Bullet Train and Classic Bus in Fukuyama City

EMU N700 series approaches Fukuyama Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen

 

During my visit to Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku Island last month, I stopped over at Fukuyama City in Hiroshima prefecture on the way back home. Fukuyama is located in Honshu Island; but, it is easy to hop there from Shikoku Island, passing through the bridges over the Seto Inland Sea.

When I reached Fukuyama City, I found that a classic bus was parking on the street (see the following photo). It was a bonnet bus operated by Tomotetsu, a local bus company. This nostalgic vehicle, type BX341, was manufactured by Isuzu Motors in 1958. It was powered by a 120-horsepower engine. The number of passenger seats is 27; meanwhile, the maximum passenger capacity is 47 persons. It was indeed well maintained. The BX 341 is operated as a relief or a chartered service only. Although, I didn't have an opportunity to ride it this time; I was lucky to shoot the photograph of this nostalgic bus.

Before leaving Fukuyama, I visited Fukuyama Castle. This hedgehog was constructed in 1622 by feudal load, Katsunari Mizuno. Although the original building was destroyed by an air raid during WWII, the restored castle is a symbol of the strength of the local people. I could view the beautiful urban scenery of Fukuyama including the elevated Sanyo Shinkansen track from the top of the castle tower (see the top photo).

This is the last post on my trip to Ehime and Hiroshima prefectures this year. It has become 4 posts long. Thanks for reading.
 

A classic bonnet bus, type Tomotetsu BX341 manufactured by Isuzu Motors in 1958

Autumn Color of the Mysterious Lake

EMU JR Central 313 series passes through Fuefuki River Bridge on the Minobu Line

 

An "autumn leaves front" is making a plunge from the high mountains to the plain. I enjoyed autumn leaves in Yamanashi Prefecture again last weekend with my family.

My destination was Lake Shibire in the central part of the prefecture. It is located some 100km west of Tokyo. The lake is surrounded by steep circular mountains, which are estimated as outer ring mountains of a volcanic caldera. The lake surface is 880 meters above sea level. The foliage season of Lake Shibire is very attractive. We could see red, yellow and brown colored leaves that made a nice contrast with the blue sky and the mysterious lake (see the following picture). The best season there is from late-October.

On the way home, I stopped over Mitama-no-yu Hot Spring again. It is my favorite spot because we can enjoy a superb "onsen" (hot spring) while viewing the beautiful Kofu Basin and its surrounding mountains. It was a bright and clear day. I could see Yatsugatake Mountains (2899m at the highest) to the north, as well as Mt. Kaikoma (2,967m) in the Southern Japanese Alps to the south.

Viewing the trains on the JR Central Minobu Line was of course my main attraction there as a rail fan. I could see the stylish EMU 313 series local trains, passing through the Fuefuki River Bridge (see the top photo). The local trains were operated a couple of times an hour.

I had a really good weekend again.
 

Autumn color of Lake Shibire near Ichikawa-Daimon Station on the Minobu Line

C62 17: World Record Holder on the Narrow Gauge Track

Steam locomotive C62 17 is exhibited in SCMAGLEV and Railway Park

 

Following the EMU 52 series, I am going to show you the other memorable exhibit in "SCMAGLEV and Railway Park" in Nagoya City.

Look at the top photo. It is steam locomotive (SL) number 17 of the type C62, manufactured in 1948 by Hitachi. The C62 is a 4-6-4 (Whyte notation) type steam locomotive that has a tender attached. A total of 49 units were built in 1948 and 1949 by Hitachi, Kawasaki Sharyo and Kisha Seizo.

The assignment of the C62 was to pull express passenger trains. It is particularly notable that the C62 pulled limited express trains, such as "Tsubame (swallow)" and "Hato (pigeon)". They were representative trains after WWII in Japan. The C62 was indeed the superstar on the iron tracks in Japan.

Particularly, unit number 17 was famous among rail fans, as it has a world speed record for SLs on the narrow gauge track. On December 15th in 1954, it set a new world record of 129km/hour (80.2miles/hour) on the Kiso River Bridge of the Tokaido Main Line. C62 17 is also famous for its long distance operation. It traveled a total of 2.75 million kilometers (1.71 million miles) in its career.

C62 17 retired from the track in 1970. It had been preserved in Higashiyama Park of Nagoya City for long time. It was, then, moved to SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in 2010. Currently, it is exhibited like a glorious brand new locomotive in the entrance hall.
 

Tender of C62 17

N700A: Advanced Shinkansen Train

EMU JR Central N700A series (modified cars) stands at Tokyo Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen

 

Currently, we often encounter a new train in Tokyo Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen. It is the EMU "N700A" series, which is an evolved version of the N700 series.

What is the difference between the N700 and the N700A series? The main difference between both trains is their brake performance. New disc brakes were adopted by the N700A series. As you may know, the braking system on a bullet train is quite important in Japan, since we have to stop the train steadily without derailment as soon as an earthquake hits a railway.

The brake disc of the N700A series is fixed to the wheel by bolts in the "center" of the discs. Before debuting the N700A, the disc was fixed to the wheel by bolts at the "edge" of the disc. It has been causing a deviation of friction heat deformation of the disc by braking. But, in the new system, this deviation has been decreased drastically. Newly developed bolts have enabled this new brake. Passengers cannot see this system directly; but it is a great deal of progress in the underfloor space.

The N700A is of two types. One type are the newly-manufactured cars, which have a large logo of "A" on their bodies; meanwhile the others are modified cars, which have a small logo of "A". Look at the following photo. It is a modified car with a small logo of "A" on the body.

The shinkansen system is a crystallization of new technology and sedulous efforts.
 

Side view of the EMU N700A series (modified cars)

Autumn Color on the Inokashira Line

1714F of the EMU Keio 1000 series arrives at Inokashira-koen Station on the Inokashira Line

 

An "autumn leaves front" is going southward in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It is also making a plunge from the high mountains to the plain. The leaves on the urban trees have just started turning red, yellow and brown. I visited Inokashira Park near Inokashira-koen Station on the Keio-Inokashira Line last weekend, and enjoyed a stroll.

Inokashira Park is located in the western suburb of Tokyo. It is close to my parent's place. When I was a child, I often went boating and visited a zoo in the park with my parent and/or grandparent. I also visited there to make a sketch with a teacher and classmates of the primary school. They were fun in their own ways; but, to tell the truth, riding the trains on the Inokashira Line to and from the park was my greatest attraction.

When I was a toddler, all trains were steel and green colored. Then, the EMU 3000 series, a stainless car was introduced. It shone brilliantly in my eyes. Rainbow colored front masks of the trains were very fresh for me. It was my top favorite train.

Currently, the EMU 1000 series replaced the EMU 3000 series, and has become the main fleet on the Inokashira Line trains. The commercial operation of this EMU started in 1996, as the first long (20m) body train. It is composed of 5 cars with a VVVF (variable frequency drive) control system.

The Inokashira Line trains fit autumn leaves in the suburban area.
 

Inokashira Park near Inokashira-koen Station on the Keio-Inokashira Line