Train Inn and Spectacular Gorge in Miyazaki Prefecture

Unit TR-105 of the diesel railcar TR-100 series is reused as a train inn

This is a continuation from my post on June 6th. After observing JR Freight’s mini locomotive at Nobeoka station, I headed to Takachiho Town in the northwestern part of Miyazaki Prefecture. Takachiho is famous for its stunning natural scenery.

On the way to Takachiho, I found trains along the road. What are those? The answer was a train inn. There was a railway named Takachiho line until 2005 in this area. It had been operated by a local company Takachiho Railway but unfortunately abolished in 2008 due to the severe damage by Typhoon number 14. One of local towns, Hinokage Town, took over two diesel railcars and opened a train inn named “TR Train Inn” along the ex-track. For your information, “TR” stands for Takachiho Railway. These railcars are Unit TR-104 and 105 of the TR-100 series built by Niigata Engineering in 1989. The TR-100 series is a 15.8-meter-long railcar equipped with a 183kW diesel engine and a fluid transmission system. For more information about this unique train inn, please check out the bottom of this post.

After observing the lovely train inn, I visited Takachiho Gorge, a deep canyon formed by Gokase River. I could see picturesque columnar joints on the walls of the valley. These joints remind visitors of rapidly cooled basalt or andesite lavas, but actually, the host rock is welded tuff erupted from Mt. Aso about 130,000 years ago. That’s very rare. I enjoyed both the train inn and the spectacular gorge in Miyazaki Prefecture.

Beautiful columnar joints are seen within the welded tuff at Takachiho Gorge

Official website, "TR Train Inn" at ex-Hinokage-onsen station (in Japanese):

https://hinokagecho.com/hinokageonsen-inn.html

EMU 80000 Series: New Model on the Urban Park Line

EMU Tobu 80000 series travels on the Urban Park line

You may remember when I posted about the name change of the Tobu-Noda line in before. Japan's population has entered into a decreasing phase. Railway companies are in competition to attract passengers and have to improve the value of their lines. For that purpose, Tobu Railway gave a nickname of their "Noda line" to "Urban Park line" in 2014. What do you think about the new name, “Urban Park line”? Is it sophisticated? To be honest, I wonder why Japanese people are eager to use English words for their shops', restaurants' and companies' names... even for railway stations' and railway lines' names. 

Enough with the preamble, let's get down to the main topic. I recently understood that Tobu continues improving the value of their lines very seriously. Not only just the name of the line but also the train itself on the line. In token of that, Tobu launched a new sophisticated commuter train, the EMU 80000 series, onto their Urban Park line this year. It's been 12 years since the last model, the EMU 60000 series, debuted. What’s special about the 80000 series? It has an area for families with children. There is a unique seat with a baby stroller parking area named “Tanoseat” (see the photo below). Tanoseat is a compound word of Tanoshii (fun) in Japanese and Seat in English.  A family gets together at Tanoseat, it will be so much fun. I’m running out of space on the page. With regard to the technical specifications of the 80000 series, I’m going to post near future.

"Tanoseat" of the EMU Tobu 80000 series

Official information about the EMU 80000 series by Tobu Railway (in Japanese):

https://www.tobu.co.jp/cms-pdf/releases/202404161247115gFjCdYsG3H5MfjtzUEqxQ.pdf

2025 Hydrangea Season on the Keio-Inokashira Line

Hydrangea flowers and the EMU Keio 1000 series near Hamadayama station

On June 10th, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that this year's rainy season had begun in the metropolitan area. As I posted every year, we have hot and humid days in the metropolitan area from early June to mid-July. At times like that, the only thing that saves my gloomy feelings before midsummer is viewing hydrangeas which come into flower this season. This year, I visited two beautiful spots on the Keio-Inokashira line.

First, I got off the train at Hamadayama station. Full-blown hydrangeas were seen here and there along the railway track near the station. Furthermore, I saw many photo lovers shooting the flowers and the trains. We gave each other space and shot the flowers and trains. Please look at the top photo. In addition to the classic purple flowers, the pink-colored ones are vivid, aren’t they? The passing train is Set 1771 of the EMU Keio 1000 series, which displays the special hydrangea plate on the front. That’s so picturesque.

