Refurbished Tramcar 8501

Refurbished Toei tramcar 8501 at Arakawa Depot

You may remember that, almost two months ago, I wrote about the Toei 8500 series running past the roses in full bloom on the Arakawa Line. At that time, I mentioned that I would save the refurbishment story of the 8500 series for a future post.

Now, I finally have the chance to introduce it here. So, let’s take a closer look.

The photo above shows refurbished tramcar 8501 of the Toei 8500 series, operated on the Arakawa Line by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (Toei).

Tramcar 8501 was built by ALNA in 1990. When new, it carried a pearl-white body with a green stripe, but after 36 years of service it has now received a major refurbishment under the concept of “a fun tramline.” The car returned to service on April 16 this year.

Its new chrome-yellow livery is based on the colour scheme once seen on Tokyo tramcars around the 1970s, so it gives the car a distinctly nostalgic look. I think this style will be especially popular with long-time tram and railway fans. I was also surprised to see that even the pantograph has been painted chrome yellow. By the way, “TODEN” on the body refers to Tokyo’s historic tram system.

The interior of tramcar 8501 is even more distinctive. Please take a look at the photo below. The first thing that stands out is the elaborate wood-grain design used throughout the saloon. I forgot to mention this earlier, but both the exterior and interior were designed by Eiji Mitooka, well known for his work on many Japanese trains, including JR Kyushu’s KiHa 72 series DMU, the 787 series and the 800 series EMUs.

I was very impressed by the design itself, but as a railway enthusiast I was also curious about the materials used inside the car. At first glance, the interior looks as if it is made almost entirely of wood, so I wondered how it had passed Japan’s strict fire-safety standards for railway vehicles. In fact, the surfaces are not solid timber; flame-retardant wood-grain films have been applied over metal fittings and panels. It is a clever way of creating a warm heritage-style atmosphere while still meeting modern safety requirements.

One more point worth mentioning is that tramcar 8501 is not a special event car or a one-off display vehicle. It runs in ordinary passenger service, which makes it even more enjoyable for enthusiasts. Its daily operation can be checked via the official app, “Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line) Real-Time Location Information.”

I am sure I will be riding tramcar 8501 again before too long.

Interior of tramcar 8501

Related link:

・Official information from the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (in Japanese)

Precious Shared Track around Asukayama

Toei 7700 series Unit 7705 climbing the shared track

It may sound sudden, but do you have a place that never fails to spark joy?

For me, Asukayama is that place as a rail fan. Today, I’d like to share a small story about this area.

■ What is Asukayama?

Asukayama—literally “Asuka Mountain”—is a small hill and public park in the northern part of Tokyo. It was opened in 1732 by Yoshimune Tokugawa as a cherry blossom viewing spot for the people of old Edo.

The closest station is Ōji Station, about 17 minutes from Tokyo Station via JR East’s Keihin–Tōhoku Line. You can also access it via the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line and the Toei Arakawa Line.

■ Why is Asukayama special for rail fans?

First, two preserved vehicles stand inside the park: Toei tramcar Unit 6080 and former JNR steam locomotive D51 853 (I hope to introduce them properly in a future post).

Second, the well-known train-viewing spot Kitatopia is close by.

And third, a charming free monorail called Ascargot carries visitors up the hillside.

■ The precious shared track on the Arakawa Line

While these attractions are wonderful, there's another feature I’d love to highlight—the shared track section on the Toei Arakawa Line.

Most of the line runs on exclusive tracks, but there is one exception: the 0.5 km stretch between Ōji-ekimae and Asukayama stops.

In the photo above, Unit 7705 of the 7700 series is about to begin its climb up the shared track. Even with its 120 kW output, the incline becomes a challenge when the car is crowded. A small automobile easily passes it. Hang in there, Unit 7705!

In the photo below, after conquering the slope, Unit 9001 of the 9000 series is just about to return to the exclusive track. Bathed in the spring sunlight, it looks almost relieved. Nice work on the hill climb!

Asukayama’s charm truly never ends—including this rare shared track.

