The emotions of rail fans like me are quite complicated. When a new model of rolling stock enters service, I get excited and hurry to the tracks to see it. But when a railway company announces that an old train will be retired soon, I feel sad and think, “It can still work!” I sometimes wonder which feeling is the real one.
Probably both. If you are also a rail fan, I hope you understand this mixed feeling.
On February 25, the Shibayama Railway Company (Shibatetsu) announced that its 3500 series EMU will be retired at the end of March. Of course, I felt very sad.
Let me briefly review what Shibatetsu and the 3500 series EMU are like.
Shibatetsu is known as the shortest railway in Japan. The line is only 2.2 kilometers long and opened in 2002 to serve people living on the eastern side of Narita Airport. All trains run through onto the Keisei lines.
The 3500 series EMU is the only model owned by Shibatetsu, and they have only one trainset, Set 3540 (3540F). As I wrote before, Keisei Electric Railway has been leasing 3540F to Shibatetsu since 2013. I really love this four-car train with its red and green stripes.
To say “Goodbye” to 3540F, I chose Makuhari-hongo Station on the Keisei Chiba Line. The Shibayama Railway Line is mostly underground, but Makuhari-hongo is above ground and has good front lighting around noon. One day, I checked the schedule of 3540F, and I decided it was time to go.
Please look at the top photo. This was my last moment with 3540F. It was shining beautifully under the spring sunlight. I also found a special farewell sticker on the front of the train (see the photo below).
Sayonara (Goodbye) and thank you, 3540F! I will never forget you.
By the way, some of my blog readers may be wondering, “Who will be the successor to 3540F?”
Please wait a little longer. I will introduce it soon.
