Serving a Double Purpose on the Keiyo Line

JR East E257-500 series EMU, limited express “Wakashio”

It’s mid-spring in Tokyo, and daytime temperatures now exceed 20 degrees Celsius almost every day. The best season of the year has arrived! Lured by the pleasant spring weather, I recently visited Inage Beach in Chiba City, about 35 km east of Tokyo.

To get to this urban beach, the nearest station is Inage-kaigan (Inage Beach) on the JR East Keiyo Line. It’s been a long time since I last took this line, so I decided to take a quick train photo before heading to the beach.

Take a look at the photo above—the E257-500 series limited express “Wakashio,” running on the Keiyo Line in the morning sunlight. Beautiful!

As I’ve mentioned before, the E257-500 series is a 1,500 V DC EMU used for limited express services between Tokyo and the Boso Peninsula. Its nickname is the “Boso Express.” It entered service in 2004, and a total of 19 sets were built by Hitachi, Kinki Sharyo, and Tokyu Sharyo (now J-TREC). Each trainset consists of three motor cars and two trailer cars. The leading car is equipped with a gangway door, allowing it to be coupled with another set during peak seasons.

It has already been 22 years since its debut. Ten sets are still in operation, while the other nine have been converted into the E257-2500 and E257-5500 series EMUs. Keep up the good work, E257-500 series!

After arriving at Inage Beach, I switched gears to another hobby of mine—fossil collecting. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s been a lifelong passion. This time, my hunting ground was this artificial sandy beach. In this area, we can sometimes find fossil-bearing rocks that were originally dredged from the floor of Tokyo Bay.

Take a look at the photo below—this was my find of the day: a fossilized large clam (Saxidomus purpuratus?). It is a large (11 cm long), thick, and hefty bivalve. The smaller bivalves beside it are fossils of dock cockles (Glycymeris yessoensis). Beautiful! Hello, fossils! Welcome back to the world above ground!

That day, I was able to serve a double purpose on the Keiyo Line.

Fossilized large clam (left) and dock cockles (right) found at Inage Beach

Related link:

・Official information from JR East (in Japanese) 

German-made Rail Grinder on the Keio Line

Keio’s rail grinder, ROMILL 600DT (“ROMILL Supply” side)

Are working vehicles popular among children in your country?

In Japan, they are very popular. According to several popularity polls, police cars rank first, followed by fire engines, excavators, ambulances, and many others. A wide variety of picture books on working vehicles are also published for young children.

How about working vehicles that run on railway tracks?

To be honest, except for the famous “Dr. Yellow” on the Tokaido–Sanyo Shinkansen, railway working vehicles are not very well known, mainly because they tend to go unnoticed. Even so, curious children will quickly gather whenever an unusual railway vehicle appears. I recently witnessed such a scene near the Sakurajosui railyard on the Keio Line. I followed the children who had gathered there, and eventually found what they were looking at.

Please take a look at the photos—this is a rail grinder, the ROMILL 600DT, parked on a siding. Keio Corporation (Keio Electric Railway) introduced the ROMILL 600DT from the German manufacturer Robel in January this year. European manufacturers indeed have a strong presence in this field. With this addition, Keio became the first Japanese private railway company to operate a milling-type rail grinder. 

The ROMILL 600DT consists of two diesel-powered cars: “ROMILL Work” and “ROMILL Supply.”

The former includes a rail-milling unit with cemented-carbide tips, a polishing unit, and an inspection unit. The latter provides a workspace for replacing milling inserts and also houses a fuel tank.

Why did Keio introduce the ROMILL 600DT?

First, for safety: milling and grinding help prevent rail damage and provide passengers with a smoother, more comfortable ride. Second, for cost efficiency: maintaining rail surfaces properly can significantly reduce long-term maintenance expenses by preventing serious rail defects.

As a rail fan, I am genuinely fond of the ROMILL 600DT. Its blue-and-red two-tone body looked especially beautiful in the spring sunlight. I would love to watch it in operation someday, but that is quite difficult, as it usually works only after the last train has finished for the day. Moreover, Keio does not publish its operating schedule.