Toei 9000 series Unit 9001 running on the shared track

2026 Rose Season on the Arakawa Line

Toei 8500 series Unit 8502 near Otsuka-ekimae Stop

It is rose season in Tokyo now, and we can see beautiful blossoms in many places. This year, I visited the Toei (Bureau of Transportation, Tokyo Metropolitan Government) Arakawa Line and enjoyed the roses along the tracks. As a rail fan who loves flowers, it was a perfect place for me.

First, let me briefly introduce the Arakawa Line and its rose history.

Tokyo once had a tram network of 181 km, but most routes were closed because of heavy traffic. The Arakawa Line is a precious survivor, since most of it was built on an exclusive track. It runs between Waseda and Minowabashi, with a total length of 12.2 km. The entire route is double-track. The track gauge is 1,372 mm, and the electric system is 600 V DC.

The Arakawa Line is also known for its roses. Rose planting began in 1985 by Arakawa Ward. Later, Toshima Ward and local volunteers joined, and they have continued planting and taking care of many kinds of roses along the tracks.

Now, let’s stop and smell the roses! Please look at the photo above.

I took it near Otsuka-ekimae Stop. Roses are planted in the narrow space between the tracks and the road, using the fence as support. The deep red roses were in full bloom. When the tramcar slowly passed by, a gentle breeze carried their sweet fragrance. It was wonderful.

Next, please check out the photo below. I took it at Minowabashi Stop, which is a must-visit spot. This year, I photographed a different flower bed from the one I saw eleven years ago. There are so many flowers that the tramcar looks a bit modest. Maybe that is too much to say, since this is a railway blog.

By the way, the tramcar in both photos is Unit 8502 of the 8500 series. It is a mid-sized 13-meter tramcar equipped with Toei’s first VFD traction system and two 60 kW induction motors.

The 8500 series began service in 1990, but production stopped after only five cars because of financial issues in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Finally, I have some news. The first unit of the 8500 series, Unit 8501, was recently refurbished. I am running out of space here, so I will write about it in a future post. Please look forward to it!

Toei 8500 series Unit 8502 at Minowabashi Stop

2025 Merry Christmas from the Arakawa Line

Interior of Christmas Tramcar 9002 of the Toei 9000 series

I recently had a chance to visit the Toei Arakawa Line for the first time in a year. Like the Keio Inokashira Line, which I introduced in my previous post, I found that one of the trams on the Arakawa Line was also decorated for Christmas. Please take a look at the top photo. Isn’t it charming?

This year, the well-known florist Hibiya-Kadan designed the Christmas decorations for the tram. You can see wreath-like stickers on the tram windows. The smiling character you see is Toaran, the mascot of the Arakawa Line, chosen in a public contest. Toaran usually wears a single-arm pantograph on its head, but for this Christmas season it has been playfully topped with a red and white Santa hat. I’m very observant, aren’t I? Though I know I shouldn’t toot my own horn.

Incidentally, the tram with the Christmas decorations is Tramcar 9002 of the Toei 9000 series (see the photo below). The 9000 series is a retro-inspired model commissioned in 2007. Only two cars were built by Alna Sharyo. Each unit has a different color scheme: brownish red (Tramcar 9001) and indigo blue (Tramcar 9002). The 9000 series is mid-sized (13 meters long) and mounted on two bogies with double axles. The trams are equipped with an IGBT variable-frequency control system and two 60 kW induction motors. Although the technical specifications of the 9000 series are modernized, the exterior design and interior atmosphere remain nostalgic.

I will continue sharing my encounters with railway vehicles.

Tramcar 9002 of the Toei 9000 series displaying a “Merry Christmas” plate

Related link:

・ Official information about the Christmas Tramcar by Toei (in Japanese)

The 100th Anniversary of the Setagaya Line

Tokyu 300 series Set 305 with the 100th anniversary sticker

On May 1st, Tokyu Railways celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Setagaya Line. To mark the occasion, Tokyu organized a variety of local events.

