Calpis Express: My Favorite Branded Train

Set 205 of the EMU Tobu 200 series, "Calpis Express" branded train

Do you see branded trains in your country? In Japan, yes, I often see trains being wrapped by corporate advertisements on the tracks. They are, for example, "Magical Dream Shinkansen" on the JR East Tohoku Shinkansen and "Studio Tour Tokyo Express" on the Seibu line. They are unique, beautiful and eye-catching; however, some of the branded trains are too flashy for me, so, I often hesitate to introduce branded trains in this blog.

I recently came across a new branded train on the Tobu line. Please look at the top photo. That's Set 205 of the EMU Tobu 200 series, nicknamed the "Calpis Express". It's operated between Asakusa and Akagi (or Oota, Isesaki) terminals. Calpis is the most famous probiotic drinks brand in Japan. I have also been drinking Calpis since I was a child. It makes me feel refreshed specifically in the hot summer. The bodies of the Calpis Express also make me feel refreshed. They are two-toned of blue and white... very cool. The illustrations of Calpis bottles are also cute and my favorite.

Incidentally, Set 205 of the EMU 200 series was commissioned in 1992. It had two-toned of red and white-colored bodies. In contrast to its beautiful appearance, the technical specification of the 200 series is rather old. For example, the electric control system is traditional rheostatic. Please look at the photo below. There is a resistor, which creates uncomfortable heat under the floor... but, please don't worry! The bodies of the Calpis Express train will make it refreshing.

Logo of the Calpis Exress and the resistor under the floor

2024 Sakura Season on the Keihin-Tohoku-Negishi Line

EMU JR East E233-1000 series comes out from the 2nd Takenomaru Tunnel

Subsequent to the Odakyu line, I'm continuing to show you this year's sakura (cherry) blossoms in the metropolitan area.

Yokohama is located about 20 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, and is the prefectural capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture. It's the second largest city in Japan in terms of population after Tokyo. Just like Tokyo, there are many sakura viewing spots such as Sankei-en. Today, please let me introduce you a park located in the southern part the city.

Negishi Forest Park is a large public park on a hilly terrain. It was originally opened as Japan's first Western-style horse racing course in 1866. Unfortunately, it was closed in 1943 due to WWII, but opened again in 1977 as a public park. When I visited the other day, a gentle hill was fully covered by the light pink-colored sakura blossoms. It showed a vivid contrast with the blue sky and the green grass. Fantastic!

To get to this cherry blossoms' hill, the nearest station is Yamate on the JR East Keihin-Tohoku-Negishi line. Yamate means a place that's close to mountains. As its name suggests, Yamate station is situated in a valley within a mountainous area. There are tunnels in the vicinity of the station that cannot be imagined within the urban area. On the way back home, I enjoyed shooting trains, which were coming out from the 2nd Takenomaru tunnel, for a while. As you know, the train on the Keihin-Tohoku-Negishi line is the blue colored train, named the EMU E233-1000 series.

Sakura (cherry) trees in full bloom in Negishi Forest Park near Yamate station

2024 Sakura Season on the Odakyu Line

EMU Odakyu 70000 series, "GSE", passes by sakura trees in full bloom

This year's sakura (cherry blossom) season has long since passed in the metropolitan area, but I continue posting this topic for the time being.

A wide variety of sakuras are seen on the Odakyu lines ranging from famous spots such as Senbonzakura to nameless trees in my neighborhood. This year, I visited Zama City in Kanagawa Prefecture, about 50 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. I got off at Sobudaimae station on the Odakyu-Odawara line, and headed southwestward. Ten minutes later, I found that old sakura trees in full bloom formed a line on both sides of the track. Spring was in full swing!