Even so, I hope the ROMILL 600DT continues to do great work behind the scenes.

ROMILL 600DT ("ROMILL Work" side)

Related link:

• Official information from Keio (in Japanese)

• Official video from Keio (in Japanese)

Final Chapter of the 6000 Series EMU in Indonesia

Set 6117 of the 6000 series EMU in Jakarta, Indonesia

Photo: Faris Fadhli (2026)

Today, I’d like to share a little story about Indonesia’s railways.

Not long ago, I received a heartwarming message from an Indonesian railfan. My friend, Faris Fadhli, sent me some updates along with his latest photos. I always enjoy hearing from him—his messages make me feel closer to Indonesia’s railway scene. After reading his note, I felt inspired to write about an “endangered species” that has long fascinated me.

Please take a look at the photo above. It shows the endangered ex–Tokyo Metro 6000 series EMU running in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The 6000 series is a 1,500 V DC commuter EMU that first entered service in Tokyo in 1968. In total, 36 sets—353 cars—were built through 1990. Its technology was considered advanced at the time, equipped with an armature-chopper traction system and regenerative braking. Many sets were later upgraded with a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive=VVVF) traction system and induction motors.

After 43 years of service in Tokyo, 27 sets were transferred to Jakarta starting in 2011, helping modernize the commuter lines operated by PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia.

Now, let’s take another look at the recent photo. A red-striped 6000 series train stands out under the tropical sunlight, framed by lush greenery. Beautiful! I instantly recognized the spot—Universitas Indonesia Station, a classic place for train photography. Faris’s photo brought back many memories from the time I was stationed in Indonesia.

I also vividly remember the excitement in 2011, when the 6000 series first arrived in Jakarta. I was extremely busy with work then, so Indonesian railfans, including Faris, visited Bukit Duri Railyard and kindly shared their photos of the newly arrived trains with me (see the photo below). It’s hard to believe that fifteen years have passed. Time truly flies.

I’m glad the 6000 series is still active in Jakarta. However, according to Faris, the trains are now being gradually phased out as the new Indonesian-built CLI-225 series enters service. Panta rhei—everything is constantly changing.

The final chapter of the 6000 series has already begun.

Set 6126 of the 6000 series EMU (right) upon arrival in Jakarta, Indonesia

Photo: Faris Fadhli (March, 2011)

New LEO LINER on the Yamaguchi Line

Seibu L00 series EMU, LEO LINER (Set L11)

Today, I would like to introduce a new train model in the Tokyo metropolitan area: Seibu Railway’s L00 series EMU, called the LEO LINER, for the Yamaguchi Line. This new model entered service on March 27 and replaces the older 8500 series EMU.

First, let me briefly introduce the Seibu-Yamaguchi Line.

The line is a rubber-tyred automated guideway transit (AGT) system that runs across the border between Tokyo Metropolis and Saitama Prefecture. It connects Tamako (Lake Tama) and Seibu-Kyujō-mae (Seibu Baseball Stadium) stations, and its total length is only 2.8 km. The entire route is single-track and uses a 750 V DC third-rail power supply. Unlike other AGT lines such as the Seaside Line, and the Nippori-Toneri Liner, trains on this line are operated by a driver. It is not a driverless system.

The top photo shows the L00 series. Each trainset consists of four aluminum-alloy cars, each 8.5 meters long (two motor cars and two trailer cars). The traction system uses variable frequency drives with 110 kW induction motors. One of the differences from the older 8500 series is that the L00 series has double-leaf external sliding doors. Seibu Railway plans to introduce three trainsets of the L00 series by the end of March 2028.

My first impression was that it looks similar to the Yurikamome 7500 series EMU. It also reminds me of JR East’s HB-E220 series. The polygonal shape of the front of the train seems to be a trend in the design of recent rolling stock.