Let me review the Setagaya Line. It operates under the Tramways Act, connecting Sangenjaya on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line with Shimo-Takaido on the Keio Line. The line is 5.0 kilometers long, entirely double-tracked, electrified at 600 V DC, and built to a 1,372 mm gauge. The Setagaya Line originally opened in 1925 as a branch of the Tamagawa Line (hereafter Tamaden). The Tamaden main line, which opened in 1907, connected Shibuya with Futako-Tamagawa via Sangenjaya. Since the Tamaden was constructed as a streetcar line running along National Highway 246, it unfortunately had to be abolished in 1969 due to severe traffic congestion. The Setagaya Line, on the other hand, was built as a dedicated right-of-way, which is why only this branch line has survived.

One of the anniversary events was the addition of special memorial stickers on the trams. Please look at the top photo. This is Set 305 of the Tokyu 300 series tramcars, carrying a special round memorial sticker on the front. It looks beautiful, but wait a moment—something is missing. Speaking of the 300 series, why not also capture Set 301 in Tamaden colors? As I mentioned before, Set 301 is the representative tramcar of the Setagaya Line. That’s why I returned to Yamashita stop on another day to photograph Set 301 (see the photo below). Railfans are sticklers for detail when it comes to their photo subjects, aren’t they?

Set 301 in Tamaden colors arriving at Yamashita stop on the Setagaya Line

Official information about the 100th anniversary of the Setagaya Line (Japanese only):

https://www.tokyu.co.jp/company/information/pdf/20250416_setagayasen100_d.pdf

Visit to Kumamoto: A Must-See Spot

Unit 9202 of the Kumamoto City Tram 9200 series

Following my post from March 29, 2025, I’d like to share the rest of our trip to Kumamoto.

Looking back, I realize that most of the places I visited this time were off the beaten path. Still, there was at least one must-see destination in Kumamoto Prefecture: Mt. Aso, in the northeast of the prefecture. This massive active volcano is famous for its enormous caldera, which measures about 25 kilometers across and is considered one of the largest in the world. The central cone group includes five peaks, among them Taka-dake (1,592 meters, the highest) and Naka-dake, which remains active today (see the photo below). The Nakadake trail is often closed when volcanic gases are too strong or when the activity level rises.

But I can’t end here, since this is a railway blog. So let me also introduce one more tramcar of the Kumamoto City Tram. Please look at the top photo. This is Unit 9202 of the 9200 series. The series was introduced in 1992 to strengthen transport capacity, and only five units were manufactured by ALNA. Each car is mid-sized (13.5 meters in length) and mounted on two bogies with double axles. They are equipped with a variable-frequency control system and two 100 kW induction motors. Note the inclined front glass, which also functions as a panoramic window. This design closely resembles that of the Toei 8500 series, which entered service in the early 1990s, suggesting that such styling was a popular trend at the time.

In Kumamoto, I was able to enjoy both a must-see natural wonder and a distinctive tramcar.

Active Naka-dake crater, Mt. Aso

Preserved Tramcar in the Open-air Architectural Museum

Unit 7514 of the Toei 7500 series tram preserved in Koganei City

The Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum is a lovely place where you can see many historic Japanese buildings. It’s located in Koganei City, about 30 kilometers west of central Tokyo. Since the 17th century, Tokyo has lost a number of precious old buildings because of fires, floods, earthquakes, and even wars. To protect and share what’s left, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government opened this museum in 1993 as an annex of the Edo-Tokyo Museum. The museum’s goal is to relocate, rebuild, and preserve buildings of great cultural value, and to hand down these treasures to future generations. One of my favorite spots is the public bathhouse Kodakara-yu (see the photo below).

The museum doesn’t just display old buildings. Please take a look at the top photo — this is unit 7514 of the Toei 7500 series tram. The 7500 series was introduced in 1962 as a mid-sized (12.52-meter-long) double-bogie tramcar for the Tokyo streetcar lines. Each car had two 60 kW DC motors and could run up to 40 kilometers per hour. After running for 16 years, unit 7514 was retired in 1978.

By the way, unit 7504, which I showed in a previous post, is a “sister car” of this one. You may notice that the color of the body stripe is different. The red stripe on unit 7514 was the original design used when the series debuted in 1962. On the other hand, the blue stripe on unit 7504 appeared around 1975, when one-man (driver-only) operation started.

