Japanese Machu Picchu on the Bantan Line: Part 2

DMU JR West KiHa 189 series, limited express Hamakaze, travels on the Bantan Line

Following my previous post, I am going to show you Japanese Machu Picchu a little bit more.

Japanese Machu Picchu, namely Takeda Castle Ruins, is located at the top of Mt. Kojo. The stone walls of the castle were constructed with various forms of stones on the steep mountain slopes. There are many gaps between the stones, if you look closely. Why? According to a volunteer guide on the site, these gaps are intentionally made in preparation for an earthquake. In other words, these gaps function as a base isolation structure. As you may know, the stone walls would be easily destroyed by shaking with seismic vibrations, if they were too brittle. I admired the wisdom of the ancestors.

To visit Japanese Machu Picchu from the Osaka area, a limited express train, Hamakaze (beach wind) is convenient. Hamakaze is a 3-car diesel train operated with the DMU JR West KiHa 189 series. The silver colored stainless-steel bodies with red and white stripes are dashingly handsome. The KiHa 189 series was launched in 2010 to replace the old limited express model, KiHa 181 series. A total of 7 sets, 21 cars, have been built by Niigata Transys. Each car has two units of Komatsu's 450 ps diesel engines. The hydraulic system is adopted for transmitting engine power to the driving wheels of the vehicle. The maximum speed is 130 km per hour. 

Hamakaze links Osaka with Takeda, a gateway station to the Japanese Machu Picchu on the Bantan Line, in two hours.

Takeda Castle Ruins near Takeda Station on the Bantan Line

Official information about the DMU JR West KiHa 189 series (in Japanese):

http://www.jr-odekake.net/train/hamakaze/

EMU Tokyo Monorail 2000 Series: New and Old Colors

EMU Tokyo Monorail 2000 series (new color)

The trains in Tokyo are constantly changing. Whenever I get news such as debuting new models, retiring old models and renovating deteriorated models, I cannot take my eyes away from the kaleidoscopic changes. Tokyo Monorail is no exception. What is the news with this company? They are renovating their old model named the EMU 2000 series.

The 2000 series was launched in 1997, when the extension route between Haneda Airport (present Haneda Airport Terminal 1) and Haneda Airport Terminal 2 stations was opened. A total of four sets, 24 units, have been built by Hitachi. One set is composed of four motor cars and two trailers. The 2000 series is the company's first model with VVVF inverter electric control (variable frequency drive) system. The seats consist of both cross and long ones. The maximum operating speed is 80 km/hour.

Eighteen years later, the company started the renovation of the 2000 series. For instance, the color design of the bodies was changed from white with blue and red colored stripes to white with light green and light blue colors on the doors and the roofs. Currently, we can see both new and old colored trains on the track.

In the meantime, Tokyo Monorail Company belongs to JR East group. They have a 17.8 km-long route named the Haneda Airport Line between Hamamatsucho and Haneda Airport Terminal 2. The "Haneda Express" train connects Hamamatsucho and Haneda Airport International Terminal without stopping in only thirteen minutes.

EMU Tokyo Monorail 2000 series (old color)

Official guide of Tokyo Monorail:

http://www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/english/guidance/index.html

Official Gallery of Tokyo Monorail (in Japanese):

http://www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/fun/gallery.html

Indonesian Railway Update: The EMU 6000 Series

Set 24 of the EMU 6000 series in Jakarta, Indonesia (September, 2017, Photo: Faris Fadhli)

I have received a photo from an active Indonesian rail fan. The EMU ex-Tokyo Metro 6000 series has continued to play an active part in Jakarta, Indonesia, ever since it moved from Japan, and came into service in 2011.

The 6000 series is a 1,067 mm gauge and 1,500 V direct current EMU, which was originally launched in Japan in 1968. A total of 36 sets, 353 units, were built until 1990 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Kisha Seizo, Nippon Sharyo and Tokyu Sharyo. The first and the second set were originally operated on the Tozai Line for testing. The third set and later have been operated on the Chiyoda Line. Among the 36 sets of the 6000 series, 25 sets have already been moved to Jakarta after their retirement from the Chiyoda Line, because the Indonesian railway operator has been pursuing modernization of the railways in their capital city.

When I lived in Jakarta, I saw that the first transfer of the 6000 series from the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line had just arrived at Bukit Duri Depot. Unfortunately, I couldn't get on its commercial train, as I had to come back to Japan immediately after arrival of the 6000 series. My thanks go to Mr. Faris Fadhli, who kindly sent me the recent photo. I am glad to see that the EMU 6000 series is playing an active part in Jakarta.

Currently, only three sets are still staying in Japan.

Set 29 of the EMU Tokyo Metro 6000 series travels on the Odakyu Line (August, 2016)

Special Night Visit to Torin-in Temple in Kyoto City

EMU JR West 221 series stands at Kyoto Station on the San-in Main Line 

Torin-in is a small Buddhist temple in Kyoto City, about 520 km west of Tokyo. It is usually closed, but open to the public when special visits are held on moonlit nights in October. When I visited Torin-in with my family, it was a calm night. There was no wind. The moon was shining in the sky. Plenty of lanterns were throwing a light over the temple garden. We enjoyed the tea ceremony while looking at the moon and the garden.

To visit this beautiful temple, we took the JR West San-in Main Line. The San-in Main Line is one of the transportation arteries in the western part of Japan. Connecting Kyoto and Hatabu, the total route length is 673.8 km. The track is mainly single, partly double. The gauge size is 1,067 mm. It is partly electrified. The electric system is 1,500 V DC overhead. We got off at Hanazono Station. It took about 10 minutes from Kyoto by local train. The section between Kyoto and Hanazono is electrified double track. It is a busy commuter route for office workers and students who commute to the city center of Kyoto.

Our vehicle was the EMU JR West 221 series. The 221 series was launched in 1989 as the first model of JR West after the break-up and privatization of Japan National Railways in 1987. A total of 474 units have been built. Passengers can use this luxury commuter train with cozy seats without any extra charge.

Garden of Tourin-in Temple near Hanazono Station on the San-in Main Line

Dr. Yellow: The High Speed Inspector

Set T4 of the EMU JR Central 923 series, Dr. Yellow, stands at Shinagawa Station

You may think that all the train models on the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen have already been shown in this blog, but wait a moment please. There still remains an important model. What is it?

This is the first time to introduce the EMU 923 series to you. The 923 series is an electric and track inspection train belonging to JR Central and JR West. The 923 series was launched in 2000 to replace an old inspection train, the 922 series. A total of two sets, 14 units, were built by Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo. Set T-4 belongs to JR Central; meanwhile, JR West owns set T-5. The mission of the 923 series is to inspect tracks, signals, telecommunication, and electric power systems. The body is designed according to the 700 series.

One of the features of this inspection train is its high speed. The 923 series is able to be operated with a maximum speed of 270 km/hour during the inspection. The data is immediately analyzed and used for the maintenance of tracks. The function of the 923 series is similar with that of the JR East E926 series which is operated on the Tohoku Shinkansen and other Shinkansens connected therewith.

The nickname of the 923 series is "Dr. Yellow", as it has vivid yellow colored bodies. Dr. Yellow is very popular among rail-fans. JR Central does not release the timetable of Dr. Yellow, but many families with children flock to stations to see this rare train on its operation date.

Side view of set T4 of the EMU JR Central 923 series, Dr. Yellow

Official information about the EMU JR Central 923 series, Dr. Yellow (in Japanese):

http://railway.jr-central.co.jp/train/work/detail_04_01/