B.B.Base: The Unique Train for Cyclists

Trainset J1 of the EMU JR East 209-2200 series, "B.B.Base"

I recently had an opportunity to take the JR East-Sobu line. When the train left Makuhari-hongo station in Chiba City, I found a super rare train, “B.B.Base” in the railyard. I didn't hesitate to get off the train at the next station, and turned back to Makuhari-hongo to shoot B.B.Base.

B.B.Base is a unique train for cyclists. Passengers can take their bicycles onboard, and just place them on the bicycle racks. B.B.Base is operated between Ryogoku in the central area of Tokyo and Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture on weekends. Official name of B.B.Base is trainset J1 of the EMU JR East 209-2200 series, “Boso Bicycle Base”. It’s composed of 6 cars (4 motorcars and 2 trailers). Each car, except Car number 4, can accommodate up to 19 or 20 passengers and the same number of bicycles. Car number ４is a free space where passengers can interact each other. Long benches are equipped. B.B.Base was originally built as a commuter train. After operating on the Keihin-Tohoku and Nambu lines, it was modified to B.B.Base in 2017. Its technical specifications are basically same as the other 209-2200 series.

By the way, you may have a question for me, “Have you ever ridden B.B.Base?” or “Why do you not shoot B.B.Base during the commercial operation?” That’s a tough question. Well, B.B. base leaves Ryogoku terminal early morning, but I'm not a morning person. I don’t like panting exercise like cycling. I've been busy lately especially on the weekends… Excuses, excuses.

Close up of B.B.Base

Official information about B.B.Base by JR East:

https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/joyful/bbbase.html

Trainspotting at the Underground Station

Set 4651 of the EMU 4000 series stands at Mitsuzawa-shimocho station.

The Japan Meteorological Agency made an announcement that this year's rainy season ended on July 18th in the metropolitan area. It means that 2025 mid-summer has begun. The maximum daytime temperature is often over 35 degrees Celsius. I want to evacuate from the urban "heat island" and enjoy railways on the cool plateau, but I’m a bit busy this summer. Instead, I visited an underground track for trainspotting. As you know, it’s a little cooler than the surface track because we can avoid direct sunlight underground. What’s more, many underground stations in the metropolitan area are airconditioned. I have no choice but to go.

My destination was Mitsuzawa-shimocho station on the Blue line of Yokohama Municipal Subway. Why? Trainspotters like me wish to shoot the whole train including the bogies. For that purpose, I have to find a suitable underground station. Firstly, a station having two separate platforms serving two tracks is an idealized condition, because I can shoot the whole train including bogies from the opposite platform. “Every exit is an entry to somewhere else.” Next, I have to carefully choose a station without pillars between the two tracks, because pillars block the view. In conclusion, Mitsuzawa-shimocho is an idealized spot.

Please look at the top photo. The EMU 4000 series stands at Mitsuzawa-shimocho station. What’ new with this train? I found a large, rounded sticker on the front. Yokohama City is preparing for a major event, “GREEN×EXPO 2027”. This sticker will generate enthusiasm for the EXPO (see the photo below).

GREEN x EXPO2027 sticker on the front of the EMU 4000 series 

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