Kodakara-yu (center) in the Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum

 

Official information about unit 7514 (Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum)

(Please scroll to the bottom of the page)

https://www.tatemonoen.jp/english/restore/intro/outdoor.php

Visit to Kumamoto: A Friendly Bird and a Tramcar

Trainset 0803 of the Kumamoto City Tram 0800 series

Sorry for jumping from one topic to another, but today I’d like to share a story from my recent trip to Kumamoto.

When I visited Mt. Kinbo in Kumamoto City with my family, we happened to meet a group of local hikers. The leader kindly showed us how to make friends with wild birds there. Please take a look at the photo below. If you put a nut on your palm and hold it out, a Yamagara (Varied Tit) will gently land on your hand and start eating it. Isn’t that adorable? I had never seen such a friendly wild bird before.

Of course, I can’t finish this post without talking about trains—this is a railway blog after all! Please look at the top photo. It shows trainset 0803 of the Kumamoto City Tram’s 0800 series. The 0800 series entered service in 2009 and is a type of light rail transit (LRT). Only three sets were built by Niigata Transys.

Each train has two cars with two bogies, meaning it doesn’t have an articulated bogie. The total length is about 18 meters. It’s equipped with an IGBT-VVVF inverter control system (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor – variable frequency drive) and two 100 kW induction motors.

The third set, trainset 0803, is the newest one. Its warm wooden interior gives passengers a calm and relaxing feeling. The nickname of trainset 0803 is “COCORO” (meaning “mind” or “heart”). It’s beloved by locals because it truly connects with people’s hearts.

I really enjoyed meeting both the friendly bird and the charming tramcar in Kumamoto City.

A friendly wild Yamagara (Varied Tit) seen at the summit of Mt. Kinbo

Visit to Kumamoto: Tram and Unkai

Unit 1097 of the Kumamoto City Tram 1090 series

Kumamoto is the main city of Kumamoto Prefecture, located about 900 kilometers west of Tokyo. It has developed as the capital of the former Higo Province since the 8th century. The population now stands at around 740,000, making it the third largest city on Kyushu Island.

It’s true that Kumamoto is a large city, but there’s more to it than that. For example, Mt. Kinbo is a beautiful scenic spot in the western part of the city. From the summit, you can see Mt. Unzen and the Shimabara Peninsula across the sea. What made my visit even more special was the large unkai (sea of clouds) that covered Kumamoto City and Shimabara Bay (see the photo below). I was very lucky to witness it.

Of course, I can’t stop writing here — this is a rail fan’s blog after all. So, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce the Kumamoto City Tram.

The tram system opened in 1924 and has been operated by the Transportation Bureau of Kumamoto City. The total operating length is currently 12.1 kilometers. The electrical system is 600 V DC, and the track gauge is 1,435 millimeters.

The main fleet on the line is the 1090 series electric car (see the photo above). It was introduced in 1955, with a total of seven units built by Toyo Koki. Although the technical specifications are rather old, all units are still in active service. One of the design features of this tram is its tail lamps, known as “Basu-kyō tails” — standard tail lamps for buses. Using common parts between trams and buses helped reduce costs.

Unkai (sea of clouds) seen from Mt. Kinbo in Kumamoto City

Kumamoto City Tram boarding guide:

https://www.kotsu-kumamoto.jp/common/UploadFileDsp.aspx?c_id=9&id=2&set_doc=1

Official information by Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau (in Japanese):

https://www.kotsu-kumamoto.jp/

Merry Christmas from the Arakawa Line

Tramcar Unit 9002 of the Toei 9000 series displaying a “Merry Christmas” plate

Merry Christmas! How are you spending the holidays this year? Christmas is a religious event in many countries around the world, but in Japan it’s more like a seasonal celebration. For example, people enjoy Christmas lights—also known as winter illuminations—glittering here and there across Tokyo.

Now, let’s move on to the main topic. I found that a tramcar on the Toei Arakawa Line is decorated for Christmas again this year, just like in previous years. Please take a look at the photos. Isn’t it charming? The tramcar is Unit 9002 of the Toei 9000 series. The 9000 series is a retro-inspired model introduced in 2007. Only two units were built by Alna Sharyo, each in a different body color: brownish-red (Unit 9001) and indigo blue (Unit 9002). Its electric control system is an IGBT-VVVF inverter driving two 60 kW induction motors. Although its technical specifications are modern, the exterior design and interior ambiance remain nostalgic—and that’s exactly what makes it fun.

