusa. It features a special air-suspension tilting system that allows it to maintain high speed through tight curves in the mountainous areas. Its maximum operating speed is 130 kilometers per hour — cool, isn’t it?

After enjoying train photography, I turned to another of my hobbies: fossil collecting. As I have written before, it’s been my lifelong passion. I’ve been visiting fossil localities in the metropolitan area since I was a boy. The riverbed near Tamagawa Bridge is one of my favorites. There, you can observe fossiliferous layers of the Renkoji Formation — young shallow-marine sediments deposited about 1.3 million years ago. Please take a look at the photo below. That was my find of the day: Akanishi (Rapana venosa). The spines on its shell are really striking!

So, I served a double purpose on the Chuo Line.

Fossil “Akanishi” (Rapana venosa) found near the bridge

Official information on the EMU E353 series by JR East:

https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/traininformation/azusa_kaiji/index.html

Official information on the EMU E353 series by J-TREC (in Japanese):

https://www.j-trec.co.jp/company/070/04/jtr04_100-105.pdf

Classic Diesel Railcar on the Ryugasaki Line

Unit KiHa 532 of the Kantetsu KiHa 532 series diesel railcar

I thought I had already introduced all of the trains in the metropolitan area on this blog, but it seems there are still some left. Describing trains in this region is truly endless. Today, I’d like to show you one of such rolling stock — the KiHa 532 series diesel railcar on the Ryugasaki Line in Ryugasaki City.

To start, let me briefly review Ryugasaki City and the Ryugasaki Line.

Ryugasaki City, located about 50 kilometers northeast of Tokyo in Ibaraki Prefecture, has been developed as a commuter city since the 1970s. The Ryugasaki Line of the Kanto Railway Company (Kantetsu) is a 4.5-kilometer-long route connecting Sanuki and Ryugasaki stations within the city. The track is single and non-electrified, with diesel railcars operating every 30 minutes.

Now, let’s move on to the main topic. I found a classic vehicle running on this line — unit KiHa 532 of the Kantetsu KiHa 532 series (see the top photo). This model was introduced to the Ryugasaki Line in 1981. Its body was newly built by Niigata Engineering, while the mechanical equipment was reused from the former JNR’s KiHa 20 series. Only one unit is in operation on the line.

To my delight, Kantetsu even publishes the operating schedule of the KiHa 532 series on its website. It often runs on Saturdays, which is very helpful for train spotters like me — no more regrets such as, “I went all the way to the Ryugasaki Line, but the KiHa 532 wasn’t running today!” I could fully enjoy the nostalgic ride, including its retro-style interior (see the photo below).

Interior of the KiHa 532 series

Offcial information about the rollingstock of Kanto Railway (in Japanese):

https://www.kantetsu.co.jp/train/traincar

Keisei Skyliner AE Series: Over 50 Million Passengers

EMU Keisei AE series Skyliner displaying a gold-colored commemorative sticker

It’s a bit of old news, but the passengers of the third-generation Keisei Skyliner exceeded 50 million on June 9th last year. I’d like to bring up this topic today.

Let’s start with a quick look at the Skyliner. It’s an airport access train that connects central Tokyo with New Tokyo International (Narita) Airport. The current Skyliner, officially known as the EMU AE series, was introduced in 2010 to replace the previous model, the AE100 series.

The AE series is an electric multiple unit designed for 1,435-millimeter gauge and 1,500 V DC track. A total of eight trainsets, consisting of 64 cars, were built by Nippon Sharyo and Tokyu Sharyo. Each trainset is composed of six motorcars and two trailers (6M2T). The traction system uses an IGBT–VVVF (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor – variable frequency drive) inverter controlling 175 kW induction motors. The AE series can reach a maximum speed of 160 km/h, making it the fastest train in Japan apart from the Shinkansen.

The AE series reached 20 million passengers in September 2016, 25 million in November 2017, and 45 million in October 2023. The period between the 45 millionth and the 50 millionth passenger milestones (June 2024) was only eight months. To celebrate the achievement, Keisei Electric Railway held a commemorative ceremony at Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station. The 50 millionth passenger was a Japanese mother accompanied by her two little daughters.