Standing at the end of the overpass, I could observe many kinds of trains passing by sakura trees. One of the gains was a vermillion-colored train, the EMU 70000 series, also known as Romance Car "GSE (Graceful Super Express)". Actually, that was the first time for me to observe the roof of GSE. I found that the air-conditioners are beautifully integrated with the roofs. There are three air-conditioners on the head car, which look like a part of the roof. One of those air-conditioners is used for the driver's room, which is located on the second floor. GSE is generous to drivers as well. On the other hand, two separate air-conditioners are seen on the edges of the middle cars. It looks good as the roofs are neat and tidy. It was unexpected to find the train roof like this. Trainspotting is indeed interesting, isn't it?

An old sakura tree in full bloom and the EMU Odakyu 3000 series

Serving Quadruple Purposes at One Railway Crossing

Container train pulled by the electric locomotive Class JR Freight EH500, "Kintaro" 

This is the sequel of my trip to Fukushima City last month. I would like to show you my favorite spot in the city.

Yashikishita Railway Crossing is a famous train viewing spot among rail-fans. We can observe four kinds of trains there. I didn't look up the train schedule on purpose, and waited for trains with excitement. Ten minutes later, a red-colored locomotive jumped into my eyes. That was JR Freight's electric locomotive Class EH 500. Cool! The EH500, also known as Kintaro, was launched in 1997. It's an AC (20,000V, 50 and 60Hz) - DC (1,500V) triple mode locomotive. Being coupled in two units, the UIC indication of a wheel arrangement is (Bo-Bo)+(Bo-Bo). It has eight 565kW induction motors with a variable frequency drive control system. Pulling cargo container wagons, its maximum speed is 110 kilometers per hour. Five minutes later, a green colored train approached me. That was JR East's EMU 701 series. Dazzling! The 701 series is a standard commuter train in the Tohoku area. It was commissioned in 1993. Different from the trains in Tokyo, the 701 series is an AC train. The coloring of the 701 series varies by areas. In the Fukushima area, it has green, red and white-colored stripes.

I'm running short of space in this post. You may ask, "What are the two other trains passing through this railway crossing?" Please don't worry! I've already introduced them in my previous posts. They're the Fukushima Kotsu and the Abukuma Express trains.

EMU JR East 701 series approaches Yashikishita Railway Crossing

The 20th Anniversary of the Minatomirai Line

Set Y511 of the EMU Minatomirai 500 series, the 20th anniversary poster train

On February 1st this year, Yokohama Minatomirai Company celebrated the 20th anniversary of their Minatomirai line. In commemoration, many events were held by the company.

Let me review the Minatomirai line. It's a subway route in Yokohama City, about 20 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Connecting Yokohama and Motomachi-Chukagai (Motomachi-Chinatown), the total length is 4.1 kilometers. It was opened in 2004 as an access route to the urban development area, Minatomirai 21. The track is double and electrified. The electric system is 1,500 V DC with overhead catenaries. All the trains are directly operated onto the Tokyu-Toyoko line.

The 20th anniversary poster train, Set 11 of the EMU Y500 series, is a fun event for rail-fans. We can see the rounded celebratory plate on the front. Moreover, there are stickers of the Minatomirai line's mascot character named "Em-em-san" on the side bodies. According to the company's website, Em-em-san is a seabird that attracts happiness. He (or she) was born in the port of Yokohama. He (or she) is very kind, and fond of walking and eating around. Do you want to be his (or her) friend? I accept this approachable profile, as I'm also fond of walking and eating around.

Joking aside, taking pictures of trains on the Minatomirai line is not easy, but Shin-Takashima station is the only suitable spot. There are no pillars between our position and the subway train, so, we can shoot the whole train from the opposite platform. Congratulations on the 20th anniversary, Minatomirai Railway!

Minatomirai line's mascot character, "Em-em-san"

Official information about the 20th anniversary poster train (in Japanese):

https://www.mm21railway.co.jp/info/news/2024/01/20-4.html

Official information about "Em-em-san" (in Japanese):

https://www.mm21railway.co.jp/mmsan/