Incidentally, the Toei Arakawa Line is a precious survivor among Tokyo’s tram routes. Operated by the Bureau of Transportation of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (Toei), the line was originally two separate routes, Nos. 27 and 32. They were combined into the present Arakawa Line in 1974. Running between Waseda and Minowabashi, the line stretches 12.2 kilometers. The track gauge is 1,372 millimeters, and the line is electrified at 600 V DC.

Side view of Unit 9002 with Christmas decorations

Official information about Unit 9002’s Christmas decorations is available from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Transportation (in Japanese).

https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/pickup_information/news/toden/2024/tdn_i_2024112911794_h.html

Preserved Tramcar above Rairai-kyo Gorge

Unit 119 of the former Sendai City Tram MoHa 100 series

I recently visited Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture on business. After finishing my meeting, I went to the Akiu area of the city and enjoyed a walk along a beautiful gorge.

Rairai-kyo is a deep gorge formed in pumice tuff deposited about eight million years ago. This rock is relatively soft but does not crumble easily, so it has been used for buildings and fences in Sendai City. If you look down into Rairai-kyo from a bridge crossing the gorge, you can find a heart-shaped groove in the rock (see the photo below). This is a so-called tafoni, a cavity created by chemical erosion, and it has become a popular spot for couples.

Well, I cannot end the story here, as this is a railway blog. Just above the gorge, I found a preserved tramcar (see the top photo). What is it? It is Unit 119 of the former Sendai City Tram MoHa 100 series. The MoHa 100 series is a medium-sized (11.9-meter-long) double-axle bogie car. It is equipped with two 38 kW DC series motors, and its rated speed is 21 kilometers per hour. A traditional nose-suspension drive system is adopted.

Unit 119 was built by Niigata Tekko in 1952. After operating for 48 years in Sendai and Nagasaki, it was withdrawn from service in 2000 and relocated to Rairai-kyo Gorge in 2002. Unit 119 is known as a “brother” of the unnamed tramcar at Seibu-en Amusement Park (see my post from February 15, 2023).

Unit 119—thank you for your long service. Have a good rest.

A heart-shaped groove in the rock at Rairai-kyo Gorge

Preserved Electric Car in Yamanashi Prefecture

Unit MoHa7 of the electric car Yamanashi Kotsu 7 series

I recently visited a hot spring in Yamanashi Prefecture. It was an ultimate relax time for me, but there was more. On the way home, I could observe a preserved electric car of the ex-Yamanashi Kotsu line.

To start, let me quickly explain the Yamanashi Kotsu line. Yamanashi Kotsu is currently a local bus and taxi company in Yamanashi Prefecture, but this company once owned a tramline named Yamanashi Kotsu line. This route was opened in 1930 as a commuting route between the city center of Kofu and its suburban residential areas. Connecting Kofu-ekimae and Kai-aoyagi, its route length was 20.8 kilometers. The gauge size was 1,067 millimeters and the electric system was 600 V DC. The Yamanashi Kotsu line was unfortunately closed in 1962 due to spreading automobiles and deterioration of the facilities.

Although most of the vehicles on the Yamanashi Kotsu line had been scrapped, one unit is still preserved in Tonegawa Park in Fujikawa Town, which is close to the abandoned track. Please look at the top photo. That's Unit MoHa 7 of the electric car 7 series. Unit MoHa 7 was built in 1948 by Kisha-seizo. It's a 13.8-meters-long car with a semi-steel body, and weighs 22,000 kilograms. It has four 37.5 kW DC motors. Finally, I would like to note as an aside that Unit MoHa 7 was being protected by three strong bouncers. They were small and quiet, but flint-eyed. Who were they? Please take a look at the picture below and identify them yourself.

