EMU "Seibu" 8000 Series: Start of Commercial Operation

Set 8103 of the EMU Seibu 8000 series travels on the Haijima line

Do you remember when I introduced you to Seibu Railway’s new train, which was purchased from Odakyu Electric Railway as the second-hand train. Three months have passed since then, and Seibu put into commercial operation of that commuter train under the name of “Seibu” 8000 series (see the top photo).

Let me review the history of this train in the Odakyu era to start. The Seibu 8000 series originally debuted as the EMU “Odakyu” 8000 series in 1983. A total of 32 sets, 160 units, were built by Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Sharyo and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It’s the oldest train in operation on the Odakyu line, and also known as the last of the steel body commuter trains on the line. Incidentally, the 8000 series implemented a variable frequency drive electric control system after the renovation.

41 years later, it was decided that a total of 7 sets, 42 units, of the Odakyu 8000 series would be transferred to Seibu Railway. It will save the acquisition cost of new trains for Seibu Railway. Furthermore, it will save the maintenance cost for train operations, as the variable frequency drive is equipped on the 8000 series. As you know, this system saves electricity consumption.

Lastly, please don’t forget that the EMU Odakyu 8000 series is still being operated on the Odakyu line (see the photo below). It’s happy for railfans like me, as we can ride and compare the Odakyu 8000 and the Seibu 8000 models. I hope the two kinds of 8000 series will be operated as long as possible.

Set 8262 of the EMU Odakyu 8000 series travels on the Odawara line

Official information about the EMU Seibu 8000 series (in Japanese):

https://www.seiburailway.jp/railway/encyclopedia/8000/

Seijo Corty: My Neaby Train Observation Deck

View from the train observation deck of Seijo Corty shopping mall

I am not a native English speaker, so, posting blogs in English is a good opportunity to learn foreign language. I recently learnt a proverb, "It's hard to see what is right under your nose". I would like to memorize this proverb using a real example. 

Last week, I visited Seijo-gakuenmae in my neighborhood for shopping. After shopping, I stopped by a roof garden on the Seijo Corty Shopping Mall. It’s close to my house, but it was my first visit. As soon as I arrived at the garden, I found a nice train observation deck. I didn't know there was such a nice spot nearby my house. “It's hard to see what is right under your nose.” That's exactly how it is.

Enough with the preamble, please look at the top photo. You can see a straight quadruple track on the Odakyu line. Two trains are traveling together. They are the EMU Tokyo Metro 16000 series (left) and the Odakyu 8000 series (right). The former is traveling on the express train track. On the other hand, the latter is travelling on the local train track. They are beautifully shining bathing in the afternoon sun. Don’t you get excited? Even better, there are comfortable benches surrounded by trees on this deck. Sitting on the bench, I could enjoy relaxing time.

Incidentally, please check out my previous posts on the train observation decks in the Tokyo metropolitan area as well, if you have time. Shimogoindenbashi, Kitatopia, Shibuya Hikarie, Horinouchi, Fuefuki… and so on.

 Roof garden of Seijo Corty shopping mall is surrounded by trees

EMU 3200 Series: New Model on the Keisei Line

Set 3204+Unit 3205+Unit 3206 of the EMU Keisei 3200 series

Along with Tobu Railway, Keisei Electric Railway also put into commission a new commuter train. Its name is the EMU 3200 series.

Let me review Keisei Electric Railway to start. It’s one of the major private railway companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Keisei absorbed Shin-Keisei Electric Railway this year, and owns a total of 178.8-kilometer-long railway network in the eastern part of Tokyo and the northern Chiba Prefecture. The Narita airport access express, "Skyliner", is famous for being Keisei's flagship train.