After enjoying around Hamadayama station, I stopped by Meidaimae station and tried to shoot the full-blown hydrangeas on the embankments of the track. Please look at the photo below. Keio has been working on planting hydrangeas on the embankments of the railways to prevent slope failure and protect the environment since 1991. This is my favorite spot where I visited in 2012 and 2015 as well. My recent visit was for the first time in ten years, but the I found that the embankments were still beautifully maintained.

Hydrangea flowers and the EMU Keio 1000 series near Meidaimae Station

News from Indonesia: Revival of "JALITA"

8618F of the EMU ex-Tokyu 8500 series, "JALITA" in Indonesia

Photo: Faris Fadhli

This is a continuation from my post on June 3rd. My thanks again go to Faris Fadhli, who kindly sent me the recent picture.

On April 22nd, the 100th anniversary celebration of the Indonesian electric railways was held in Jakarta. Many special trains such as the old electric locomotive “Bonbon” were operated in the Jakarta area. Along with Bonbon, “JALITA" was also stood out on that day. What’s JALITA? It’s a special commuter trainset named by the Transport Minister of Indonesia in 2009 celebrating establishment of the new commuter railway company in the Jakarta metropolitan area. It had a unique tri-toned face (red, black and silver, see the top photo). There are differing opinions on the origin of JALITA. One of them is that JALITA stands for “Jalur Lingkar Jakarta”, in Indonesian, which means Jakarta Loop Line. Another one is that JALITA stands for “Jalan Jalan Lintas Jakarta”, in Indonesian, which means strolling on the Jakarta line. According to a Japanese rail-fan blogger residing in Jakarta, “Pakuan Kyuko (Pakuan Express)”, the latter is correct.

Incidentally, the original JALITA was Trainset 8613 of the EMU ex-Tokyu 8500 series (hereafter 8613F). 8613F was transferred from Japan to Indonesia as a second-hand train in 2009. It was then changed its body color in 2013. 8613F has already been retired from the track in Indonesia as well, but instead, the last survivor of the ex-Tokyu 8500 series, namely Trainset 8618 (hereafter 8618F), became the JALITA-colored train this time. You can also see what 8618F was 16 years ago in the photo below. JALITA… welcome back.

8618F arrives at Jakarta Kota station (February 21st, 2009)

Disney Resort Line: 2025 Update

A side view of "Duffy and Friends Colorful Happiness Liner", Set 104 of Type-X

I visited the Disney Resort line for the first time in a year and a half. What's new with this monorail line in the dream and magic kingdom?

Let's take a quick look at the Disney Resort line to start. It's a straddle type monorail line opened in 2001. The route is a looped single track running through Disney amusement facilities, official hotels and JR East Maihama station. The electric system is 1,500V DC. There are four stations over the total operating length of 5.0 kilometers. 6-car trains run counterclockwise throughout the day.

Let's get down to the main topic. Which do you prefer? The good news first or the sad news first? The good news is starting operation of “Duffy and Friends Colorful Happiness Liner”. This year is the 20th anniversary of Duffy and Friends in Tokyo Disney Resort. In commemoration, a special poster train named Duffy and Friends Colorful Happiness Liner debuted on April 8th using Set 101 of the EMU 100 series (Type-C). You can see the characters of Duffy and Friends on the side bodies.

The sad news is the retirement of the EMU 10 series (Type-X). Type-X was the first model on the Disney Resort line, which debuted in 2001. 19 years later, a new model namely Type-C debuted in 2020, and had been replacing Type-X. The final survivor of the Type-X train, namely Set 4, was retired from the track in September last year, while it was missed by rail-fans. Thank you and good-bye to the Type-X trains.

"Duffy and Friends Colorful Happiness Liner" arrives at Tokyo Disneyland station

Official website, the Disney Resort line:

https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdr/resortline.html

Mini Locomotive on Kyushu Island

JR Freight's diesel locomotive Unit 51 of the Class DB500 (DB500-51)

Sorry for jumping from one topic to another, but I’m going to follow up and post about my recent visit to Miyazaki Prefecture today.

