Yamitetsu Part 2: Shinkiba Railyard

Night view of Shinkiba Railyard, with Set 6102 on the right

Do you remember my post about “yamitetsu” last month? Today, I’d like to share an update on my activities.

Let’s start with a quick overview. Yamitetsu refers to a railfan who loves photographing trains in the dark. The word is a blend of “yami” (meaning “darkness”) and “tetsu” (meaning “iron”). In Japanese, we call a railway "tetsudō", which literally means “iron road". Without realizing it, I’ve long enjoyed taking photos at underground stations, at night on the surface, and in other low-light settings. Still, I think of myself as just a beginner yamitetsu.

Now, let’s move on to the main topic. I recently stopped by Tokyo Metro’s Shinkiba Railyard on the Yurakucho Line for a yamitetsu outing. I chose this spot because there’s a pedestrian bridge crossing the yard. On the bridge, a pleasant evening breeze made the air feel refreshing. Below, I saw many trains being readied for service. Under the yard lights, they gleamed beautifully—the Tokyo Metro 10000 and 17000 series EMUs, as well as the Seibu 40000 series, which directly operates onto the Seibu-Ikebukuro Line.

And one more… Set 6102 of the Tokyo Metro 6000 series! As you know, all 6000 series EMUs have already disappeared from Japanese tracks, but Set 6102 is still preserved here at the yard. Its interior lights were off, but its aluminum alloy body shone faintly under the floodlights. Set 6102, it’s been a while! How have you been?

View from a different angle, with Set 6102 in the right corner

Fringed Water-lily Field in Saitama City

EMU Saitama Railway 2000 series emerging from a tunnel

My outings to Saitama Prefecture won’t stop for a while. This time, my destination was Minuma-Hikawa Park in Saitama City, about 30 kilometers north of Tokyo. It isn’t a very well-known park, but I happened to learn about it on social media. Please take a look at the photo below. You can see yellow flowers with fringed petals—the fringed water-lily. It is an aquatic plant, like the water hyacinth I introduced before. Covering the surface of the pond like a carpet, it looks beautiful! But why were there no visitors other than me? Probably because the locals have seen this yellow carpet many times, so it becomes part of the everyday scenery.

Of course, I can’t finish without mentioning the railway side of things… since this is a railway blog! To reach Minuma-Hikawa Park, the nearest station is Urawa-Misono, the terminal of the Saitama Stadium Line operated by Saitama Railway (SR). SR is a joint public-private company established in 1992. The Saitama Stadium Line (formerly called the Saitama Railway Line) is the only route operated by SR. Connecting Akabane-Iwabuchi in Tokyo and Urawa-Misono in Saitama Prefecture, its total length is 14.6 kilometers. All the trains run directly onto the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, and some continue onto the Tokyu and Sotetsu lines. Most of the route is underground; however, Urawa-Misono is the only above-ground station on the line. Rail fans can enjoy watching trains emerge from the tunnel at the end of the platform. Please look at the top photo—I was able to photograph SR’s EMU 2000 series climbing the slope and coming toward me. It was spectacular!

Fringed water-lily flowers at Minuma-Hikawa Park, Saitama City

Official information about fringed water-lily flowers at Minuma-Hikawa Park by Saitama City (in Japanese):

https://t.co/i3LQv9wv7s」 / X

The 70th Anniversary of the Keibajo Line

EMU Keio 7000 series train with the Keibajo Line 70th-anniversary plate

Do you remember my post about the urban local route, the Keio-Keibajo Line (the Keio-Racecourse Line), last year? Today, I’d like to give you an update on this topic.

Let’s start with a quick look at the Keio-Keibajo Line. It’s a short branch of the Keio Main Line, connecting Higashi-Fuchu and Fuchu-keiba-seimonmae (the main gate of Fuchu Racecourse). The entire route is just 0.9 kilometers long. On weekdays, a 2-car train without conductors runs every 20 minutes. But on race days, it’s a completely different scene—many extra trains operate, including 10-car limited expresses straight from Shinjuku.

