Sayonara, EMU Keisei 3300 Series

EMU Keisei 3300 series travels on the Kanamachi Line (September, 2012)

 

Old trains in Tokyo retire one after another. On February 12th, Keisei Electric Railway made a press release announcing that the EMU Keisei 3300 series will be retired from the track by the end of February.

The 3300 series was launched in 1968 for direct operating trains between the Keisei and the Toei Asakusa Subway lines. A total of 54 units have been manufactured for five years by Tokyu Sharyo, Nippon Sharyo and Kisha Kaisha. Its specification is rather old (DC motors with a rheostatic control system); however, the 3300 series still keeps a beautiful figure on the track.

I like this nostalgic train, as the four large front lights are very cute. When I was a child, the Keisei train was synonymous with the 3300 series. It was called Akaden (the red train), since the body color was red at that time. The 3300 series really goes with the nostalgic old town of Tokyo.

For your information, the successor of the 3300 series is the EMU 3000 series. It was launched in 2002 and is still manufactured to replace the old trains on the Keisei Line. I know that the 3000 series is a modern commuter train with latest specifications, but I get a cold impression from this train with its stainless steel body.

If there's a beginning, there will be an end (Japanese proverb). The last run of the 3300 series is planned on February 28th. Sayonara (good bye), the Keisei 3300 series.

 

EMU Keisei 3000 series travels on the Keisei Main Line (September, 2014)

Narcissus Blooming Season on the Uchibo Line

EMU JR East 209-2100 series and the full-blown narcissus in Iwai Station on the Uchibo Line

 

It is still cold in Japan. The daytime maximum temperature is lower than 10 degrees Celsius, but the sun is getting stronger in the Tokyo metropolitan area. I am sure that spring is just around the corner and I can't wait for a genial season. Following last year, I visited Chiba Prefecture with my family to see the narcissus blossoms. Our destination was Iwai on the JR East Uchibo Line. It takes about one hour and 40 minutes from Tokyo Station by the limited express train, "Sazanami (Ripple)", the EMU 257-500 series.

When we visited Iwai last weekend, the narcissus blossoms were at their peak. They had bloomed in fields, on slopes, on riversides and in gardens. The sweet smell of the flowers attracted my family; while, I enjoyed taking photographs of flowers.

After coming back to Iwai Station, I found a narcissus garden adjacent to the platform. I could shoot the local train, EMU 209-2100 series, backed by full blown narcissus flowers. The 209 series was originally debuted in Tokyo in 1993 to replace the old commuter EMU, the 103 series. It has induction motors with a VVVF inverter (variable frequency drive) control system.

The EMU 209 series was, then, introduced onto the Uchibo Line in 2009 under the names of the 209-2000 and the 209-2100 series, after the original 209 series was renovated. Different from the original 209 series, the 209-2000 and 209-2100 series have semi-cross seats in the first and last cars.

 

Full-blown narcissus on the bank of Iwai River near Iwai Station on the JR East Uchibo Line

The 100th Anniversary of Takarazuka Revue

Memorial plate of "the 100th anniversary of Takarazuka Revue" is displayed on the 8000 series

One of the features of private railway companies in Tokyo is their diversification of business. For example, almost all major companies have their own department stores on their lines. The other example is the real estate business. Railway companies own land and develop housing and condominiums to rent or sell on their lines. An unusual business example is the sponsoring of professional baseball teams. The most famous of one is the Saitama Seibu Lions, which is owned by Seibu Railway in the Tokyo Metropolitan area.

Railways in Osaka are also not to be outdone by those in Tokyo. For instance, Hakyu Railway has a revue and their theater in Takarazuka City on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line. Takarazuka Revue is a famous musical troupe featuring an all-woman cast. It was established in 1914, so last year marked its centennial. Since the revue side is unfamiliar territory to me, please review an example of the stage information in the website of Takarazuka Revue.

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Takarazuka Revue, Hankyu Railway displays a celebration plate on the front of their trains. Please look at the pictures. It is the EMU 8000 series with a special plate. The 8000 series is a standard commuter train, which was launched in 1989 for the Kobe and the Takarazuka lines. A total of 102 units have been manufactured over nine years by Alna Koki. The so-called architrave-style front mask is a typical design of the trains in the 1990s.

EMU Hankyu 8000 series (with the memorial plate) stands at Juso Station on the Takarazuka Line

C11 245: Preserved SL in Fujisawa City

Steam locomotive C11 245 is preserved in Fujisawa City in Kanagawa Prefecture

I visited Fujisawa City in Kanagawa Prefecture last week, as something came up. After finishing my meeting, I stopped at a public park in the city to see a preserved steam locomotive (SL), ex-JGR (Japanese Government Railways) C11 245.

The SL, Class C11, was launched in 1932 to reinforce the transportation capacity on the local lines throughout Japan. It is a 2-6-4 type (Whyte notation) small tank locomotive. A total of 381 units have been manufactured over 18 years. Unit number 245, namely C11 245, was manufactured in 1943 by Nippon Sharyo, and had been used for passengers and freight transportation in the northern part of Japan. After its retirement from the track, C11 245 was moved to Fujisawa City in 1975 to be preserved.

Since then, C11 245 has been carefully maintained. It still has a good shine. Who looks after this SL? The answer is the local children's group, called Fujisawa SL Children's Association. According to their website, this association has 25 members consisting of primary and junior high pupils. They not only maintain the SL, but also operate a mini railway in the park. One year training is required to become a "driver" of the mini trains. It is indeed hard work, isn't it?

For your information, a sister SL of C11 245, namely C11 292, is also preserved in front of Shimbashi Station on the Tokaido Main Line.

Side view of C11 245

Fine View of Winter Fuji from Taikanzan

EMU Hakone Tozan 2000 series (new color) stands at Hakone-Yuomoto Station

I visited Hakone Mountain in Kanagawa Prefecture again. It was a beautiful and sunny day for visiting the countryside. In this season, the northern mountains block the cold, wet wind blowing from the northwest, which causes heavy snow to fall on the Sea of Japan side and sends cold, dry air to the Pacfc side of the archipelago. So, it stays fine for many days in the Tokyo metropolitan area except in the high mountains such as Mt. Fuji.

My purpose of visiting Hakone was to see the winter view of Mt. Fuji (3,776 m above sea level). I climbed up Taikanzan (1,012 m above sea level), which is one of the peaks of Hakone Somma. From Taikanzan, I could see the beautifully snow-capped Mt. Fuji rising behind Lake Ashinoko.

To get to this scenic viewing spot, please get off at Taikanzan stop on the Hakone Tozan Bus. It takes about two and a half hours from Shinjuku Station in the downtown Tokyo area, using connections of Odakyu Electric Railway, Hakone Tozan Railway and bus services.

On the way to Taikanzan, I came across a new colored train, set number S2 (KuMoHa 2003 + KuMoHa 2004) of the EMU Hakone Tozan 2000 series at Hakone-Yumoto Station. The original body color has been changed to match the new model, EMU 3000 series, for coupling.

What is the new model, 3000 series? I beg that you wait for a moment. I will report it soon.
 

Scenic view of "Winter Fuji" from Taikanzan near Hakone-Yumoto Station