Revisit the New Shuttle in Saitama Prefecture

EMU the New Shuttle 2000 series arrives at Shonan Station

The New Shuttle (Saitama Shin-toshi Kotsu) is a rubber-tyred automated guideway transit (AGT) system in Saitama Prefecture, the northern part of the Tokyo metropolitan area. The operating line length is 12.7km between Omiya and Uchijuku stations. The route was opened in 1983 along the Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen lines. Unlike the other AGT lines in Tokyo, a driver operates each train, it is not a driver-less operation.

Whenever I visit the Railway Museum (see my blog on January 1st, 2013), I take the New Shuttle. It is a unique transportation system in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Following the EMU 1010 series (see my blog on May 18th, 2011), I am going to show you the other types of train on the line.

The EMU 2000 series is a brand spanking new train (see the top photo). It was launched in 2007 to replace the old EMU 1010 series. Currently, 5 sets, 30 units are being operated. Each set has a different color. They are pink, orange, green, yellow and blue. The spec is also leading-edge. For example, the IGBT-VVVF inverter control system is applied.

The EMU 1050 series is the second generation train on the line (see the following photo). It was launched in 1990 for the entire opening of the route. Currently, 4 sets, 24 units are being operated. The spec is rather old these days, but it is still being operated as one of the main fleet.

The New Shuttle is the most lovable vehicle in the Tokyo metropolitan area for me.

EMU the New Shuttle 1050 series arrives at Haraichi Station

Count Down to the Last Run, EMU 651 "Super Hitachi"

EMU JR East 651 series, "Super Hitachi" passes through Kita-Senju Station on the Joban Line

On December 21st, 2012, JR East made a press release, in which they announced that a new timetable will begin on March 16th, 2013. At the same time, they announced that several types of old EMUs will be retired from the tracks and replaced with new EMUs when the timetable is changed.

One such retired train is the EMU 651 series, limited express "Super Hitachi" on the Joban Line. It was launched in 1989 to replace an old EMU 485 series and speed up the route between Tokyo, Chiba, Ibaraki, Fukushima, and Miyagi Prefectures. Its maximum speed is 130 kilometers per hour. A total of 9 sets, 99 units had been manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

One of the features of this train is its exterior. Specifically, a large LED display on the front is quite unique (see the photos). The white, olive gray and olive colored body is also funky fresh. Because of its coloring, rail fans call that "tuxedo body (penguin suit body)". The spec of the train is rather old these days; however, it has lots of fans who enthusiastically "worship" this train.

I sometimes use the 651 Super Hitachi to visit Mito, the major city in Ibaraki Prefecture. Especially in March, it is the best season to view plum blossoms in Mito City. So, the 651 is "the plum viewing train" for me.

The last run of the EMU 651 series is planned on March 15th.

EMU JR East 651 series, "Super Hitachi" stands at Platform 17 of Ueno Terminal

 

More information about EMU JR East 651 series, Super Hitachi (in Japanese):

http://www.jreast.co.jp/train/express/651.html

Another World in Midwinter on the Tokaido Line

Heading to Tokyo, EMU JR East 233-3000 series leaves Ninomiya Sta. on the Tokaido Main Line

Although it is very cold and snowy sometimes, we have "another world" in the Tokyo metropolitan area. I visited this unique spot, Azuma-yama (Mt. Azuma), this year again.

Azuma-yama is located near Ninomiya Station on the JR East Tokaido Main Line, some 70km southwest of downtown Tokyo. The 136-meter peak is less of a famous sightseeing spot than a recreation area for local people. It is just a small hill that you might see anywhere in this country.

Azuma-yama, however, is directly facing the Pacific Ocean to the south. Kuroshio (Black Stream), a warm ocean current, from the tropical region provides that area with a genial climate. If you climb up this small mountain in midwinter, you will find another world. Numerous canola flowers are blooming beautifully in the sunshine with snow-capped Mt. Fuji in the background (see the bottom photo). They are lovingly cared for by local people.

I could see the track of the JR East Tokaido Main Line from the summit. Penetrating the town of Ninomiya, it extended to the vanishing point. I saw a 15-car train, EMU 233-3000 series on the track, heading to Tokyo (see the top photo). It is 300 meters long, the longest commuter train in the Tokyo metropolitan area. I also viewed the Pacific Ocean on the far side of the train. It was blue colored, and contrasted with the green and orange colored train.

Azuma-yama, it is another world in midwinter in the Tokyo metropolitan area, never get tired of visiting it.

Winter scenery of Mt. Fuji over Canola flower garden at Azuma-yama Park near Ninomiya Station

Silvery World on the Odakyu Line

EMU Odakyu 1000 series passes through Chitose-Funabashi Station in a snowstorm

 

It is mid-winter in Japan. The daytime maximum temperature is lower than 10 degrees Celsius in Tokyo. In this season, the mountains block the cold, wet wind blowing from the northwest, which causes heavy snow to fall on the Japan Sea side. Then, only dry air comes to the Pacific side, such as the Tokyo metropolitan area.

However, once a low-pressure system as strong as a typhoon approaches the Pacific side, the Tokyo metropolitan area also experiences heavy snowfall. We call that a "bomb cyclone". On Monday, January 14th, a bomb cyclone hit Tokyo. The snow caused the delay of many train services. Fortunately, most of the offices in Tokyo were closed for the holiday. You have to be thankful for small mercies.

I had an errand to run, and had to go to Shinjuku on that day. While waiting for a local train on the platform of my nearest station on the Odakyu Line, I saw a heavily snow-crusted express train, EMU 1000 series, passing right in front of me (see the top photo). Great!

After boarding a local train, I saw a thick blanket of snow through a train window. There was snow as far as the eye could see. It was out-of-the-ordinary and exotic. We call that "gin-sekai (the silvery world)" in Japanese.

Finally, the train reached Shinjuku Terminal 20 minutes late. Although the train was delayed a bit, I could still make my appointment. Thanks, the Odakyu Line.

"Snow-crusted" EMU, Oakyu 2000 series arrives at Shinjuku Terminal

Train View Spot on the Keikyu Line

EMU Keikyu 800 series approaches Shin-Bamba Station

I love walking both in the downtown and the countryside. It's fun finding or being inspired by some unforeseen scenery during walking. I am going to show one such scenery here.

One day last year, I was enjoying a city walk in the Shinagawa area, which is located in the southern part of downtown Tokyo. I have been to Shinagawa many times before, as my office was once located there so it was something like a routine. I was strolling along the Highway Route No.15, and looking about. When I stopped at a traffic light near Shin-Bamba Station on the Keikyu Line, I found a small sylvan place where I'd never been before. That was Shinagawa Shrine.

Shinagawa Shrine was opened in 1187 by Yoritomo Minamoto, the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate. To get to the main shrine, it takes 2 minutes walking along stone steps and a stone paved road.

The main shrine is a nice place to visit, but it might be more interesting if you climb up a small hill surrounded by trees near the main shrine. Local people call it "Shinagawa Fuji", because the profile is similar to Mt. Fuji.

After climbing up Shinagawa Fuji, I found a gorgeous train viewing spot. I saw red-body Keikyu trains frequently (see the photos). They were the EMU 800, 1000, 2100 series and so on. The trains stood out against the background buildings.

Shinagawa Shrine... it is an unknown train viewing spot in Tokyo.

EMU Keikyu 1000 series approaches Shin-Bamba Station