Regarding the interior, please look at the photo below. There is a transverse seat located just behind the driver’s cab. It is called the “Kids Seat,” and it is designed for a parent and a child. They can enjoy watching the driver operate the train and looking out the front. Recently, more Japanese railway companies seem to be installing special seats for parents and children, and I think this is a very good idea.

I enjoyed observing Seibu’s new LEO LINER very much.

“Kids Seat” in the L00 series train

Related link:

・Official information from Seibu Railway (in Japanese)

・Official video from Seibu Railway (in Japanese)

Classic DMU on the Joso Line

KiHa 0 series DMU on the Joso Line

This may sound a little sudden, but are you an early bird or a night owl?

As for me, I’m definitely the latter. I usually get up late, especially on weekends. In Japan, people like me are often thought to be lazy, which feels a little sad.

Still, even I have exceptions. Please take a look at the top photo. You can see the classic KiHa 0 series DMU of Kanto Railway running on the Joso Line. I took this photo early morning because this train operates only at that time. For once, the early bird really did catch the worm!

■ What Are Kanto Railway and the Joso Line?

Kanto Railway (often called Kantetsu) is a local railway company in the northeastern part of the Tokyo metropolitan area. Its Joso Line runs through Ibaraki Prefecture from south to north, connecting Toride and Shimodate stations over a distance of 51.1 km. Toride provides an important transfer to JR East’s Joban Line (see the photo below).

Kantetsu has a unique atmosphere—a mix of a commuter line and a local rural line. As shown in the top photo, the section near Toride is double-tracked, and trains run every nine minutes during the morning rush. However, the line is non-electrified, and most trains consist of only one or two cars.

■ Rolling Stock Notes: DMU KiHa 0 Series

The KiHa 0 series DMUs entered service in 1981. Each trainset consists of two 20-meter-long, single-cab cars. A total of four sets—eight cars—were built using equipment reused from the Japanese National Railways KiHa 20 series.

■ Details Trainspotters Will Enjoy

If you feel like you’ve seen this railcar somewhere before, you have a sharp eye for Japanese trains. The KiHa 310 series, which I introduced in 2011, looks very similar to the KiHa 0 series. However, if you look closely, you’ll notice some differences. For example, the shape of the front destination display is slightly different, and the presence or absence of rain gutters on the sides also varies. Did you find the differences?

Toride Station on the JR East Joban Line and the Kantetsu Joso Line

Related Link:

・Official information from Kanto Railway (in Japanese)

New Model on the Urban Park Line, Part 2

Trainset 81551 of Tobu’s 80000 series EMU at Nanakodai Railyard

You may remember that I wrote about Tobu’s 80000 series new EMU last June. At that time, I mentioned that I would “save the technical specifications of the 80000 series for a future post.”

Ten months have passed since then. Time really flies. Now, I finally have a chance to introduce those details, so let’s get started.

The 80000 series EMU is Tobu Railway’s commuter train for the Urban Park Line (Noda Line). It operates on a 1,500 V DC system with a 1,067 mm track gauge. The train entered service in March 2025 to replace the older 8000 and 10030 series. Each set consists of five 20-meter cars—two motor cars and three trailer cars. The car bodies are made of aluminum alloy, and a total of 25 sets are planned to be introduced.

Here are some of the technical features.

First, the train is equipped with 250 kW synchronous reluctance motors instead of the conventional induction motors. The traction system uses a full-SiC VFD (full silicon-carbide variable-frequency drive). These technologies help reduce maintenance and save energy.

Second, the train has an on-board battery system. The power generated from regenerative braking is not returned to the overhead lines but stored and used for on-board power supply. This helps prevent the loss of regenerated energy.

Third, two trainsets are equipped with monitoring equipment for facilities such as tracks and overhead lines.

Now, I would like to share a topic for old-school trainspotters as well. Please take a look at the top photo. I took this photo of the 80000 series when I joined an event held by the Japan Railfan Club at Nanakodai Railyard. This particular trainset is slightly different from the one I showed in my post last year.