Unit MoHa 7 is protected by three bouncers

Preserved Streetcar in Yokohama City, Part 6

Unit 1156 of the electric car 1150 series is preserved in Kuraki Park

Do you remember when I introduced you to five preserved streetcars of the ex-Yokohama City Tram several years ago. They were the electric cars 500, 1100, 1300, 1500 and 1600 series preserved in the Yokohama Tram Museum. Today, I'm going to show you one more, named the 1150 series, preserved in a public park.

To start, let me quickly review the Yokohama City Tram. Yokohama is located about 20 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, and is the second largest city in Japan. This mega-city once had an extensive tram network operated by the Transportation Bureau of Yokohama City. The track was 1,372 millimeter-size gauge. Its electric system was 600 V DC. The city tram was a very useful transportation means for local people, but, was unfortunately abolished in 1972 due to heavy traffic congestion. Most of the streetcars were then scrapped; however, several units are still preserved in a museum and public parks.

Let's get down to the main topic. Unit 1156 of the electric car 1150 series is a 12-meter-long streetcar preserved in Kuraki Park, Yokohama City. It was built by Utsunomiya-sharyo (present SUBARU) in 1952. The 1150 series looks like the 1500 series, which I introduced several years ago, but its technical specifications are different. To be honest, the performance of the newer 1150 series was lower than that of the older 1500 series. Why? Because, the older 1500 series was a high cost. Cost reduction was necessary when the newer 1150 series was designed. That was inevitable.

Side view of Unit 1156

Winter Roses on the Arakawa Line

Electric car unit 8804 of the Toei 8800 series and the rose blossoms

It is mid-winter in Japan. In this season, the backbone mountains block the cold and wet wind blowing from the northwest, which causes heavy snow to fall on the Japan Sea side. In contrast, it's clear every day in Tokyo on the Pacific Ocean, because the only dry air jumped over the backbone mountains. The maximum daytime temperature is lower than 10 degrees Celsius in Tokyo; however, I found that the roses were blooming beautifully here and there outside the downtown area. One of the examples is on the Arakawa line, which is operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (Toei).

Let me review the Arakawa line. It's a precious survivor of the tram route in Tokyo. It was once operated as two routes, namely Routes 27 and 32; however, they were merged into one route, the Arakawa Line, in 1974. Connecting Waseda and Minowabashi, its route length is 12.2 kilometers. The track is 1,372 millimeter-size gauge and double. Its electric system is 600 V DC with catenaries.

After looking at the magenta-colored rose blossoms, I decided to shoot both the roses and the magenta-colored tram in the same image. If my memory serves me correctly, there are 7 units of magenta-colored trams on the line, namely unit 8801 to 8805, 8905 and 8906. Five minutes later, the tram, which I was looking for, was approaching me. That's unit 8804 of the electric car 8800 series. Its body color was completely same as those of the roses beside the track (top photo). Hooray!

Electric car Toei 7700 series and the rose blossoms

"Mikan-densha" on the Matsuyama City Lines

Electric cars, Iyotetsu unit 2005 (left) and 51 (right)

(Photo: Nicolai Okkels)

I would prefer to keep going with the topic of Iyo Railway in Ehime Prefecture. My thanks again go to Nicolai Okkels, who kindly sent me the recent photographs.

The Matsuyama City lines of Iyo Railway (Iyotetsu) are filled with the orange-colored tramcars. I didn't get to see a sight like this when I visited Matsuyama City in 2014. As I explained two posts ago, Iyotetsu unified their trains and tramcars in orange-colored bodies in 2015, because Ehime Prefecture is well known for oranges. Among these, "Mikan-densha (Orange train)" is a unique vehicle. Please look at the top photo. You can see the Mikan-densha, unit MoHa 51 of the MoHa 50 series, on the right side of the image. The photo below is the interior of unit MoHa 51. It's filled with posters of the local oranges. The straps are decorated with orange models. I wouldn't be surprised if they had a refreshing citrus aroma. They make me hungry. This interior is provided by Ehime Headquarters of the National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations (Zen-noh).

Incidentally, the MoHa 50 series was launched in 1951. A total of 28 units were built by Naniwa Koki and Teikoku Sharyo. The electric car unit 51 is the top number car, and belongs to the first manufactured group of the MoHa 50 series. The rounded high roof with a large single front light is nostalgic, and my favorite. "Mikan-densha", unit 51, has a big impact on the local people and tourists to Ehime Prefecture.