Now, let's head to the main topic. The first set of the EMU 3200 series debuted on February 22nd. Keisei plans to introduce a total of 90 units of the 3200 series. The main concept of the 3200 series is to improve operational flexibility. One trainset is basically composed of 8 cars, but can be operated as 6 or 4-car train as well. As you know, Keisei experienced drastic decreasing of passengers bound for Narita Airport during the COVID-19 calamity. In contrast, number of inbound tourists, who take the Keisei line between from Narita Airport to the downtown Tokyo area, has drastically increased since 2023. The operational flexibility depending on the situation is essential for Keisei. For that purpose, we can see the coupling between driver’s cab side of the leading car and the middle car on the 3200 series (see the photo below). This type of irregular train formation is hardly seen in recent years in Tokyo. Finding such rarity is the greatest pleasure for trainspotters like me.

Coupling between the middle car (left) and driver’s cab side of the leading car (right)

Official information about the EMU 3200 series by Keisei Electric Railway (in Japanese):

https://www.keisei.co.jp/cms/files/keisei/MASTER/0110/NNw70bV7.pdf

Shinmachi Railyard in the Twilight

Set 1469 of the EMU Keikyu 1000 series leaves Shinmachi Railyard

I recently visited Yokohama City as I had some errands to run. After finishing my meeting, I stopped by Shinmachi Railyard near Kanagawa-shinmachi station on the Keikyu line to enjoy strolling. I spent a lot of time in the downtown area, so, by the time I got off the train at Kanagawa-shinmachi station, the sun had completely set. It was around 7 o’clock at night. It was very hot during the day, but the breeze was nice and refreshing in the evening.

As soon as I reached the railway crossing adjacent to Shinmachi Railyard, what jumped into my eyes were many trains preparing for leaving. They were the EMU 1000 and the 1500 series. These red-colored trains are of course beautiful during the daytime, but they have mysterious charms in the evening as well. They were shining under the illumination and the signal lights. I love the contrast between the red-colored trains and the dark-blue-colored twilight sky. I had a relaxing time.

Incidentally, Shinmachi Railyard is the second largest depot on the Keikyu lines. It was opened in 1953, and can accommodate up to 250 units of trains. They are the EMU 600, 1000 and 1500 series trains. The work trains, named DeTo 11, 12, 17 and 18, also belong to this railyard. This railyard performs maintenance and inspection of 4 and 6-car trains. One more aspect to remember about this railyard is a washing machine. There is an automatic train washing machine. Thanks to the machine, Keikyu trains are always shining.

Shinmachi Railyard in the twilight

Preparation for ATO: Keio-Inokashira Line

 Trainset 1729 of the EMU Keio 1000 series (after ATO modification)

As I posted before, Japan's population has entered into a decreasing phase. Railway companies can't keep their arms crossed in this situation. Railway companies have to recruit staff, but not so easy.

ATO (Automatic Train Operation) system is considered as one of the solutions. This technology has already been applied to subways, monorails and so on. Completely unattended trains are operated on the newly constructed AGT lines such as Yurikamome and Nippori-Toneri Liner. It seems easy at first glance, but not so on the traditional routes. Suppose we consider the case of the Keio-Inokashira line. There are many railway crossings. Not only local, but also express trains are operated. These issues are complicated.

Keio Electric Railway aims for Level GoA2 of ATO and conducts verification tests. At the GoA2, only one crew is required on board mainly for train starting and safety monitoring. In parallel, modification of the trains has started. Trainset 1729 of the EMU 1000 series has just been modified. There are many modifications on the train, but I would like to point out two portions as a trainspotter. First, please look at the top photo. The car number “1779” on the front was moved from the gangway to the upper right. Second, please look at the photo below. The window on the partition door between the driver’s cab and the passenger’s cabin became lower. Kids can easily enjoy scenic views through the frontal window of the train. It’s the best solution to secure the future railway employees!

The window on the partition door becomes lower.