I took JR Kyushu’s limited express train “Hyuga” at Miyazaki Airport station and headed north. My destination was Nobeoka City in the northern part of Miyazaki Prefecture. When I got off the train at Nobeoka station, I found an unfamiliar locomotive in the station yard. What’s that? The answer was JR Freight’s diesel locomotive “Class DB500”. JR Freight (JRF) is one of the JR group railway companies. Unlike the other JR group companies, JRF operates their freight trains on a nationwide scale using the other JR group companies' tracks.

The Class DB500 was commissioned in 2016 as a switcher for freight stations.  As I posted before, JRF launched a hybrid switcher, Class HD300, in 2011. It’s a silent and eco-friendly locomotive, but too big for small freight stations. JRF then developed a small switcher Class DB500 for small freight stations. It’s only 7.65 meters long and weighs 26,900 kilograms. A total of four units were built by Hokuriku Heavy Industries. Two of them belong to freight stations on Kyushu Island. With regard to the technical specifications, Class DB500 is classifies as a hydraulic diesel locomotive with an axis arrangement A-A (JNR notation). Unit 51 (see the photos) is equipped with a diesel engine made by Volvo and can pull up to 500,000 kilograms cargo container wagons within freight station yards.

Class DB500… it’s a mini locomotive but a hard worker, isn’t it?

Diesel locomotive DB500-51 and container cars stand at Nobeoka freight station 

News from Indonesia: The 100th Anniversary of "Bonbon"

Electric locomotive Unit 3201 "Bonbon" of the Class ESS 3200 in Indonesia

(Photo: Faris Fadhli) 

I'm temporally shelving the topic of Japanese trains and showing Indonesian railway pictures today. I have received news from an Indonesian rail-fan. Indonesia recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of its electric railways. My thanks go to Faris Fadhli, who kindly sent me the recent picture.

To start, let me quickly review the history of Indonesian railways. Indonesia’s first railway was opened in 1867 by a Dutch railway company. 58 years later, the first electric railway was completed in Jakarta in 1925. This year marks the 100th anniversary. I was stationed in Jakarta from 2007 to 2011 as an exploration geologist of a petroleum and natural gas company. There was no greater happiness than enjoying the railways with local rail-fans on weekends back then.

Enough with the preamble. On April 22nd, the 100th anniversary celebration was held in Jakarta and many special trains were operated. One of historical rollingstock was the electric locomotive (hereafter EL) Unit 3201 of the Class ESS 3200 (see the top photo). The ESS 3200 is a '(1B)(B1)' (UIC notation) type EL for 1,500V direct current tracks. It’s called “Bonbon” by local people. A total of 6 units were built by Werkspoor from 1925 to 1927, but only Unit 3201 is preserved.

I still remember when I came across Unit 3201 in April 2009 (see the photo below). It was just after the reopening of Tanjung Priok station. I was fascinated this elegant EL. It had a white-colored body and went well with the same-colored shining platform. Congratulations on the 100th birthday of Indonesian electric railways and Bonbon!

Unit 3201 is exhibited on Track 6 in Tanjung Priok station, Indonesia (April 18, 2009)

”Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen” Train

Set G25 of the EMU JR Central N700A series, "Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen"

Do you remember when I introduced you to JR East’s “Magical Journey Shinkansen” train last year? Following JR East, JR Central also launched a special poster train “Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen” this year.

To start, let me explain how things came about. On June 6th last year, Tokyo Disney Resort held its grand opening of Fantasy Springs. To promote tourism to this new theme park, JR East started to operate a new poster train named "Magical Journey Shinkansen" jointly with Tokyo Disney Resort. 8 months later, JR Central also launched a new poster train under the name of "Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen" on the Tokaido Shinkansen for the same purpose. You can see characters of Fantasy Springs on the side bodies of Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen. They are Peter Pan, Elsa and Anna of Frozen and so on. The impressive thing was that many inbound tourists were taking pictures of this poster train at Tokyo station. JR Central releases the timetable of Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen on their website (in Japanese only).

Incidentally, Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen is Set G25 of the EMU JR Central N700A series. The 700A series was commissioned in 2016 as an improved version of the N700 series. The main difference between the N700 and the N700A series is their brake performance. New disc brakes were adopted by the N700A series. As you may know, the braking system on a bullet train is quite important in Japan, since we have to stop the train steadily without derailment as soon as an earthquake hits a railway.

