Isumi Railway Update: Rail Cars KiHa 28, 52 and 200'

Diesel rail cars, KiHa 52 125 (left) and KiHa 28 2346 (right), approach Shiromigaoka Station

 

Isumi is a local railway company in Chiba Prefecture, some 80km east of Tokyo. Connecting Ohara and Kazusa-Nakano, there are 14 stations over a total operating length of 26.8km. The route is single track and non-electrified. I am going to give an update on this local railway for the first time in a year. What has happened over the past year?

First, Isumi accepted an "old newcomer", the diesel rail car KiHa 28 2346. It was a classic JNR-type express rail car manufactured in 1964, and came to Isumi to spend a new life after retirement from JR West. The two-toned JNR-type colored body grabs the interest of rail fans.

Second, the body of KiHa 52 125 was repainted to a single vermilion color in January this year. It is known as "metropolitan color". The repainted body is also popular among rail fans, but not my cup of tea to be honest, since the new color is too intense for me. Currently, KiHa 52 125 is coupled with KiHa 28 2346 and operated as a sightseeing express train.

Third, rail car unit number 205 of the Type 200' was retired from the track and sent to Myanmar to spend a new life. Type 200' was launched in 1988 as the first rail car on the newly established Isumi Railway. A total of 7 units has been manufactured by Fuji Heavy Industries, but, currently, only 3 units, namely unit number 201, 202 and 206, remain on the track.

Everything flows, nothing stands still.

 

Diesel rail car Isumi KiHa 206 of the Type 200' stands at Ootaki Rail Yard

New Train and Unique Station on the Utsunomiya Line

EMU JR East 205-600 seies leaves Hoshakuji Station on the Utsunomiya Line 

When I visited Tochigi Prefecture to see a brand new accumulator train (EMU EV- E301 series) and classic diesel rail cars (DMU KiHa 40-1000 series), I found a unique local station near Utsunomiya City.

It is Hoshakuji Station on the Utsunomiya and Karasuyama lines. This unique local station building was constructed in 2007, being designed by famous architect, Kengo Kuma. He excels at designing using natural materials such as local timbers and stones. Hoshakuji station building won a Brunel Award for design in 2008. For your information, Brunel Awards are given to railway companies to encourage outstanding visual design on the railways including the architectures and the trains. The "dinosaur-shaped" architecture is prominently backed by the blue sky.

After enjoying the unique station building, I came down to the platform. A new train, the 205-600 series had just left the station for Kuroiso. The EMU 205-600 series was a commuter train for the narrow gauge (1,067mm) track with a 1,500V DC system. It was introduced to the Utsunomiya Line in 2013 to replace the old EMU 107 and 211 series.

The 205-600 series was previously operated on the Musashino and Saikyo lines in Tokyo. It was shortened to a 4-car train to suit the number of passengers on this local line. The "face" of the train was newly manufactured on the non-driving cars. Isn't it handsome?

I enjoyed a renovated new train and a unique railway station in Tochigi Prefecture.

Entrance of Hoshakuji Station on the JR East Utsunomiya Line

Indonesian Railway Update: Renewal of Holec

EMU KRL Jabodetabek Type "Holec" after renewal, Photo: Faris Fadhli (Jakarta Indonesia) 

 

I have received news from a young Indonesian rail fan again. "Holec" has come back. It returned to the track in Jakarta  after renewal on 29th of March this year. My thanks go to Mr. Faris Fadhli, who kindly sent me the latest picture.

What is "Holec"? It is an EMU operated by KRL Jabodetabek (Jakarta metropolitan electric commuter railway). It was originally manufactured by PT INKA, Indonesian Railway Industries from 1994 to 2001. "Holec" is derived from the name of PT INKA's partner, Bombardier-BN "Holec". This company provided KRL Jabodetabek with the main equipment, such as the GTO-VVVF inverter system and bolster-less bogies, which are known as type K9. One set is composed of four cars, which include two driving trailers (Tc) and two non-driving motor cars (M). It is able to operate being coupled of two sets. A total of 32 sets, 128 units have been manufactured so far.

To be honest, Holec was not my cup of tea, when I lived in Jakarta from 2007 to 2011. It was shabby and jam-prone. Air-conditioners were not equipped at that time. Doors were opened, even if it was operated at high speed.... quite dangerous.
 

Holec is the same as the new one now. The main equipment has been redeemed for the latest model. The front design and the body coloring have also been changed. Furthermore, air conditioners have been installed. It is good news for passengers in the tropical area, so, Holec is just my cup of tea now.

EMU KRL Jabodetabek Type "Holec" before renewal (Jakarta Indonesia, July 2009)

Passing through Rainbow Bridge by Yurikamome Train

EMU Yurikamome 7000 series passes through Rainbow Bridge

 

The Port of Tokyo Connector Bridge, also known as Rainbow Bridge, is a suspension bridge crossing Tokyo Bay between Shibaura Pier and the Odaiba Waterfront Subcenter. It was opened in 1993 as a 798m long double-decked suspension bridge.

You can drive through Rainbow Bridge using the expressway or the ordinary road; but I recommend you take the Yurikamome Line to enjoy the beautiful view in the bay area. Yurikamome is an AGT (automated guide way transit) line, which was opened in 1995 between Shimbashi in downtown Tokyo and Ariake in the Waterfront Subcenter. The current operating length is 14.7km. The vehicle is a small-sized train with rubber-tires instead of steel bogies.

If you get on the Yurikamome train from Shimbashi Terminal, please secure the "rail fan's seat" in the front of the train. Yurikamome train is operated automatically without a driver; therefore, the passengers can enjoy the view ahead while sitting on the rail fan's seat. You will, then, find a spiral track after leaving Shibaura-futo Station. It is an approach line to Rainbow Bridge to reduce the slope angle of the track. Finally, a beautiful suspension bridge will unfold before your eyes.

Your only regret might be that the view from the bridge beam is not fantastic, since the track on the beam is covered by a metal net. The cars on the parallel road may also obstruct your field of vision. Even so, passing through Rainbow Bridge by Yurikakome train is a cost effective attraction for tourists.
 

View of Rainbow Bridge from Yurikamome train on the spiral track

Seibu Blue: Train and Management

EMU Seibu 20000 series arrives at Ekoda Station on the Ikebukuro Line

 

The management of Seibu Railway is probably feeling blue. Currently, they are far from enjoying a good relationship with the foreign investment fund, who is a major shareholder.

Seibu Railway had been known for being managed by members of a single family. When a scandal involved the company breaking a Security and Exchange Law in the early 2000s, Seibu was delisted from the stock exchange in Tokyo. The company has, since then, been trying to dedicate themselves to modernizing the management style. A foreign investment fund has been supporting Seibu after the crisis, but the difference of management style between the foreign fund and Seibu was obvious. Japanese management tends to think that railway companies should promote public benefit rather than be profit-oriented; meanwhile the foreign fund tends to think the investor's position.

Although the management feels blue, the blue colored train, the EMU 20000 series of Seibu Railway, enjoys vigorous health. The 20000 series is one of Seibu's major rolling stock. It debuted in 2000 as a new generation commuter train following the 6000 series. The light body is made of aluminum. 135kW/h induction motors with an IGBT-VVVF invertor control and　regenerative brake systems are equipped on the train. A total of 18 sets, 144 units, have been manufactured so far by Hitachi.

Seibu Blue will continue... both the train and the management.

 

EMU Seibu 20000 series (right) and the 9000 series (left)

 

More information about the EMU Seibu 20000 series (in Japanese):

http://www.seibu-group.co.jp/railways/smile/zukan/20000/