Official information about the ATO verification test by Keio Electric Railway (in Japanese):

https://www.keio.co.jp/news/update/news_release/news_release2024/pdf/nr20250306_jidouunten.pdf

Rotating and Lifting Observation Tower on Mt. Yahiko

Yahiko-yama Panorama Tower

Let me continue from where I left off my last post. After getting off Yahiko-yama Climbing Car at the summit park, I enjoyed a superb view for a while. It was a precious time for me, but there was more spectacle lookout on this mountain. Please look at the top photo. There is a columnar tower with a cylindrical observation deck. What’s that?

The answer is “Yahiko-yama Panorama Tower”. It’s a rotating and lifting observation tower beside the climbing car. The cylindrical observation deck rotates and climbs up the columnar tower. The height is 85 meters. The top is around 605 meters above sea level, which is higher than the top of Yahiko-yama Climbing Car track. Yahiko-yama Panorama Tower was constructed at the same time as Yahiko-yama Climbing Car in 1970 by Yahiko-yama Ropeway Company. It’s the oldest rotating and lifting tower in Japan. The observation deck can accommodate 52 passengers. It’s operated every 15 minutes. It’s an eight-minute trip. Pets are welcome at no extra charge. Such a wonderful offer.

Please look at the photo below. I’m fond of this retro atmosphere. Moreover, the operating sound of the cylindrical observation deck was somehow it feels nostalgic. It made unique rattling sound. The seat in the observation deck is covered with red-colored moquette. It looks like an old commuter train in Tokyo. I fully enjoyed the stunning 360-degree panorama of Niigata Plain, Sado Island and Sea of Japan. Time flies when I am having fun. Eight minutes just flew past me.

Interior of the observation deck, Yahiko-yama Panorama Tower

Official website, Yahiko-yama Ropeway (in Japanese):

https://www.hotel-juraku.co.jp/yahiko/

Retro Climbing Car in Niigata Prefecture

Yahiko-yama Climbing Car in Niigata Prefecture

After returning from my trip to Miyazaki Prefecture, I visited Niigata Prefecture. It was a family time, so, I was temporally shelving my trainspotting activities, but actually, I was drawn in by a retro climbing car on Mt. Yahiko.

Let me review Mt. Yahiko to start. It’s a sheer mountain with a great view in Niigata Prefecture, some 300 kilometers north of Tokyo. The summit rises 634 meters out of the sea. The easiest way to get to the summit is to use a gondola called “Yahiko-yama Ropeway”. I used it eleven years ago for the first time. Please review my previous post.

So, what’s new with this post? To tell the truth, “Sancho (summit) station” of the gondola is not located at the summit of Mt. Yahiko. We can climb up to a higher spot by a climbing car. Please look at the top photo. You can see a retro vehicle, “Yahiko-yama Climbing Car”, on the mountain. Yahiko-yama Climbing Car was constructed in 1970 by Yahiko-yama Ropeway Company. It’s neither a funicular or a monorail. It’s an inclined elevator. Connecting the parking lot and the mountain park, its route length is 62.4 meters. The inclination is 50 degrees. The vehicle can accommodate 30 passengers. It's operated with a speed of 0.75 meters per second, so it takes about one minute to the mountain park.

Next, please look at the photo below. Aren’t you wondering about the camera angle? The camera seems to be located above the climbing car. Is there any higher place? To be continued…

The vehicle of the Yahiko-yama Climbing Car arrives at the mountain park 

The 20th Anniversary of the TX Line

Set number 2651 of the EMU TX-2000 series displays the 20th anniversary plate

On August 24th, Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Tsukuba Express line (hereafter TX line). In commemoration, the company is holding many events.

Let me review the TX line to start. It’s a 58.3-kilometer-long route connecting Akihabara and Tsukuba. Akihabara is located downtown Tokyo and known as “Otaku” town. Otaku is a Japanese word that describes people with consuming anime, video games, computers or other highly enthusiastic hobbies. In contrast, Tsukuba is the science city of the metropolitan area. A number of national and private research institutes are located there. The TX line was opened in 2005 and plays a role of the “2nd Joban line”. The track is double and electrified. 