Interior of the electric car, Iyotetsu unit 51, Mikan-densha (Orange train)

(Photo: Nicolai Okkels)

Official information about "Mikan-densha" by Iyotetsu (in Japanese):

https://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/kankou/rail.html

Official information about "Mikan-densha" by Zen-noh (in Japanese):

https://www.zennoh-weekly.jp/wp/article/19818

The Newest Tramline in Japan: Part 2

Set HU306 of the HU300 series passes through the Kiyohara Industrial Park

Let me continue from where I left off my last post. I'm going to describe the tramcars on the Haga-Utsunomiya LRT line.

The EMU HU300 series is the sole model on the line. A total of 17 sets were built by Niigata Transys in technical partnership with Bombardier (present Alstom). They are set HU301 to HU317. One set is 29.52 meters long, which just barely stayed within the limit of the Tramways Act of Japan, namely 30 meters. It's composed of 3 cars and each car has one bogie. One set can accommodate 160 passengers, which is the largest capacity of the Japanese tramcars.

The good thing about the interior of the HU300 series for me is its box-type cross-seats. They are black-colored and classy. On the other hand, the priority seats are long-seats. It makes it easier to sit down and stand up for elderly passengers. Regarding the technical specifications, the HU300 series has an IGBT variable-frequency drive electric control system. Each car has one 100 kW three-phase induction motor. The current maximum running speed of the HU300 series is 40 kilometers per hour, but its maximum design speed is 70 kilometers per hour. I hope Haga-Utsunomiya LRT will raise up its operating speed in the near future.

Incidentally, set HU306 is the special poster train of Utsunomiya Brex, which is a professional basketball team based in Utsunomiya City. Its bodies are decorated with team logos and famous players' portraits. Set HU306 holds a special place in the HU300 series.

Side view of Set HU306

The Newest Tramline in Japan

Set HU304 of the electric car HU300 series arrives at Utsunomiya Station East

On August 26th, a new tramline named Haga-Utsunomiya LRT was opened between Utsunomiya City and Haga Town in Tochigi Prefecture. Inauguration of the new tramline in Japan was for the first time in 75 years.

Japan once had extensive tram networks in many mega-cities. Those tramlines functioned as commuter transportation arteries, but most of the routes have already been abolished due to heavy traffic jams. For example, only two routes, namely the Toei-Arakawa line and the Tokyu-Setagaya line, survive in Tokyo. People have been thinking that the tramline is a relic of the past. Wait a second, the times have changed. Super-low floor type streetcars (so-called LRT) in European countries have provided a hint for considering new urban traffic systems in Japan. The LRT is said to have many merits, such as lower construction cost compared to subways, speedier than buses and friendly for aging people. Tramlines must revive.

Haga-Utsunomiya LRT is a 14.5-kilometers-long tramline connecting Utsunomiya Station East and Haga Takanezawa Industrial Park. There are 19 stations. The track is double and the gauge size is 1,067 millimeters. The electric system is 750 volts direct current. Tramcars are operated every 8 minutes in the rush hour and every 12 minutes in the daytime. The operating speed of the tramcar is 40 kilometers per hour. Passengers can enjoy not only the cityscape but also the scenery of the industrial park and the countryside. I remembered the C-Train in Calgary, Canada, where I visited twelve years ago.

To be continued...

Set HU306 travels on the Haga-Utsunomiya LRT line

Official website, Haga-Utsunomiya LRT, Utsunomiya Light Rail Co., Ltd. (in Japanese):

https://www.miyarail.co.jp/

Cafe 193 in Arakawa Ward

Unit 6152 of the tramcar Toei 6000 series, "Cafe 193", in Arakawa Amusement Park

After observing the preserved tramcar in Bunkyo Ward of Tokyo Metropolis, I remembered that the same type of vehicle is exhibited in Arakawa Ward as well. That's unit 6152 of the tramcar Toei 6000 series.