Now for the main topic. On April 29, Keio Electric Railway celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Keibajo Line. To mark the occasion, the company held several special events. One highlight was a commemorative plate mounted on the front of Set 7421 of the EMU 7000 series. Take a look at the top photo—you can see the number “70” along with a horseshoe design. That’s the Keibajo Line’s signature style!

Since I’m a total beginner when it comes to horse racing, let me instead share a little local scenery from along the route. Please check out the photo below. It shows a train passing by Kokubu Hachimangu Shrine. In front of the shrine, you can see a peaceful forest. A stone pillar and a torii gate stand quietly among the trees, welcoming visitors. The atmosphere is so calming. This place truly feels relaxing.

Happy 70th anniversary to the Keio-Keibajo Line!

EMU Keio 7000 series train passing by Kokubu Hachimangu Shrine

Graffiti? A Surprising Truth

“Graffiti?” on the doors of the Tokyu 6020-6050 series EMU

(Note: Photographed in the rain)

On September 8, rail fans were shocked on social media. Graffiti was spotted on a Tokyu train. And not just one or two marks—there were several all along the sides of the 6020-6050 series (6020 series, type 6050) EMU operating on the Ōimachi Line. What happened? Was it some kind of nasty prank?

Thankfully, ITmedia interviewed Tokyu Railways, and a surprising truth came to light. These weren’t graffiti at all, but part of a formal installation by Tokyu. Why? To improve the sensitivity of the automatic platform gate sensors! As I wrote before, the 6020-6050 series only debuted this May. Their bodies were still sparkling new… but apparently the shiny finish reduced the sensors’ accuracy. Of course, safe train operation is essential for any railway company, but it was still shocking to learn that spray left visible marks on the train’s exterior. According to Tokyu, they will work to make the residues less noticeable.

That’s reassuring. But I still have a question. The 6020-6050 series is the “little brother” of the 6020 series. As far as I know, no such issue has occurred with the older 6020 series. The only difference is the train formation: the 6020-6050 series is a five-car set, while the 6020 series is a seven-car set. That’s it. For an ordinary rail fan like me, it’s a difficult mystery to understand. To the engineers of Tokyu Railways… please restore the 6020–6050 series to its beautiful original state. I’m rooting for you!

An automatic platform gate at Ōimachi Station, the Tokyu-Ōimachi Line

Preserved Tobu Steam Locomotive in Miyashiro Town

Tobu B4 Class Unit 40 preserved in front of Miyashiro Town Office

I recently visited Miyashiro Town in Saitama Prefecture, about 50 kilometers north of Tokyo. Miyashiro isn’t very well-known, even among Japanese people. However, if you mention it as “the town of Tobu Zoological Park,” most people will recognize it—or rail enthusiasts may know it better as the home of the Nippon Institute of Technology, which has an industrial museum preserving valuable rolling stock.

This time, though, my destination in Miyashiro was neither the zoo nor the museum. Instead, I headed to the town office. Why? Because a historic steam locomotive is preserved right in front of the town hall. Take a look at the top photo: this is Unit 40 of the Tobu B4 Class. This locomotive was originally built in 1898 by Sharp, Stewart and Company in England for Japan’s first private railway company, Nippon Railway. It was later taken over by the Government Railways in 1906 and then transferred to Tobu Railway in 1922, where it became Unit 40 of the B4 Class.

The B4 Class is a 4-4-0 type (Whyte notation) steam locomotive with a tender. After years of hauling freight trains, it was retired in 1966 and moved to its current location at the Miyashiro Town Office in 1994. I’m not an expert on steam locomotives, but I was especially impressed by its elegant leading wheels and connecting rods (see the photo below).

If you’re interested, please also check out my previous posts on preserved Tobu steam locomotives: Class B1, Class B3, and Unit 1.

Side view of Unit 40