Side view of "Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen" train

Official information about "Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen" by JR Central:

https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/news/_pdf/2025/0003.pdf

Official website, "Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen" by JR Central (in Japanese):

https://recommend.jr-central.co.jp/wdshinkansen/

Reunion with the Old Express Train

EMU JR Kyushu 787 series (left) stands at Miyazaki Airport station

I visited Kyushu Island again. My destination this time was Miyazaki Prefecture in the southeastern part of the Island. I flew to Miyazaki Airport and changed to the train on the JR Kyushu line.

As soon as I reached Miyazaki Airport station, what jumped into my eyes was a distinctive train, the EMU JR Kyushu 787 series (see the top photo), limited express “Hyuga (the old province name of Miyazaki Prefecture)”. This reputable train was commissioned in 1992 for 1,067 millimeter-gauge track with 20,000 V (60 Hz) AC electric system. The maximum speed is 130 kilometers per hour. A total of 140 units were built from 1992 to 2002 by Hitachi and Kinki-Sharyo. Its metallic colored body with the futuristic front design has been quite unique and popular among passengers. The 787 series won the 1993 Blue Ribbon Prize by Japan Railfan Club as the best train that debuted in 1992.

It has been more than 30 years since then. The bodies are getting old. For example, destination rollsigns are still used on the side bodies (see the photo below). The newest LED destination signs are not equipped. Incidentally, what do you think about the face design of this European style train from a modern perspective? Still cutting-age or old-fashioned? Whenever I see it, my impression of the 787 series has slightly changed. Sometimes it’s cutting-age, and other times it's a bit old-fashioned for me. Additionally, sometimes its face is scary, and other times it’s charming. That's very strange. Anyway, long time no see, the 787 series!

Side view of the EMU 787 series

A Serendipitous Reunion with Tobu 8577F

Set 8577 of the EMU Tobu 8000 series is exhibited in the Railway Museum

I'm not a native English speaker, so I often come across unknown English words. The latest example was "serendipity". It's not a common word, but I would like to remember it using a real example. As I showed in my last post, I recently visited the vast Sherley poppy field in Saitama Prefecture. When I observed this vermillion-colored field, I associated with Tobu Railway’s vermillion-colored train, set 8577 of the EMU 8000 series (hereafter 8577F), which I posted in 2016. Two hours later, I stopped by the Railway Museum in the prefecture and came across 8577F. What a coincidence! This is indeed serendipity, isn’t it?

Why was the Tobu train exhibited in the Railway Museum, which is owned by JR East? The gimmick is as follows. In 2023, the Railway Museum established a partnership with the Tobu Museum in Tokyo. The two museums work together on the fostering of railway culture. As part of efforts, the Railway Museum was temporally exhibiting Tobu Railway’s train, 8577F, in the outdoor venue. According to the Railway Museum, 8577F will be exhibited only one month.

Another question was “How was 8577F transported to the Railway Museum?” The gimmick is as follows. The tracks of Tobu Railway and JR East are connected at Kurihashi station yard. Furthermore, the JR East line is connected with the tracks in the Railway Museum, so, 8577F was transported from Tobu Railway to the Railway Museum pulled by locomotives. Long time no see 8577F! Have you been well?

The JR East line is connected with the tracks in the Railway Museum

Enjoy Saitama: Shirley Poppies and a Shining Locomotive

Unit 61 of the electric locomotive Class EF58 is exhibited in the Railway Museum

My spring outing is still going on. Next destination after the rose garden in Kanagawa Prefecture was a Shirley poppy (corn poppy) field in Saitama Prefecture. It's located on the Arakawa riverbed in Konosu City, about 50 kilometers north of Tokyo. As soon as I reached the embankment, what jumped into my eyes was a vast vermilion-colored field. It was second to none, even compared to the other famous Shirley poppy fields in the metropolitan area such as Matsudo and Chichibu. Oh, hold on please. Please look at the photo below. This field is different from the others. Light-purple-colored flowers are mixed. What are those? The answer was “Hazerisou (Phacelia?)”. No problem. Mixing of vermilion and light purple flowers was more beautiful.