Please look at the photo below. The middle car (Car 3, SaHa 83551) looks different from the cars on both sides. For example, the height of the roof and the shape of the lower body seem a bit unusual.

In fact, this car is a refurbished vehicle from the 60000 series EMU, not a newly built one. Why did Tobu choose to do this?

I’m running out of space here, so I will save the explanation for a future post. Please look forward to it!

Car 3 (SaHa 83551) of trainset 81551

Related link:

• Official information from Tobu Railway (in Japanese)

2026 Cherry Blossom Season: Nambu Line

JR East E233-8000 series EMU near Bubaigawara Station

After sharing the cherry blossoms along the Keio Inokashira Line, I would now like to introduce this year’s cherry blossoms in Tokyo from other viewpoints.

Please take a look at the top photo. A train is passing by cherry trees in full bloom. Can you guess which railway line it belongs to?

If you are familiar with Japanese rolling stock, the answer might come easily. It is JR East’s Nambu Line. The stainless-steel body with yellow, orange, and brown stripes is a distinctive feature of the trains on this line.

The Nambu Line is one of the main commuter lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It connects Tachikawa and Kawasaki, running approximately 45 km. The trains in operation include the E233-8000 and E233-8500 series EMUs.

Now, returning to the top photo: I took it from a road bridge near Bubaigawara Station. It was my first time visiting this location. Although a high safety net stood along the bridge, I was able to avoid it thanks to the stepladder I happened to bring with me. I had a good feeling that day, and the result was a beautiful scene. One interesting detail I captured was the roof of the leading car. You can see two digital-radio antennas. The reason for having two is to use a technique called diversity, which improves communication quality by automatically selecting the antenna with the stronger signal.

The photo below shows a train crossing a small bridge framed by cherry blossoms. I took this shot from the bank of a small stream near Shukugawara Station. The afternoon sunlight made both the blossoms and the train shine beautifully. It was also my first time visiting this spot. Although I thought it might be relatively unknown, I found several international rail fans photographing there. Their enthusiasm was impressive—railway fans truly share the same passion all over the world.

It was a delightful day, enjoying both the cherry blossoms and the trains.

JR East E233-8000 series EMU near Shukugawara Station

Afterglow of JNR on Shikoku Island

Set R12 of JR Shikoku’s 7200 series EMU (Photo: Nicolai Okkels)

I recently received exactly what I had been hoping for from a Danish railfan. During his travels around Shikoku Island in Japan, he photographed many trains, and today I would like to introduce one of his works. My sincere appreciation goes to Nicolai Okkels, who kindly shared this photograph with me.

Please take a look at the top photo. The train you see is a nostalgically styled two-car set—the 7200 series EMU operated by JR Shikoku.

JR Shikoku is one of the railway companies of the JR Group. It was established in 1987 when the Japanese National Railways (JNR) was divided into seven companies. JR Shikoku operates nine lines totaling 853.7 km on Shikoku Island, of which 235.4 km are electrified at 1,500 V DC.

The 7200 series EMU was originally introduced by JNR in 1986 as the 121 series. A total of 19 sets—38 cars—entered service, and they were transferred to JR Shikoku upon JNR’s privatization. All cars remain in service today, now known as the 7200 series after a series of modifications.

The 7200 series features stainless-steel bodies, and each trainset consists of one motor car and one trailer car (1M1T). Between 2016 and 2019, the trains were upgraded from rheostatic control to a variable-frequency drive (VFD) system equipped with four 140 kW induction motors.

As a railway enthusiast, I am especially fond of this JNR-era EMU. Its nostalgic design truly resonates with me. In particular, the round, protruding headlights are one of my favorite features. However, if you look closely, you will notice that they are no longer lightbulbs but LEDs. JR Shikoku has been modernizing its trains while preserving their traditional character.

To me, this represents the afterglow of JNR on Shikoku Island.

Finally, although it may sound unnecessary, I also photographed the 7200 series myself in 2022 (see the photo below). However, I have never captured its entire form in one shot, so I would very much like to add the top photo to my collection. It feels as though another piece of the puzzle has fallen into place. I am truly delighted.

