KiHa 101, "Salted Cod Roe" on the Kanto Railway

Diesel rail car Kantetsu KiHa 101 (ex-JNR KiHa 30) arrives at Kurogo Station

 

As I mentioned in my blog on September 20th, 2011, Kanto Railway (Kantetsu) has two faces... one as a city line for urban commuters, and one as a local railway in the countryside. The route north of Mitsukaido Station is a typical local line, which is an un-electrified single track. We can see beautiful idyllic views, such as rice paddies and vegetable fields on the line. A diesel rail car is operated every half an hour on average.

One of the popular rolling stock, which is operated on the northern part of the track, is classic diesel rail car KiHa 101 (see the top photo). The 101 was manufactured by Nihon Sharyo in 1966 under the name of Japanese National Railways (present JR group companies) KiHa 30-55. After it was retired from JR Kyushu in 1990, the 30-55 was moved to Kantetsu to spend its second life. Currently, we can see this type of diesel rail car only on the Kantetsu.

In the meantime, the 101 is called "Tarako" among rail fans. It is because the body color is similar to that of traditional Japanese food, Tarako (salted cod roe). To be more precise, the body color is similar to a red food coloring, which is used for making Tarako. I think that the rail fans are absolutely right.

The well-colored classic diesel rail car, KiHa 101, comes on to the track of the Kantetsu every Wednesday and Saturday.

 

Diesel rail car Kantetsu KiHa 101 (ex-JNR KiHa 30) aproarches Kurogo Station

The 485 Series "Yuu", Distinguished Guest to Kamakura

EMU JR East 485 series "Yuu" arrives at Kita-Kamakura Station on the Yokosuka Line

After the E653 left Kita-Kamakura (see my blog on June 25th, 2013), another rare special train came to track number 2. It looks like a kind of fish (see the top photo).

That is EMU JR East 485 series "Yuu", coming all the way from Iwaki Station on the Joban Line. Yuu means play or pleasure in Japanese. As its name suggests, this train has many attractions such as a karaoke system, a view room and a bar. Yuu is a classified as an "ozashiki train", whose interior is arranged as a Japanese-type straw-matted room. It is the same as "Utage", which I introduced on my blog on June 19th, 2013. I saw a group of passengers, who were boarding on this luxury train from Saitama Prefecture. They were relaxed and chatting pleasantly. I absolutely envied them.

Yuu was manufactured in 1991 by JR East Oofuna and Ooi factories cooperating with Tokyu Sharyo. The body is new; but, the equipments were diverted from retired EMUs, namely the Type SaRo 183, the 189 and the 489. Yuu is an AC-DC dual system EMU. So, it can be operated on most of the electrified tracks. Furthermore, being accompanied with a diesel locomotive and a power-supply car, it is also possible to be operated on un-electrified tracks.

I like the shape of the front car, which is similar to a scorpion fish. It looks quite startling on the railway track. Yuu... it was a distinguished guest to the historical Kamakura City.

Side view of KuRo 484-2, the EMU 485 series "Yuu"

 

More information about the EMU JR East 485 series "Yuu" (in Japanese):

http://www.jreast.co.jp/train/joyful/yuu.html

Hydrangea Garden and Retro Design Train in Kamakura

Set 21-61 of the EMU Enoden 20 series approarches Koshigoe Station

Although it is the hot and humid season, tourists are flocking to Kamakura, which is a historical city in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

One of the reputable spots in this season is Hase-temple, which is located in the western part of the city. In June, the back garden of the temple is filled with a bunch of hydrangea blossoms (see the following photo). If heaven exists, it is probably something like that. I reached Hase-temple 30 minutes prior to the opening time; however, hundreds of visitors including foreigners were already waiting in front of the gate. I think it is probably because it had been repeatedly featured on TV.

To get to this super famous spot, take the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) and get off at Hase Station. One of the impressive Enoden trains is the EMU 20 series (see the top photo). The 20 series is a retro design train, which was commissioned in 2002. A total of two sets, four units have been manufactured so far by Tokyu Sharyo.

Set 21-61 (see the top photo) of the 20 series was originally green and cream colored. It was, then, changed to dark brown colored in 2010 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Enoden. Dark brown was the body color of car number 1, which was the first Enoden electric car 100 years ago.

The beautiful hydrangea garden and the retro design train, there is no end to attractions in Kamakura.

Hydrangea garden in Hase-temple near Hase Station on the Enoshima Electric Railway

 

More information about Unit 21-61 of the EMU Enoden 20 series (in Japanese):

http://www.enoden.co.jp/train/info_train.htm

The E653's Little Side Trip to Kamakura

EMU JR East E653 series arrives at Kita-Kamakura Station on the Yokosuka Line

The ecology of rail fans is curious. They dislike mass-produced models such as standard commuter trains and express trains in general; however, they flock to get on these trains once it is announced that the models will be retired soon. Rail fans might be fond of rare species of trains. As a matter of fact, so am I.

Last week I visited Kamakura for a stroll. As you may know, Kamakura is known as a historic city where the bakufu (shogunate government) was located from 1185 to 1333. It was enjoyable for me to visit historical temples and shrines, but I had another purpose to visit Kamakura. It was to see a rare EMU that would come to Kamakura as a special train.

Look at the top photo. It is an EMU JR East E653 series arriving at Kita-Kamakura Station on the Yokosuka Line. The E653 series was commissioned in 1997 to replace the old limited express model, the 485 series, on the Joban Line. A total of 12 sets, 72 units, have been manufactured so far by Hitachi, Kinki Sharyo and Tokyu Sharyo. They were being operated as limited express trains on the Joban Line until March 15th, 2013. The E653 was then retired from regular trains on the tracks. Currently, E653's field of performance is only as special trains. It means that the E653 has become a rare train to be chased by rail fans.

The E653... haven't seen you for yonks.

Side view of the KuHa E653-8, EMU JR East E653 series

Lotus Garden and Poster Train in Chiba City

Special poster train of the Chiba Urban Monorail, EMU 1000 series, "My younger sister"

"My younger sister" is a Chiba-based popular novel written by Tsukasa Fushimi. It has also been published as a comic and an animation cooperating with illustrator, Hiro Kanzaki. The story of "My younger sister" is a conflictual relationship between a teenage brother and his younger sister. But, they start to understand each other when the brother finds out his sister's secret.

The Chiba Urban Monorail Line often appears in this popular story. Why not use this power to promote tourism for Chiba City? For that purpose, Chiba Urban Monorail has been operating a special poster train, "My younger sister", since this March. The unit number 1037-1038 of the EMU 1000 series is wrapped in Hiro Kanzaki's illustrations and is being operated on the No.1 and No.2 lines everyday.

I visited Chiba City last weekend to get on this poster train (see the top photo). In addition, I could visit a gorgeous lotus garden in Chiba Park, which is located in front of Chiba-koen Station. The lotus is a famous midsummer flower in Japan. Along with Gyoda (see my blog on August 13th, 2012), the lotus in Chiba is also reputable.

Currently, the lotus in Chiba Park is fully blown, and it announces the arrival of summer. I could shoot beautiful lotus flowers and a contemporary monorail train together (see the following picture). There's nothing like Chiba during summer.

EMU Chiba Urban Monorail 1000 series passes through the lotus garden near  Chiba-koen Station

 

More information about special poster train on the Chiba Urban Monorail Line (in Japanese):

http://www.chiba-monorail.co.jp/2_enjoy/oreimo.html