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| Odakyu’s red 1000 series EMU arriving at Iriuda Station on the Hakone Tozan Line |
Happy New Year! The year 2026 is finally here. I hope all railfans around the world will enjoy a healthy and peaceful year. As my first update of the year, I’d like to share a little piece of happy news.
The red 1000 series EMU has returned to the Hakone Tozan Line. Please take a look at the photo above. Yes — that’s Odakyu’s red 1000 series EMU on the Hakone Tozan Line. It really stands out with its bright red color.
For those who may not be familiar with it, the 1000 series debuted in 1988 as a commuter train with a stainless-steel body and a neat blue stripe. Later, in 2009, the sets that operated on the Hakone Tozan Line were repainted in red (vermillion)—the traditional color of the line. These red trains sadly disappeared in 2022 when they were retired, but many passengers and railfans continued hoping for their return.
And finally, in November 2025, a brand-new red 1000 series EMU joined the fleet. Odakyu Group plans to introduce four sets—16 cars in total—by March 2026. It’s wonderful to see this symbolic color running through the mountains once again.
In the photo below, you can see set 1066 carefully descending the steep track with the Hakone mountains behind it. It really gives you a sense of how dependable the 1000 series is. I have a feeling this spot will become one of my regular photo destinations this year.