I can't finish here as this is a railway blog. On my way home, I got off at Omiya station and stopped by the Railway Museum for the first time in 6 years. What was new with this holy place for rail-fans? I found that a new exhibit was added. Please look at the top photo… Unit 61 of the electric locomotive Class EF58 (hereafter EF58 61). EF 58 61 was Japanese National Railways’ special locomotive. It was built by Hitachi in 1953 for VIP trains. For example, the King and Queen of Norway took a train pulled by EF58 61 with the Emperor and Empress of Japan in 2001. Regarding the technical specifications of the Class EF58, please review my past post.

I enjoyed the flowers and the locomotive in Saitama Prefecture on the same day.

Shirley poppy (vermilion) and Hazerisou (light purple) field in Konosu City

Official information, The Railway Museum: https://www.railway-museum.jp/e/

Stop and Smell the Roses on the Daiyuzan Line

Set 5506 of the EMU Izu-Hakone Railway 5000 series, "Harumeki-train"

I can't believe that it is late May already, as I feel as though I just celebrated the New Year a short while ago. It's no use making a fuss! Let’s stop and smell the roses! This year, I visited Odawara Flower Garden in Kanagawa Prefecture. As soon as I entered the rose garden, I could feel the lovely breeze, which was carrying the rose-scented air. I enjoyed red, pink, white and yellow-colored roses in bloom. It’s the height of spring, isn’t it?

To get to this attractive tourist spot, the nearest railway station is Iidaoka on the Daiyuzan line of Izu-Hakone Railway. On the way back home, I found a pink-colored unfamiliar train, set 5506 of the EMU 5000 series. Set 5506 was originally a blue colored train, but its body color was recently changed to pink to support in community revitalization along the Daiyuzan line. It's called “Harumeki-train”. As I posted before, “Harumeki-sakura” is an early blooming cherry developed by local people 25 years ago. Its pink-colored blossom is a symbol of this local area.

Incidentally, the 5000 series is the main fleet on the Daiyuzan line. It was commissioned in 1984 replacing deteriorated models. A total of 7 sets were built by Tokyu Sharyo. Only the 1st set (5501) is steel, while the other six sets, including set 5506, are stainless-steel. One set is composed of three cars. Car number 2 of set 5506 is my favorite, because it is equipped with comfortable cross seats.

Odawara Flower Garden near Iidaoka station, Daiyuzan line

EMU 315-3000 Series: New Model in the Shizuoka Area

Trainset U12 of the EMU JR Central 315-3000 series stands at Atami station

As I posted before, Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture is well-known as a marine resort city. Visitors can enjoy hot springs, fish dishes and fireworks festivals. There’s more. Rail-fans can observe many kinds of trains at Atami station. They’re Shinkansen trains, JR East’s limited express trains, JR East and JR Central’s commuter trains, Izukyu trains and JR Freight’s freight trains. Oh, hold on please. I almost forgot one more…  an overnight sleeper train, “Sunrise Express”. Observing these trains is a perk of being a rail-fan.

When I visited Atami station the other day, I found an unfamiliar train stopping at the station. What’s that train? The answer is JR Central’s new model, the EMU 315-3000 series. The 315 series was originally debuted as an 8-car train in the Nagoya area in 2022. This new model was also commissioned in the Shizuoka area in 2024 as a 4-car train named the 315-3000 series. Currently, a total of 12 sets, 48 units, are operated on the Tokaido Main line of the Shizuoka area. The 315-3000 series have laser-welded beautiful bodies. These stainless-steel bodies were shining under the spring sun. Because the ceiling is high, the interior has an open atmosphere. A wheelchair accessible restroom is installed. As for the technical specifications, a hybrid SiC-IGBT VVVF inverter (variable-frequency drive) electric control system is adopted and implemented 35 percent of electric power reduction compared to the 211 series.

Incidentally, the old EMU 211 series was retired from the Shizuoka area in February this year. The 211 series, thank you for your hard work.

EMU JR East E257-2000 series (left), EMU JR Central 315-3000 series (right)

Official information about the EMU 315 series by JR Central (in Japanese):

https://railway.jr-central.co.jp/315s/

Visit to Kumamoto: A Must-See Spot

Electric car Unit 9202 of the Kumamoto City Tram 9200 series

Following my post on March 29th, 2025, I am going to show you the rest of our trip to Kumamoto.