Set R17 of the EMU 7200 series at Kotohira Station (December 2022)

Related link:

• Official information from JR Shikoku (in Japanese)

The 15th Anniversary of Tokyo Railway Labyrinth

Front view of Unit 2011, Toyo Rapid Railway 2000 series EMU

Thanks for stopping by Tokyo Railway Labyrinth! The blog is about to turn 15.

I actually started this blog while I was stationed in Jakarta, Indonesia. Back then, Japan was going through a very difficult time, including the tsunami and nuclear disaster following the massive earthquake. Writing about Japanese railways was my small way of supporting my home country. Hard to believe it’s already been 15 years.

For this anniversary, I first thought about featuring trains with “15” in their names. But then I remembered—I’ve already covered the EF15 before. So… what else could I do?

Well, I came up with a slightly different idea: trains with “2011” in their numbers. As you probably know, 2011 is the year this blog started. A bit of a stretch? Maybe.

Anyway, let’s get to it. Take a look at the top photo—can you spot what this “2011” car is?

Pretty easy, right? It’s Unit 2011 from Toyo Rapid Railway’s 2000 series EMU. Toyo Rapid Railway runs a 16.2 km commuter line in western Chiba, called the Toyo Rapid Line. Most trains continue directly onto the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line. The 2000 series is currently the only type belonging to Toyo Rapid Railway, and it’s similar in specifications to the Tokyo Metro 05N series.

Now, let’s move on to the next photo. Please take a look at the photo below. What about this “2011” vehicle?

This one might be a bit trickier. It’s Unit 2011 from Tokyo Monorail’s 2000 series EMU. Tokyo Monorail operates the 17.8 km Haneda Airport Line in central Tokyo. This series was the company’s first to use a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) system. Inside, you’ll find a mix of transverse and longitudinal seating, and the trains run at speeds of up to 80 km/h.

So… was this post a bit boring? I hope not.

Either way, I hope you enjoyed seeing these two “Unit 2011” vehicles in Tokyo, even just a little.

Front view of Unit 2011, Tokyo Monorail 2000 series EMU

Keisei Dream Train: The Heartwarming Vehicle

Set 3006 of Keisei's 3000 series EMU, "Keisei Dream Train" 

This may sound a little sudden, but what was your childhood dream? What did you want to become when you were a kid?

On February 28, Keisei Electric Railway Company began operating the “Keisei Dream Train,” using two sets of its trains.

The Keisei Dream Train really lives up to its name. Both the outside and inside of the train are decorated with drawings of children’s dreams for the future. These drawings were made by children and chosen by lottery.

Please take a look at the top photo—that is one of the Keisei Dream Trains, Set 3006 of the 3000 series EMU. You can see a special sticker on the front of the train. It was drawn by a 10-year-old boy whose dream is to become "a train driver of the Keisei 3400 series". What a specific dream! I can completely understand his feelings—please check my previous post about the EMU 3400 series if you have time.

Next, please look at the photo below. This is Car 6, where drawings by boys and girls aged around 10 to 12 are displayed. For example, on the right, there is a drawing of a train and a conductor. It was drawn by another 10-year-old boy, and its title is “A Train Conductor Who Watches Over Safety.” What a responsible child! As proof that he is paying attention, he even drew the yellow warning blocks on the platform—these are tactile paving blocks that guide people with visual impairments. He has very good observation skills.

Finally, there is one more drawing—on the left side of the photo below, you can see a drawing of fashionable women. It was drawn by a 10-year-old girl whose dream is to become both a baker and a YouTuber. How modern! In her drawing, white bread, melon-shaped buns, and coronets are on sale. She imagines that she will introduce her bakery on her YouTube channel. I hope her dreams come true someday.

The Keisei Dream Train is truly a heartwarming vehicle for all passengers.

Interior of Keisei Dream Train

Related link:

• Official information from Keisei Electric Railway (in Japanese)