One of the 20th anniversary events is special memorial plates on the front of the trains. Please look at the photos. They are set number 2651 and 2667 of the EMU TX-2000 series. It’s a DC-AC (direct current and alternate current) dual electric system train, because the electric system of the TX line is partly 1,500V DC (Akihabara-Moriya) and partly 20,000V-50Hz AC (Moriya-Tsukuba). Its maximum speed is 130 kilometers per hour. Set number 2651, which is the 1st batch trains debuted in 2005, doesn’t have a red stripe on the front. On the other hand, set number 2667, which is the 2nd batch trains debuted in 2008, has a red stripe on the front. Please enjoy the subtle differences in each train. I know that you are an enthusiastic trainspotter like me. Congratulations on the 20th anniversary of the TX line!

Set number 2667 of the EMU TX-2000 series displays the 20th anniversary plate

Official website, "the 20th anniversary of the TX line" by Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company (in Japanese):

https://www.mir.co.jp/tx20/

Railfan’s Super Lucky Day

JR East’s three trains travel side by side on the Sobu line

This is quite sudden but just imagine. You learned through social media that your favorite idol is in your nearest station. You take your camera to the station and wait for him (or her) at a spot with a good view for a while. Five minutes later, you find that he (or she) is walking toward you. Then, you realize that the idol isn’t alone. He (or she) is together with two other famous, good-looking idols. What a stroke of luck! You succeed in taking a picture of the three idols in a single image.

What do I want to say? Sorry. My metaphor was a bit long-winded. Please replace “idol” with “train”. That's what happened to me. Seeing is believing. Please look at the top photo. JR East’s three trains, namely the DMU KiYa E195 series (left), the EMU E259 series (center) and the EMU E231-500 series (right), are traveling together. The KiYa E195 is the rail carrying train… very rare. The E259 is the good-looking airport access train. And the E231-500 is the famous commuter train on the Chuo-Sobu Local line. I succeeded in taking a picture of the three trains in a single image at Hirai station on the Sobu line. That was my super lucky day. I'm still buzzing with excitement. I think you'd understand my emotions if you are also a railfan.

Incidentally, I’m showing the other important train on the Sobu line, namely EMU E235-1000 series, in the photo below for your information.

EMU JR East E235-1000 series (left) and E231-500 series (right)

Nostalgic but New Train on Kyushu Island

EMU JR Kyushu 713 series, "Sunshine Miyazaki", stands at Miyazaki station

This is a continuation of my recent trip to Miyazaki Prefecture. On my way back to Miyazaki Airport, I came across an old, red-colored train stopping at Miyazaki station (see the top photo). What was that? The answer is the EMU JR Kyushu 713 series.

The 713 series was developed by the Japanese National Railways (hereafter JNR) in 1983. It’s a standard commuter train for the 1,067 millimeter-gauge track with a 20,000 V-60 Hz AC (alternate current) electric system. One set is composed of one motorcar and one trailer (1M1T). What was new with this train? The 713 series is the first train equipped with a regenerative braking system for AC tracks. It was a great achievement by JNR, but the good news didn't last forever. JNR faced a financial crisis and cancelled the mass production of this advanced train. A total of only 4 sets were built by Tokyu Sharyo and Hitachi after all. After the privatization and separation of JNR, all sets of the 713 series were transferred to JR Kyushu. Currently, they are operated on the Nippo Main, Nichinan and Miyazaki Airport lines.

I liked this ex-JNR trains. You can see the character of the so-called "JNR-type" EMUs in the front design. It has two large, rounded lights, panoramic windows and a gangway connection. The hem of the body is squeezed. On the other hand, the 713 series obtained JR Kyushu’s own color design after the modification in 1996. It was reborn into the vivid, red-colored train. Its nickname is “Sunshine Miyazaki”.

Side view of the EMU 713 series, "Sunshine Miyazaki"