2023 Indonesian Railway Update: Ex-Tokyu 8000 Series

8003F (KuHa 8004 and others) of the EMU ex-Tokyu 8000 series in Indonesia

(Photo: Faris Fadhli, March, 2023)

I received the news from an Indonesian railfan. The last set of the ex-Tokyu 8000 series is still operated in Jakarta. Furthermore, its front color was recently changed to "red and white". My thanks go to Faris Fadhli, who kindly sent me the beautiful picture.

Let me quickly review the EMU Tokyu 8000 series. It was a direct current commuter train operated on the Tokyu lines in Japan from 1969 to 2008. 187 cars in total were built by Tokyu Sharyo. After retirement from Tokyu lines, 45 cars were transferred to Izukyu Railway; meanwhile, 24 cars were exported to Indonesia as secondhand trains.

I have a lot of memories of the 8000 series. When I was a high school student in Japan, the 8000 series was an essential vehicle to go to school. Time had passed and the 8000 series became my means of transportation in Jakarta, Indonesia, when I was stationed there from 2007 to 2011. I was always encouraged by this train both in my high school and expatriate days.

The life of the ex-Tokyu 8000 series is eventually coming to an end, but the last set, namely 8003F (KuHa 8004 and others), still remains on the track. It's currently composed of 10 cars. Its color design was modified several times. The face colors were recently changed from "red, yellow and white" to "red and white (top photo)". I would like to thank the local railway engineers in Indonesia, and hope it'll be operated as long as possible.

8003F (KuHa 8004 and others) of the EMU ex-Tokyu 8000 series in Indonesia

(August, 2008)

2023 Cherry Blossom Season in Tokyo

Electric car 9002 of the Toei 9000 series travels on the Arakawa line 

On March 14th, the Meteorological Agency of Japan declared that this year's sakura (cherry) blossoms had started blooming in Tokyo. The agency then reported that they fully blossomed on March 22nd. Spring has sprung! As I posted year after year, Japanese people harbor romantic emotions towards cherry blossoms. Cherry blossom viewing is a part of Japanese culture. This year, I again visited a tram route, the Toei-Arakawa line, to enjoy cherry blossoms and streetcars.

Let me quickly review the Toei-Arakawa line. Tokyo once had a 181-kilometer-long tram network; but most routes were abolished due to heavy traffic jams. Along with the Tokyu-Setagaya line, the Toei-Arakawa line is a precious tramline survivor, as it was constructed as an exclusive track. Connecting Waseda and Minowabashi, its operating length is 12.2 kilometer. The track is 1,372-milllimeter-wide and double. The electric system is 600V DC with an overhead catenary system.

I got off at Omokagebashi stop and visited a row of cherry trees along the Kanda River. They were in full bloom, and providing visitors with some glorious scenery. I came across a tramcar 9002 of the Toei 9000 series at Takato Bridge. The tramcar 9000 series is the retro-inspired model, which was commissioned in 2007. A total of 2 units were built by Aluna Sharyo. Each unit has a different color, namely brownish-red (car number 9001) and indigo-blue (car number 9002). Although the technical specification of the 9000 series is modernized, the exterior design and interior atmosphere of this model remains nostalgic.

A row of cherry trees along Kanda River near Omokagebashi stop

Transportation Bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (Toei):

https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/

The Joban Limited Express: Update

Set K15 of the EMU JR East E657 series with "green lake-colored" bodies

I recently visited the JR East Joban line for the first time in a year. What's new with this semi-trunk line in the eastern part of Japan?

Let me quickly review the Joban line to start. The 350-kilometer-long route penetrates the Pacific Ocean side of the Kanto and Tohoku districts. The whole route is electrified with two different systems. The section south of Toride has a 1,500V direct current (DC) system; meanwhile, the north of Fujishiro is electrified with a 50 hertz of 20,000V alternate current (AC) system. It's because the direct current has a negative impact on the observation at Kakioka Geomagnetic Observatory of the Japan Meteorological Agency, which is located near the track. There is a "dead section" (a section in which power supply is cut off) between Toride and Fujishiro stations.

