Set 205 of the EMU Tobu 200 series, "Calpis Express" branded train Do you see branded trains in your country? In Japan, yes, I often see trains being wrapped by corporate advertisements on the tracks. They are, for example, "Magical Dream Shinkansen" on the JR East Tohoku Shinkansen and "Studio Tour Tokyo Express" on the Seibu line. They are unique, beautiful and eye-catching; however, some of the branded trains are too flashy for me, so, I often hesitate to introduce branded trains in this blog. I recently came across a new branded train on the Tobu line. Please look at the top photo. That's ..read more

EMU JR East E233-1000 series comes out from the 2nd Takenomaru Tunnel Subsequent to the Odakyu line, I'm continuing to show you this year's sakura (cherry) blossoms in the metropolitan area. Yokohama is located about 20 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, and is the prefectural capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture. It's the second largest city in Japan in terms of population after Tokyo. Just like Tokyo, there are many sakura viewing spots such as Sankei-en. Today, please let me introduce you a park located in the southern part the city. Negishi Forest Park is a large public park on a hilly terrain ..read more

EMU Odakyu 70000 series, "GSE", passes by sakura trees in full bloom This year's sakura (cherry blossom) season has long since passed in the metropolitan area, but I continue posting this topic for the time being. A wide variety of sakuras are seen on the Odakyu lines ranging from famous spots such as Senbonzakura to nameless trees in my neighborhood. This year, I visited Zama City in Kanagawa Prefecture, about 50 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. I got off at Sobudaimae station on the Odakyu-Odawara line, and headed southwestward. Ten minutes later, I found that old sakura trees in full bloom f ..read more

Container train pulled by the electric locomotive Class JR Freight EH500, "Kintaro"  This is the sequel of my trip to Fukushima City last month. I would like to show you my favorite spot in the city. Yashikishita Railway Crossing is a famous train viewing spot among rail-fans. We can observe four kinds of trains there. I didn't look up the train schedule on purpose, and waited for trains with excitement. Ten minutes later, a red-colored locomotive jumped into my eyes. That was JR Freight's electric locomotive Class EH 500. Cool! The EH500, also known as Kintaro, was launched in 1997. It ..read more

Set Y511 of the EMU Minatomirai 500 series, the 20th anniversary poster train On February 1st this year, Yokohama Minatomirai Company celebrated the 20th anniversary of their Minatomirai line. In commemoration, many events were held by the company. Let me review the Minatomirai line. It's a subway route in Yokohama City, about 20 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Connecting Yokohama and Motomachi-Chukagai (Motomachi-Chinatown), the total length is 4.1 kilometers. It was opened in 2004 as an access route to the urban development area, Minatomirai 21. The track is double and electrified. The elect ..read more

EMU Keisei 3000 series passes through a vast tulip field near Keisei-Usui station I'm continuing railway mini-travels to find the advent of spring. My next destination was a vast tulip field located in Sakura City of Chiba Prefecture, about 60 kilometers east of Tokyo. I got off at Keisei-Usui station on the Keisei main line, and headed to the bank of Kashima River. After strolling for about 30 minutes, a windmill jumped into my eyes and in time, I could see the whole tulip field. Where am I? Is this the Netherlands? Joking aside, I fully enjoyed this colorful tulip field for a while. The eve ..read more

Set AB-2 of the EMU Abukuma Express AB900 series, "Lapras and Lucky Train" This is the sequel of my post before last. Sorry for jumping from one topic to another. After observing the preserved train at Soneda station on the Iizaka line, I shifted my attention to the adjacent track. 10 minutes later, the train, which I really wanted to see, was approaching me. That was the EMU Abukuma Express AB900 series. Abukuma Express, also known as Abukyu, is a local railway company straddling Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures. Connecting Fukushima and Tsukinoki stations, its operating length is 54.9 kilom ..read more

EMU Seibu New 101 series travels on the Tamagawa line It's getting warmer and warmer in Tokyo. The maximum daytime temperature is nearly 20 degrees Celsius. The spring outing season has just started. I recently visited the Seibu-Tamagawa line for the first time in three years. To start, let me quickly review the Seibu-Tamagawa line. It's a short local route in the western part of Tokyo. Connecting Musashi-Sakai on the JR East Chuo line and Koremasa near Tama River, the route length is 8.0 kilometers. The track is a 1,067 millimeter-size single and electrified. The electric system is 1,500 V D ..read more

Set 7101 of the EMU Fukushima Kotsu 7000 series is preserved at Soneda station This is the sequel of my last post. After enjoying the latest trains, the EMU 1000 series, on the Iizaka line of Fukushima Kotsu Company, I hit upon a question... "Where have all the old trains gone?" "All scrapped?" Please don't worry! I found that one set of the old train was being preserved at Soneda station. That's Set 7101 of the EMU 7000 series. Set 7101 is composed of 2 cars, namely DeHa 7101 and DeHa 7202. It's amazing that Set 7101 is preserved as the whole set, not just one car. Even more surprising, Set ..read more

Set 1103 of the EMU Fukushima Kotsu 1000 series travels on the Iizaka line I visited Fukushima City for the first time in 9 years. What was new with the local railways in this northern city? Let me quickly review Fukushima City to start. It's the capital city of Fukushima Prefecture in Tohoku District, some 270 kilometers north of Tokyo. The population is about 270,000. The urban area is rather small, but it's bustling with throngs of local people. The city is surrounded by beautiful nature, and famous for the production of delicious peaches. Now, let's get down to the main topic. After arriv ..read more