Tight Railway Schedule on the Keio Line

EMU Keio 8000 series (left) approaches the preceding 9000 (right) series near Meidaimae Station

 

Keio is one of the busiest railway lines in Japan. Its congestion during rush hour is well known among Tokyoites. Currently, this company operates 30 trains of 20m long 10-car trains in the peak one hour toward the city center on the double track section.

It's too soon to be surprised. You will see "a train jam" during rush hour, if you visit a major station such as Meidaimae. While one train is standing at the station for passengers getting on and off, the next train is already approaching and waiting just behind the standing preceding train. The distance between the two trains is only tens of meters. Too close!

What has made it possible for this tight railway schedule? It is because of the new ATC (automatic train control) signal system. Keio Electric Railway introduced the latest signal system in 2011. Each train has begun to calculate its appropriate speed to maintain a distance from its preceding train by an on board computer, receiving a signal from surface equipment. Of course, train brakes work automatically, if there is a risk of colliding with the preceding train.

As a result of the new system introduction, all railway traffic lights had been removed from the track. The "traffic lights" had been moved from the track to speed meters in the cabins. That's why all trains can stop at any point on the track, even just behind a preceding train.

Tight railway schedule on the Keio Line... it is a new Tokyo institution.
 

EMU Keio 7000 series (left) approaches the preceding 9000 (right) series near Meidaimae Station

Electric Locomotive JRF Class EF210: Momotaro

Pulling a containerized freight train, the EL JRF Class EF210 travels on the Tokaido Main Line

 

JR Freight (JRF) is one of the JR group railway companies. It was established in 1987, when the Japanese National Railways were split into seven companies. Different from the other JR group companies, JRF specializes only in freight transportation and operates their trains on a nationwide scale, using the other JR group companies' tracks.

One of JRF's major locomotive fleets is the electric locomotive (EL) Class EF210 for 1,067mm gauge trunk lines. It was launched in 1996 to replace an old EL, Class EF65. A total of 95 units have been built so far by Mitsubishi Electric and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The Class EF210 is a 1,500V direct current EL with an axis arrangement Bo-Bo-Bo (UIC notation). It has six induction motors with a VVVF inverter (variable frequency drive) control system. Its total rating power is 3,540kW (30 min). Pulling a total of 1,300 ton cargo container wagons, the EE210 can travel with a maximum speed of 110 km per hour.

The nickname of the Class EF210 is Momotaro (Peach Boy), who was a famous samurai in Japanese folklore. Momotaro was born in Okayama Prefecture and known as a hero, who whopped a demon in Onigashima (Demon's Island). When the Class EF210 debuted, it was deployed at Okayama Engine Depot at first. That's why this local hero's name, Momotaro, has been adopted as a nickname of the new EL.

A contemporary Momotaro doesn't whop demons, but transports 1,300-ton containers at high speed.
 

The EL JRF Class EF210-100 with single arm pantographs passes through Oofuna Station

Nippori: Deep Core in Downtown Tokyo

"Shimogoindenbashi Train Museum" in front of Nippori Station on the JR East and Keisei lines

Tokyo, its former name was Edo, has been developed as a castle city since 16th century. The city of Edo was roughly categorized into an uptown area west of Edo Castle where samurai lived, and a downtown area facing several rivers and moats where commoners lived. Nippori is located north of Edo Castle and known as one of the typical downtown areas.

Once you get off at Nippori Station on the JR East or Keisei line, you will find an old fashioned shopping district there. Festivals and customs from the Edo Period (1603-1868) still exist. Generally speaking, local people are friendly and kind, probably because it's a close-knit community.

Along with traditional shopping streets, you, rail fans can also enjoy your own way in Nippori. There is a reputable spot, "Shimogoindenbashi Train Museum", in front of the station. Shimogoindenbashi is not a real train museum, but a bridge spanning railway tracks. A total of 12 tracks are seen from the bridge. In addition, you can see the elevated double track of the Keisei Main Line on the right-hand side.

Surprisingly, a total of 2,500 trains run under the bridge per day! So, you can enjoy trains continuously there. In fact, the bridge is always crowded with people. They are rail fans, children with their parents and tourists including foreigners. You can see a descriptive plate about the trains running under the bridge to identify them.

Nippori... it is a deep core in downtown Tokyo for both tourists and rail fans.
 

"Yuyake-dandan (sunset steps)" is the entrance of Yanaka Shopping Street near Nippori Station

Variation of the Toei 10-300 Series

Set 510 of the EMU Toei 10-300 series (3rd batch) travels on the Keio Line

Cars of railway vehicles often differ. Even in the same model, detailed specifications such as coloring design of bodies or the type of equipment are subtly different in each car. Finding such small differences is one of the great pleasures for rail fans like me.

The EMU Toei 10-300 series is a visible example. This model was launched in 2005 replacing the old 10-000 series. Currently, there are three types of the 10-300 series. Let's look at the differences of these three types of trains focusing on the front car designs.

Group A is the 1st and 2nd batches of the 10-300 series. It has two centralized frontal lights on the top part of its "face". A thick light green colored and a thin dark blue colored stripes are seen on the body.

Group B is the 3rd and 4th batches of the 10-300 series. It has two separate frontal lights on the lower part of its "face". Thick green and dark blue colored stripes are seen on the face, but a blue colored stripe is thin on the side body.

Group C is the 10-300"R" series. It is almost the same as that of Group A, but the light green colored stripe on the side stripe is thinner than that of Group A. The dark blue colored stripe on the side body is shorter than that of Group A.

Is it complicated? Non-rail fans probably cannot understand this strong preference.

Set 460 of the EMU Toei 10-300 series (2nd batch) passes through Hachimanyama Station

More information about the EMUs on the Toei lines (in Japanese):

http://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/fan/gallery/subway.html

Inokashira Hydrangea Route: Nishi-Eifuku

Set 1714F of the EMU Keio 1000 series travels on the Inokashira Line near Nishi-Eifuku Station

 

It is the rainy season again in Tokyo. On June 8th, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that this year's rainy season had begun in the Tokyo metropolitan area. We have been having hot and humid days. At times like that, the only thing that saves my gloomy feelings is viewing hydrangeas which come into flower this season. One of the beautiful spots is on the Inokashira Line of the Keio Electric Railway.

My destination was Nishi-Eifuku Station. It is a typical residential area in a western suburb of Tokyo. In this season, full blown hydrangeas are seen here and there along the railway track. I was born there, so, it should be my "territory"; however...

When I visited there last weekend, I saw many photo lovers shooting the hydrangea flowers and the trains. Just three years ago, it was an undiscovered hydrangea viewing spot, but it has become famous. After a five minute stroll, I could secure my photogenic spot near the station somehow or other.

My first shot was right behind of the set 1714F of the EMU Keio 1000 series with full blown hydrangeas. I shot it from a railway crossing just after opening the gate bar. Using a telephoto lens, I could manage to capture both retreating train and flowers in one frame of the photo. My second target was a side view of the passing train looking over the hydrangeas along the track. I could manage to capture the set 1704F with blue colored hydrangea flowers. Not bad.

 

Set 1704F of the EMU Keio 1000 series travels on the Inokashira Line near Nishi-Eifuku Station