Unit 6152 was built in 1949 by Nippon Sharyo. Although most of the 6000 series tramcars were scrapped in the early 1970's, unit 6152 had exceptionally survived for 52 years, and was retired from the track in 2001. Why outlived? That was because unit 6152 had been used for special missions such as chartered trains for local festivals.

After its retirement, unit 6152 was transferred to Arakawa Ward, and opened to the public in Arakawa Amusement Park in 2003. It was then renovated due to deterioration, and reopened as a coffee shop named "Cafe 193" in 2022. What's the meaning of "193"? It's a mnemonic of "single-light tramcar" in Japanese. As its name suggests, unit 6152 has a large rounded light on the front. That's lovely, isn't it? Unit 6152 still retains its body color design from the 1950's. It's two-toned of dark green and beige... so beautiful!

I remembered that "Cafe 193" is similar to "Cafe 107", which I posted before in this blog. Cafe 107 is also a coffee shop using a retired electric car of Hakone Tozan Railway in Kanagawa Prefecture. Visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of the good old days while tasting drinks and local foods in the car. A cafe in a converted car... that's a paradise for railfans.

Interior of unit 6152, "Cafe 193" 

Preserved Tramcar in Bunkyo Ward, Part 2

Tramcar unit Otsu-2 of the Otsu-1 series

After observing the preserved tramcar, unit 6063 of the Toei 6000 series, I moved to the other tramcar, which is exhibited next to unit 6063 in Shinmei Toden-shakoato Park. What's that green-colored tramcar?

The answer is an electric open wagon, unit Otsu-2 of the Otsu-1 series. Unit Otsu-2 was built in 1941 at Shibaura Factory of the Electricity Bureau, Tokyo City (present Transportation Bureau, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government). It had been used for freight transport such as ballast for the tram lines. It's a 7.65-meter-long and 3.453-meter-high vehicle with a wooden body. It has a two-wheeled bogie, named Brill 21E, which was made by J. B. Brill and Company in the United States. Two 18.7 kW direct current motors are equipped, and can bear up to 5 tons of freight. The dead weight is 7 tons. After operating for 30 years, unit Otsu-2 was retired from the track in 1971. I was very happy to observe this very precious vehicle being preserved in good condition.

Incidentally, I found a fun play facility in front of the two tramcars. It's a shallow pond with fountains, named "Jabujabu-ike" (Splash Pond). Children can safely play in the pond. A slide and a bridge are also equipped along the pond. I saw that many local kids were screaming and enjoying it there. The historical vehicles and the fun pond... Shinmei Toden-shakoato Park is a unique spot in Bunkyo Ward of Tokyo Metropolis. I would like to thank everyone involved in this park improvement project.

Jabujabu-ike (Splash Pond), unit Otsu-2 (left) and 6063 (right)

Preserved Tramcar in Bunkyo Ward

Unit 6063 of the tramcar Toei 6000 series

On February 19th, 2023, Bunkyo Ward of Tokyo Metropolis reopened its Shinmei Toden-shakoato Park after renovation. Accordingly, the preserved tramcar named Toei 6063 was also opened to the public again.

Let me review the tram lines in Tokyo to start. Tokyo once had a 181-kilometer-long extensive tram network, which functioned as commuter transportation arteries in the mega-city. Time has passed and most routes have already been abolished due to heavy traffic jams. Today, only the Toei-Arakawa line (12.2 kilometers) and the Tokyu-Setagaya line (5.0 kilometers) survive, as those lines were constructed as exclusive tracks.

To learn the history of trams in Tokyo, the best way is to observe the preserved tramcars. For instance, the Toei (the Transportation Bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government) 6000 series is a good example. The 6000 series was launched in 1947 as a 12-meter-long street car for the 600 V DC electric system. A total of 290 cars were built by several manufacturers, but only six cars are currently preserved in several public parks.

Shinmei Toden-shakoato Park, where unit 6053 is preserved, was once a depot of the Toei tramcars. Unit 6063 was built in 1949 by Fuji Sangyo (present SUBARU). After operating for 29 years, it was retired from the track in 1978. This year, it was perfectly renovated, and reopened to the public as if it's a new car. The body and windows of unit 6063 are shiny in the park. I would like to thank everyone involved in this renovation project.

Side view of unit 6063