Looking back now, I visited mostly not well-known sightseeing spots this time, but I remembered visiting at least one must-see spot in Kumamoto Prefecture. That is Mt. Aso located in the northeastern part of the prefecture. This mountain is a large compound active volcano and boasts arguably the largest caldera in the world, extending 25 kilometers in diameter. The central cone group consists of five peaks, the highest 1,592-meter Taka-dake, still active Naka-dake (see the photo below) and so on. The Nakadake trail is often closed when volcanic gas or volcanic activity is too high.

I can't finish here as this is a railway blog. Taking this opportunity, I’m going to show you one more tramcar of the Kumamoto City Tram. Please look at the top photo. It’s Unit 9202 of Kumamoto City Tram’s electric car 9200 series. The 9200 series was commissioned in 1992 to reinforce the transportation capacity of the city tram. A total of 5 units were built by ALNA. It is a middle-sized (13.5-meter-long) double-axle bogie car. A variable frequency drive electric control system with two 100kW induction motors is adopted. You can see an inclined frontal glass also serving as a panoramic window. This design looks like the Toei 8500 series, which was also commissioned in the early 1990’s. It seems to be a popular design at the time.

I enjoyed a must-see spot and a tramcar in Kumamoto.

Active Naka-dake crater, Mt. Aso

EMU Tokyu 9000 Series: 2025 Update

Trainset 9015 of the EMU Tokyu 9000 series (revival color), the Oimachi line

Do you remember when the EMU Odakyu 8000 and Tokyu 9000 series were sold to Seibu Railway last year? Eight months have passed since then. I made a post about the latest status of the Odakyu 8000 series the other day, so, I would like to update the information on the Tokyu 9000 series today.

Let me review this news to start. On September 26th, 2024, Seibu Railway made a press release announcing that a total of 100 units of trains will be purchased from Odakyu Electric Railway and Tokyu Railways. Since a major railway company (Seibu) purchased secondhand trains from the other major railway companies (Odakyu and Tokyu), it was shocking news for rail-fans. Eight months later, I found that the ex-Odakyu 8000 series was modified to "the EMU Seibu 8000 series" and had started its test runs.

Let's get down to the main topic. The EMU Tokyu 9000 series has not been moved to Seibu yet. It is still being prepared. Not really understanding the situation, but it is said that the major renovation is necessary. On the other hand, Tokyu is looking back on the history of the 9000 series. They restored the frontal stripes of trainset 9015 (see the top photo) and 9001 from an orange-to-yellow gradient (see the photo below) to the original, a red-colored stripe. I still remember that I saw the 9000 series with the red-colored stripe at old Shibuya station on the Tokyu-Toyoko line in 2013. Time really flies.

I fully enjoyed the revival-colored trains of the EMU Tokyu 9000 series.

Trainset 9014 of the EMU Tokyu 9000 series (present standard color), Oimachi line

The 100th Anniversary of Atami Station

Izukyu "Kurofune train" displays "the 100th anniversary of Atami station" plate

On March 25th, Atami City celebrated the 100th anniversary of Atami station. In commemoration, Atami City and the railway operators held several events.

Let's take a quick look at Atami City and Atami station to start. Atami is located about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo and well-known as a marine resort city. I often visit there with my family, and enjoy soaking in the hot spring, fish dishes and fireworks festivals. Furthermore, Atami is a gateway to Izu Peninsula, which is famous for its beautiful national park. Atami station was opened in 1925 by the Japanese Government Railways. Currently, JR East and JR Central jointly manage this station.

Let's get down to the main topic. Please look at the photos. There are anniversary plates on the front of the trains standing at Atami station. They are trainset R-4 (Kurofune Train) of the EMU Izukyu 2100 series and trainset TB5 of the EMU Izukyu 8000 series. The arrival of the trains with the 100th anniversary plates caused Atami station to instantly thrive… but wait a moment. Atami is not Izukyu Railway’s station. Why does Izukyu celebrate the 100th anniversary of Atami station? It is because Izukyu trains are directly operated onto the JR East Ito line and come to Atami station. Thoughtfulness to the colleague company is important, isn't it? In contrast, I haven’t seen any anniversary plates on the bodies of JR East and JR Central trains. Hasn’t their attitude been a bit chilly? Is that none of their business?