At present, one of the AE series trainsets, namely AE2, bears a gold-colored commemorative sticker on its front. Congratulations to the Keisei Skyliner for reaching the 50 million-passenger mark!

Side view of the “50 Million Passengers” commemorative Skyliner

Official information about Keisei Skyliner:

https://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/skyliner/index.php

Official announcement about the 50 million passengers of the EMU Keisei AE series (in Japanese):

https://www.keisei.co.jp/cms/files/keisei/MASTER/0110/JhGckcB5.pdf

The 55th Anniversary of Tora-san

“The 55th Anniversary of Tora-san” train arrives at Shibamata Station

“Otoko wa Tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man)” is a beloved Japanese film series released from 1969 to 1995, starring Kiyoshi Atsumi. The main character, Tora-san, played by Atsumi, is a kind-hearted vagabond who is always unlucky in love. He works as a street vendor, traveling from place to place, where he meets beautiful “madonnas” and causes innocent ruckuses.

Tora-san is an unlikely hero — lazy, poorly educated, yet deeply human. Despite his flaws, he is loved by local people for his warmth and sincerity. His family home was in Shibamata, located along the Keisei Kanamachi Line. In front of Shibamata Station, you can find a bronze statue of Tora-san (see the photo below).

Last year, Shibamata celebrated the 55th anniversary of Tora-san. To commemorate the occasion, Keisei Electric Railway has been operating a special anniversary train until March 23, 2025. On the front of the train, you can see a commemorative plate marking “The 55th Anniversary of Tora-san.” This plate also celebrates “The 115th Anniversary of Keisei Electric Railway.” The four-car train, set 3668 of the EMU 3600 series, slowly passes through Tora-san’s hometown (see the top photo).

Incidentally, the Keisei 3600 series EMU is a standard commuter train first introduced in 1982. A total of nine sets (54 cars) were built by Tokyu Sharyo and Nippon Sharyo. Today, only two sets (10 cars) remain in service. The trains were originally equipped with a field chopper control system, but set 3668 was later converted to a GTO-VVVF (Gate Turn-Off Thyristor Variable Frequency Drive) system in 1999. It’s quite a rare train to see nowadays.

Bronze statue of Tora-san in front of Shibamata Station

Official information (in Japanese):

https://www.keisei.co.jp/cms/files/keisei/MASTER/0110/Pwy4ScrH.pdf

Aerial Tramway for Pilgrims

Tairyuji Ropeway in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku Island

Shikoku is the fourth largest island in Japan, located about 800 kilometers west of Tokyo. The Shikoku Pilgrimage is a unique spiritual journey to 88 Buddhist temples scattered across the island. Walking the entire route from one temple to the next adds up to more than 1,400 kilometers. It may sound daunting, but please don’t worry — pilgrims are free to use public transportation along the way if they wish.

Tairyuji Temple in Tokushima Prefecture is a good example. Perched near a steep mountain summit 618 meters above sea level, it can be reached conveniently by the Tairyuji Ropeway. This aerial tramway, operated by Shikoku Cable Company, opened in 1992. It’s a four-cable, cross-type system connecting Washinosato and Sancho stations. The route is 2,775 meters long, with a height difference of 422 meters and a maximum incline of 30 degrees. Swiss-made gondolas operate every 20 minutes, taking about 10 minutes for a one-way trip. Each gondola can carry up to 101 passengers.

There are two support towers along the route. The first tower, standing 42 meters tall, is the highest of its kind in the world. I observed this impressive structure on my way to the temple. That morning, the mountaintop was lightly dusted with snow, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. Incidentally, I wasn’t a pilgrim but simply a tourist. I must admit — I’m a bit of a wimp, so I didn’t dare to attempt the 1,400-kilometer pilgrimage!

The first strut of Tairyuji Ropeway

Official Website, Tairyuji RopewayーShikoku Cable Company (in Japanese):

http://www.shikoku-cable.co.jp/tairyuji/index.html

Encounter with the Rare Train: EMU E257-5000 Series

Set OM-93 of the JR East EMU E257-5000 series, non-gangway side

Today, I’d like to share a topic for old-school trainspotters. The E257-5000 series is JR East’s rolling stock used for extra train services, mainly operated on weekends and during holiday seasons. This model was originally introduced as the EMU E257-0 series, which served as the Azusa and Kaiji limited express trains on the Chuo Main Line.