Now let's head to the main topic. I found that the body color of set K15 of the EMU E657 series has been changed to a greenish color (official color name: green lake). The E657 series is the AC-DC train on the Joban line. It's operated as a limited express named Hitachi and Tokiwa. According to JR East, this color change is a part of the regional tourism campaign being held by JR East and Ibaraki Prefecture. The "new" color was taken from the "old" E653 series, which was retired from the Joban line in 2013. JR East plans to launch four more nostalgic E653 series-colored trains. Their colors will be scarlet blossom, blue ocean, orange persimmon and yellow jonquil. I'm looking forward to their debuts.

Set K9 of the EMU JR East E657 series with standard-colored bodies

Official information about the limited express Hitachi and Tokiwa:

https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/routemaps/hitachi.html

The 20th Anniversary of the Rinkai Line: Part 2

EMU JR East E233-7000 series stands at Osaki station on the Rinkai line

Let's continue where I left off last post.

The Rinkai line of Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit, Inc. penetrates the central part of the Tokyo Bay area. The track is constructed mainly underground the reclaimed islands, and several submarine tunnels connect these islands to each other.

There are several tourist resorts on the Rinkai line. My favorite is Odaiba-kaihinkoen (Odaiba seaside park). The nearest station is Tokyo Teleport on the Rinkai line and the Odaiba-kaihinkoen on the Yurikamome line. It's an artificial beach on the reclaimed island. I recently revisited there, and took a walk at the water's edge of the beach while looking at the night view. What jumped into my eyes was Rainbow Bridge. It's a double decked suspension bridge connecting the downtown area and New Tokyo Waterfront Subcenter. I remembered that the bridge was being illuminated colorfully in 2013 in celebration of the decision to host the 2020 Olympic Games. I can't believe it's been 10 years since then.

Well, this is a railway blog, so, let me introduce a train on the Rinkai line here. Along with the EMU 70-000 series, the E233-7000 series is a train on the line. It's JR East's train, and is directly operated from the JR East Saikyo line via Osaki station. It was commissioned in 2013 to replace the old EMU 205 series. 38 sets, 380 units in total, were built by JR East Niitsu Factory and J-TREC Yokohama Factory. Its shining stainless-steel body with green-colored stripes stands out on the Rinkai line.

Night view of the Tokyo Rainbow Bridge

The 20th Anniversary of the Rinkai Line

Set Z1 of the EMU TWR 70-000 series travels on the JR East Saikyo line

On December 1st, 2022, Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit, Inc. (TWR) celebrated the 20th anniversary of the whole line opening on the Rinkai line. In commemoration of the anniversary, the company held several events.

Let me quickly review the TWR-Rinkai line. It was originally planned and partly constructed as a freight line by the Japanese National Railways (JNR). After privatization of JNR, the route was replanned as a passenger line, and fully opened in 2002 under the newly established company, namely TWR. Connecting Oosaki on the JR East Yamanote line and Shin-Kiba, a transfer station to the JR East Keiyo and the Tokyo Metro-Yurakucho lines, the route length is 12.2 kilometers. The trains on the Rinkai line are directly operated onto the JR East Saikyo and the other lines.

Now, let's get down to the main topic. I recently found that the 20th anniversary memorial plate is displayed on the train front. It's set Z1 of the EMU 70-000 series. "Rinkaru", who is the mascot of the Rinkai line, is designed on the plate. According to TWR, Rinkaru is a dolphin boy, who appeared in Tokyo Bay in 2007. He always wears a railway cap, which was gifted by the stationmaster of Tokyo Teleport station, and likes candies and popcorn. His nickname, Rinkaru, was sought from the public. Rinkaru is always a boy, and said to be NOT getting to grow old. That scenario is a bit forced, isn't it?

Congratulations on the 20th anniversary of the Rinkai line!

The 20th anniversary memorial plate of the Rinkai line