EMU Izukyu 8000 series displays "the 100th anniversary of Atami station" plate

Two Topics on the Seibu Railway

Test run of the EMU Seibu 8000 series (ex-Odakyu 8000 series)

I would prefer to keep going with the topic of Seibu Railway today.

I recently visited Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture. I’m not an airplane enthusiast but enjoyed the birthplace of Japanese aviation as it is the site of Japan's first airfield. On the way home, I returned to be a trainspotter because I came across an unfamiliar train at Kokukoen (Aviation Park) station on the Seibu-Shinjuku line. What’s that train?

It immediately rang a bell, and I realized that I had been familiar with it before… ex-Odakyu 8000 series! As I posted before, Seibu Railway purchased 100 units of secondhand trains from Odakyu Electric Railway and Tokyu Railways in 2024. The EMU Odakyu 8000 and Tokyu 9000 series were sold to Seibu Railway. Eight months later, the ex-Odakyu 8000 series was modified to "the EMU Seibu 8000 series" and had started its test runs. According to Seibu Railway, the reborn 8000 series will debut in the end of this month. Can’t wait!

Just after the ex-Odakyu train leaving, a yellow-colored train with a special plate on the front came to the station. What’s that? It was the special train of "the 130th anniversary of Kawagoe Railway”. The Seibu-Shinjuku and Kokubunji lines were originally inaugurated by Kawagoe Railway in 1895. I found that the 130th anniversary plate was displayed on the front of trainset 2065 of the EMU Seibu 2000N series. The rounded plate was provided by Sayama City to the Seibu Railway. Congratulations on the 130th anniversary!

Seibu Railway is packed with interesting topics.

"The 130th anniversary of Kawagoe Railway" train leaves Kokukoen station

Official information about the 130th anniversary of Kawagoe Railway (in Japanese):

https://www.seiburailway.jp/file.jsp?newsroom/news/file/20250311_headmark_1.pdf

The 4th Generation L-train

The 4th generation L-train arrives at Higashi-Kurume station

Seibu Railway launched the 4th generation “L-train”. I’m going to show you this new wrapped train today.

Let me review “L-train” to start. L-train (Lions Train) is Seibu Railway's ad-wrapped train for the purpose of supporting their professional baseball team "Saitama Seibu Lions". The design of L-train is based on Legend Blue, which is the team color of Saitama Seibu Lions. The bodies of L-train are decorated with the team emblems and characters. Historically, the 1st generation L-train appeared in 2010 using the EMU 3000 series. The 2nd generation was then commissioned in 2016 using the EMU 9000 series. The 3rd generation debuted in 2018 using the EMU 20000 series.

On March 15th this year, trainset 40152 of the EMU 40000 series was commissioned as the 4th generation L-train. The 40000 series is Seibu's high-end commuter train launched in 2017. A total of 23 sets, 224 units, were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The first batch 6 sets have multi-purpose seats, which a conductor can change from long seats to cross seats using a remote control; meanwhile, the second batch 17 sets, including trainset 40152 (L-train), have long seats only. I found that traditional Lions character “Leo” on the front of L-train. It’s same as the EMU 8500 series on the Seibu-Yamaguchi line. Leo, how have you been? It’s been a while.

Incidentally, I remembered that trainset 40152 was once used as the other ad-wrapped trains named "Kanahei" and “Moi! Moomin Hanno”. Trainset 40152 is always busy for promoting tourism to the Seibu lines.

Side view of the 4th generation L-train

Official information about the 4th generation L-train by Seibu Railway (in Japanese):

https://www.seiburailway.jp/newsroom/news/20250313_Ltrain/

Preserved Electric Locomotive in Hitachi City

Electric locomotive Hitachi Mining Railway Unit 13 is preserved in Hitachi City

Hitachi is known as the city where Hitachi Ltd. was founded. It’s located in the northern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, about 150 kilometers north of Tokyo. The origin of this city was Hitachi Copper Mine discovered in the late 16th century. It was rapidly developed in the early 20th century after introducing machinery such as rock drills, but this historical mine was unfortunately closed in 1981 due to running out of the resources.

