EMU Yokohama Municipal Subway 10000 series (2nd batch) arrives at Center-minami Station
I visited the Green Line of the Yokohama Municipal Subway for the first time in four years. What is news with this growing subway line?
I found that the new train, set number 10161F of the EMU 10000 series, had been introduced on the line. It is one of the second batch trains of the 10000 series, launched in 2015. What is the difference between the first and the second batch of the 10000 series? Regarding the outer design, I found a green stripe on the front of the second batch train; meanwhile, the first batch ones don't have such a stripe. I also found that the second batch train has a large interior LCD monitor above each door. It displays operational information, such as train destination and next station.
For your information, the Green Line was opened in 2008 as the second subway route in Yokohama City. Connecting Nakayama on the JR East Yokohama Line and Hiyoshi on the Tokyu Toyoko Line, there are ten stations over the 13.1 km-long route. Linear motor technology is adopted for the train driving system, so, you can see a reaction plate between the two rails. A linear motor is an electric motor that doesn't have a shaft. This technology allowed downsizing of the tunnel section.
Opinions on the "combat robot-like" train face are divided among rail-fans. It is quite unique, but not my cup of tea to be honest.
EMU Yokohama Municipal Subway 10000 series (2nd batch) travels on the Green Line
Diesel rail-car JR Kyushu KiHa 40 series travels on the Nichinan Line
Inohae is a deep valley in Miyazaki Prefecture, about 1,000 km southwest of Tokyo. The valley is located along Hiroto River, and surrounded by a green forest. It is covered with more than 300 varieties of moss, which are one sixth of the world's moss species.
A place of interest in the valley is Goju-no-taki (Five-level Cascade) in the head stream. As its name suggests, this cascade is composed of five levels of small waterfalls. The total height is 25 m. The outcrop is an alternation of sandstone and shale, which was deposited on the bottom of a deep sea around 30 to 40 million years ago.
To see this beautiful cascade, please take the JR Kyushu Nichinan Line and get off at Kitago Station. The route is a non-electrified single track. The gauge size is 1,067 mm. Diesel rail cars are operated every hour on average. The most convenient train is "Nichinan Marine" departing Miyazaaki Station, but using the local train is also very pleasant, as you can secure enough time to see the beautiful Nichinan coast and the green sub-tropical forest from the train window.
The KiHa 40 series is your vehicle. This model was launched in 1977 to replace old models such as the KiHa 10 series. A total of 888 units had been built for six years. Their sisters are seen across the country such as Hokkaido Island, the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Chugoku District. The white body with a blue stripe is called Kyushu-color train.
Goju-no-taki fall near Kamigo Station on the Nichinan Line
Diesel rail-car Hitachinaka Kaihin Railway KiHa 11-6 leaves Katsuta Station
Hitachinaka Kaihin Railway is a small company in Ibaraki Prefecture, about 120 km northeast of Tokyo. Connecting Katsuta on the JR East Joban Line and Ajigaura, the route, named the Minato Line, is only 14.3 km with 10 stations. The whole route is an un-electrified single track.
On December 30th, 2015, the company launched a new diesel rail-car, KiHa 11 series, on the Minato Line. The purpose of introducing the new model was to replace the old "JNR type" models, such as the KiHa 2000 series. A total of three units have been moved from JR Central to Hitachinaka Kaihin Railway. The new unit numbers are KiHa 11-5, 11-6 and 11-7.
When I visited the Minato Line last month, KiHa 11-6 was being operated as a regular train. Before weekends, the company announces the operational information of the trains on their website, so rail-fans can get information about the "trains on duty" in advance.
The body colour of the KiHa 11 series is the same as that of the JR Central... white with an orange coloured stripe. It is clean and beautiful. I like the KiHa 11 series, specifically its hardness of the seats. I feel dissatisfied with current Japanese trains' passenger seats, as they have become harder. Contrary to what I expected, KiHa 11's seats were soft and nice to sit on. No matter how nice the seats are, you should enjoy looking at the beautiful country view from the train windows instead of napping on the train on the Minato Line.
Diesel rail-car Hitachinaka Kaihin Railway KiHa 11-6 travels on the Minato Line
Steam locomotive C12 67 is preserved in front of Chino Station on the Chuo Main Line
After one month and a half of mild winter, a cold wave has come to the Tokyo metropolitan area. The maximum daytime temperature was less than 10 degrees Celsius yesterday. I can hardly wait for spring. Before the exciting season, I am going to show you last year's spring scene on the Chuo Main Line.
Chino is an inland city in Nagano Prefecture, some 200 km west of Tokyo. It is surrounded by high mountains. At the end of April, this small city says goodbye to winter and says hello to spring. I visited this beautiful city with my family last year taking the JR East Chuo Main Line. Our purpose of this visit was to see the Katakuri flowers. Katakuri (Japanese Dogtooth Violet) produces lovely pale purple blossoms in early spring. The natural masses of Katakuri blossoms were found here and there in the forest. They were carefully protected by local people.
On the way to the Katakuri field from Chino Station, I came across a preserved steam locomotive (SL), C12 67, in front of the Chino Station. The SL Class C12 was launched in 1932 for the local lines throughout Japan. It is a 2-6-2 type (Whyte notation) small tank locomotive. A total of 282 units had been built for eight years. Unit number 67, namely C12 67, was built in 1933 by Hitachi. After her retirement from the track, she was moved to Chino City in 1973 to be preserved.
Travel sometimes has unexpected lucky accidents
Katakuri blossoms are seen near Chino Station on the Chuo Main Line
EMU Keio 8013F of the 8000 series passes through Hachiman-yama Station
As I reported before, Keio Electric Railway has renovated its Takao-sanguchi Terminal to promote tourism to Mt. Takao, which was granted the highest rank of three stars in the Michelin Voyager Pratique issued in 2007. Following the station renovation, Keio launched a special poster train, 8013F of the EMU 8000 series, on September 30th, 2015. It is also a promotion for sightseeing to Mt. Takao.
Why is this poster train painted a green colour? It is because the green colour symbolizes the forest of Mt. Takao. The other reason is the revival of Keio's old train. According to the company's official announcement, the body colour of the 8013F has been taken from the EMU 2000 series. It was launched in 1957, and retired from the Keio Line in 1983. The 2000 series had a steel body with a green colour. Even now, you can still see it in Keio Rail-Land near Tama Zoological Park Station, since one unit of the 2000 series is preserved as an exhibition.
By the way, I found a pentagonal plate on the front of 8013F. What is it? It is a signboard used for an advertisement of the hot spring in the Takao-sanguchi station yard. Keio recently drilled a well in the station yard, and found a hot water bed in the subsurface. The hot spring will provide hikers, who enjoy strolling in the forest of Mt. Takao all day long, with the ultimate relaxation.
Unit number 2015 of the EMU Keio 2000 series (Type 2010) is preserved in Keio Rail-Land