After nearly 20 years in operation, three trainsets—27 cars in total—were modified into the E257-5000 series in 2021 at JR East’s Nagano Factory. These are sets OM-91, OM-92, and OM-93. Each trainset consists of five motorcars and four trailers (5M4T).

So, what are the differences between the older E257-0 and the newer E257-5000 series? Basically, they are the same type, but the new version features a different color scheme. The E257-5000 wears fresh green-colored stripes. In addition, it is equipped with baggage spaces for passenger convenience.

I happened to encounter set OM-93 at Tokyo Station last August. It was operating as the extra train Atami Fireworks Festival. As the name suggests, this train carried passengers heading to Atami City to enjoy the fireworks, running on the Tokaido Main Line.

I was delighted to observe the “two different faces” of this train. The southern end has no gangway (see the top photo), while the northern end is equipped with one (see the photo below). Discovering such subtle differences is one of the greatest pleasures for trainspotters like me.

If you have time, please also take a look at my previous posts about the EMU E257-2000 and E257-5500.

Set OM-93 of the JR East EMU E257-5000 series, gangway side

Winter Scenery on the Keikyu Line

Interior of the “Wing Seat” car, EMU Keikyu 2100 series

It’s still cold in Tokyo. The daytime high is around 10 degrees Celsius, but the sunlight is gradually getting stronger. I couldn’t just stay fidgeting at home, so I went out with my family over the weekend. Our destination was the Nobi Coast on the Keikyu Kurihama Line.

Let me start with a brief review of the Keikyu network. Keikyu is one of the major private railway companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Its network stretches 87 kilometers across the southern part of Tokyo Metropolis and the northern part of Kanagawa Prefecture. Keikyu faces strong competition from Tokyo Monorail on the route between central Tokyo and Tokyo International Airport (Haneda). In addition, it also competes with JR East on the section between downtown Tokyo and the Yokohama–Yokosuka area. The key factors that influence passengers when choosing a route are fares, speed, and service.

We took the Keikyu Main Line from Shinagawa Terminal because it’s convenient, fast, and reasonably priced. To ensure we had comfortable cross seats, we reserved “Wing Seats” (see the top photo) in advance. The Wing Seat car was coupled within an eight-car train of the EMU 2100 series. The reservation fee was only 300 yen (about 1.94 USD). After about 70 minutes from Shinagawa, we got off at YRP Nobi Station and took a walk along the coast of the Miura Peninsula. We enjoyed the blue sky, blue ocean, green hills, and the graceful bow-shaped beach (see the photo below). They were definitely beautiful and made us feel relaxed. Spring is just around the corner.

Nobi Coast near YRP Nobi Station on the Keikyu Kurihama Line

Final Chapter of Shin-Keisei Electric Railway

Set N818 of the EMU Shinkeisei N800 series, "My Memories Train"

You may remember when I introduced the news that Keisei Electric Railway Company will absorb Shin-Keisei Electric Railway Company in April 2025. How is the merger project progressing? Just like last November, I recently visited the Shin-Keisei Line and saw the situation with my own eyes once again.

I found that Shin-Keisei was operating a special poster train named My Memories Train, using set N818 of the EMU N800 series. A special sticker showing Shin-Keisei’s 78 years of history is displayed on the front of the train (see the top photo). Large side-body stickers feature Shin-Keisei’s famous trains — the EMU 220, 8900, and 80000 series (see the photo below). In addition, passengers can enjoy special posters inside the train that explain the history of Shin-Keisei.

According to the company, the purpose of My Memories Train is to look back on Shin-Keisei’s 78 years of history together with its passengers. The final chapter of Shin-Keisei Electric Railway is steadily unfolding as the merger within the Keisei Group approaches.

Incidentally, the EMU N800 series is one of the main fleets on the Shin-Keisei Line. It was commissioned in 2005 to replace the old 800 and 8000 series trains. A total of five sets (30 units) were built by Nippon Sharyo. The N800 series is a sister train of the Keisei 3000 series, sharing the same car bodies and technical specifications.

Side body of My Memories Train