Hitachi Mining Railway played an important role in the modernization of Hitachi Copper Mine. This railway was opened in 1908 to transport passengers, materials and resources. Connecting Sukegawa (present Hitachi) and Daiou-in, its total operating length was 5.4 kilometers. The gauge size was 762 millimeters. In 1957, there were 6,500 passengers per day taking this railway, but the route was unfortunately abolished in 1981 for streamlining.

Please look at the top photo. There's an electric locomotive... Unit 13. It's preserved in Nippon Mining Museum in the city. Unit 13 was built by Hitachi in 1926, and had been commissioned as mainly freight trains. It weighs 8,000 kilograms and has two 33 kW direct current motors. The axis arrangement is Ao-Ao. After operating for 34 years, it was retired from the track in 1960. What impressed me most was its pantograph. It looks like a tower. I don’t know how to insulate against current to ensure the safety of the locomotive body to avoid a short circuit. It was a mystery for me. Anyway, I enjoyed observing the precious electric locomotive in the early days.

Pantograph of Unit 13 electric locomotive

Official website, "Nippon Mining Museum": https://www.jx-nmm.com/english/museum/

2025 Sakura Season on the Gotemba Line

Limited express train "Fuji-san (Mt. Fuji)" travels on the Odakyu line

The sakura (cherry) blooming season has already passed in Tokyo, but the front line of sakura blossoms is still traveling up the northern part of Japan. A person traveling to the north with the "sakura front" would be able to enjoy the blossoms for more than two months. On the other hand, the sakura front climbs up mountains as well. I recently visited the foot of Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture.

I got off at Suruga-Oyama station on the JR Central Gotemba line. My destination was Fuji Reien (Fuji Cemetery), where my grandma’s grave is situated. When I approached the cemetery, what came into my view was the fully bloomed sakura trees on the slope of mountains. They had light-pink-colored blossoms, which show a vivid contrast with the blue sky and snow-capped Mt. Fuji.

Taking this opportunity, I’m going to update the limited express train, "Fuji-san (Mt. Fuji)", on the Gotemba line. “Fuji-san” starts from Shinjuku terminal on the Odakyu line and is directly operated onto the JR Central Gotemba line. The commissioned model is the EMU Odakyu 60000 series, MSE (Multi Super Express). MSE is basically composed of 10 cars, but one set can be broken up into 6 and 4-car sections to enhance operational flexibility. For Fuji-san train, 6-car trainset is commissioned.

I found a special sticker, “Mocoron”, on the front of MSE. Mocoron is Odakyu’s mascot character. The purpose of the Mocoron sticker is to assist in child-rearing. For that purpose, MSE has a special lavatory equipped with a baby bed.

Fully bloomed sakura trees and snow-capped Mt. Fuji

Preserved Tramcar in the Open-air Architectural Museum

Unit 7514 of the electric car Toei 7500 series is preserved in Koganei City

The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum is a museum of historic Japanese buildings. It’s located in Koganei City, about 30 kilometers west of the city center of Tokyo. Since the 17th Century, Tokyo has lost many valuable historical buildings because of fires, floods, earthquakes and warfare. In 1993, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government established the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum as the Edo-Tokyo Museum Annex. This museum aims to relocate, reconstruct, preserve, and exhibit historical buildings of great cultural value as well as to pass on these valuable cultural heritages to future generations. For example, public bathhouse “Kodakara-yu” is one of my favorite architectures in the museum (see the photo below).

The exhibitions in the museum are not only architectures. Please look at the top photo. It’s unit 7514 of the electric car Tokyo Metropolitan Government (Toei) 7500 series. The 7500 series was commissioned is 1962 as a middle-sized (12.52-meter-long) double-axle bogie car for the Tokyo tramlines. It has two 60 kW direct current motors, and its maximum operating speed was 40 kilometers per hour. After operating for 16 years, unit 7514 was retired from the track in 1978. Incidentally, unit 7504, which I showed my past post, is a “sister” of this tramcar. You will notice the difference of the body stripe between the two cars. The red-colored stripe of unit 7514 was adopted in 1962 when the 7500 series debuted. On the other hand, the blue-colored stripe of unit 7504 was adopted around the year 1975, when the one-man (without a conductor) operation began.

"Kodakara-yu" (center) in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum

 

Official information about unit 7514 by the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum:

(Please scroll to the bottom of the page)

https://www.tatemonoen.jp/english/restore/intro/outdoor.php