Must-see Railway News: The First Half of 2022

First up in the first half of railway news for 2022, Japan's railway companies have been exploring the future of the railway.

Tokyu Railways has installed 4K, 5G connected cameras on the platform at Jiyugaoka Station.

Using these cameras, AI analyzes passenger movement and controls the opening and closing of the train doors usually done by the station staff.

Tokyu Railways has been conducting this experiment for four months.

In the future, we believe AI will be able to make
decisions more safely than humans.

Tokyu Railways hopes to automate station operations in the near future so that station staff can focus on customer service.

On February 25, a press event was held to demonstrate automated driving on the Yamanote Line which is being developed due to a predicted shortage of drivers.

From 2018 until February this year, the automatic train operation developed by JR East was tested late at night on the Yamanote Line, after the last train.

Since then, tests have been conducted during daytime business hours.

The test train, which consists of 11 cars just like normal operation, is equipped with an ATO or Automatic Train Operation system.

On this day, the train takes about an hour to circle the 34.5 km, stopping at each station.

The driver simply pushes a button to depart.

All operations afterwards, including acceleration and deceleration, are performed automatically.

The driver doesn't have to touch anything.

Staff from the system's manufacturer record detailed information about driving functions, ride comfort, and energy conservation performance at various points.

Based on the results, we think automated
operation will begin soon.

The test have been going well.

On JR Ueno Station's platform, they are testing a sound visualization device called "Ekimatopeia."

Tests will be conducted for six months, beginning June 15.

"Ekimatopeia" is a portmanteau of "Eki," the Japanese word for station, and "Onomatopoeia."

The device visually expresses environmental sounds, such as station broadcasts and train sounds, as text, sign language, and onomatopoeia in real-time using AI.

This project was developed by JR East and a major IT company with hearing impaired children in an effort to make daily train travel more accessible and enjoyable.

However, it's not just aimed at the hearing impaired.

It's hoped all passengers will use "Ekimatopeia" to communicate, leading to a greater awareness of the differently-abled people who ride the trains.

Automated driving and artificial intelligence, it's exciting to see Japan implementing these new technologies.

I think so.

Using the technologies like the artificial intelligence, we may be able to build a system that can perform safety checks upon the start of trains better than the human conductors.

And also, the Ekimatopeia or the stationmatopeia, I think those are the really interesting concept, and I do hope that these technologies can reduce the workload of the station staff

and then those staff will be able to look elsewhere and provide services that cannot be provided by the automated systems.

Since you mentioned that, we seem to think that the more technology progresses, the more it will replace humans, but I think more than ever,

having people support the railway from behind the scenes is so important.

And we have some heartwarming stories here for you.

Kurobe Gorge Railway runs through the Kurobe Gorge in Toyama Prefecture.

The famous trolley train runs for about six months, from spring, when the snow melts, to the end of autumn.

During the snowy winter season, the trolley train service is closed.

For six months, thorough maintenance is conducted at Kurobe Gorge Railway's train depot.

They make use of the long winter to overhaul the vehicles, which cannot be done when the trolley is in service.

Beside the mechanics, staff from other departments also come to help.

Kurobe Gorge Railway's trolley train operates on narrow 762-mm-rails, so the cars had to be custom-made.

Half of the railway's vehicles have now been in operation for more than 50 years.

Unfortunately, manufacturing new vehicles is expensive, especially in small numbers.

So, the company is careful to inspect and clean every part of the vehicles to ensure the trains live a long life.

This is Mr. Ishibashi Takanori.

I work as a driver during the season.

After three years with the company, Mr. Ishibashi, fulfilled his childhood dream and became a train driver last summer.

As there are no parallel roads along Kurobe Gorge Railway, the drivers and conductors do their own maintenance on the brakes and wheels so they can respond to breakdowns.

Width, 22.

I never thought I'd be disassembling
and maintaining locomotives.

As a driver, it's good to know
how each component works.

I believe this work is necessary.

It shouldn't happen but if there
is a problem with the train, it's good to know how to
deal with it quickly.

Mr. Ishibashi and his team are also responsible for removing the dirt that accumulates during the season.

The vehicle is carefully cleaned, and the bright livery returns to life.

Despite coming from different departments, the staff work together to prepare for the coming spring.

They ensure that the vehicle is clean and the wheels and motors are well-maintained.

On April 27, the train began operating on a partial section cleared of snow.

Full operation began once all the snow was cleared, on May 26.

Kurobe Gorge Railway is aiming for 500,000 passengers to ride the trolley train this year.

They hope to see their sales recover after a decline caused by the pandemic.

Next up is some cheery news from the last station on Yuri Kogen Railway - a rural railway that runs North to South through Yurihonjo City in Akita Prefecture.

This is Yashima Station on Yuri Kogen Railway.

Here, working at the kiosk, is a lovely woman who makes visitors smile, Sato Matsuko.

Matsuko-san used to work at a travel agency inside Yashima Station.

However, the store closed its doors 20 years ago, Matsuko-san, who always greeted customers with a smile,

was worried that there would be no place for people to interact.

So a kiosk was built and Matsuko-san became the store clerk.

Since then, she has continued to entertain visitors.

You're 91? That's amazing.

And many more years to come, I hope.

Me too.

I want to keep the lights on so that people
feel comfortable when they come here.

A casual conversation at the kiosk can turn into a life counseling session.

At the moment, I'm working part time.

Is that so?

Because of her friendly and helpful advice, the kiosk is now known as "Matsuko's Room."

I needed someone to talk to.

After talking to her, I feel a lot better.

It's been six months since the news was broadcast Matsuko-san's story.

We went back to visit her.

Welcome, I'm Matsuko.

Thank you for coming today.

A local has brought Matsuko-san some vegetables to share.

Matsuko-san's cheerful voice echoes throughout the station building.

After the January broadcast, more visitors than ever before came to see Matsuko-san.

So many people, young and old, have
come to tell me they saw me on TV.

Now, my little shop has become a place to visit on
the way to Mt. Chokai, a famous local mountain.

At 11:22 a.m., the train arrives at Yashima Station.

Passengers have come from all over Japan to get a stamp and inscription to show that they have ridden Yuri Kogen Railway.

At Yashima Station, visitors can also ask Matsuko-san to write the inscription by hand.

I like all of them.

Can I have no.1?

Sure, no problem.

Have some candy.

Matsuko-san carefully brushes "Yuritetsu," short for Yuri Kogen Railway.

Here you go.

Thank you very much.

This passenger now has a memory of Matsuko-san in his travel diary.

I'm very grateful for the visitors
who come here.

They are helping to revitalize the
area so I want to treat them well.

I hope to continue until I'm 100 or maybe
ever 120, if I'm lucky!

Even in winter, when the trolley train service is suspended, the Kurobe Gorge Railway staff are working hard to maintain the trolley train, they're even taking it apart.

Yes, that's right.

And the important aspect of that is that the crew members are engaged in the maintenance work of the vehicles.

And that's important because by doing so, they will have the better knowledge of the structure of the trains and that helps when the trains are in actual operation in the summer,

and specially under the circumstance when the trains are in trouble and those crew members will be able to cope with the situation much better.

Yeah, they took it apart so they know a little more about the train itself.

That's right.

So in the case of Yuri Kogen Railway, we saw Ms. Sato who cheers up the people at the station, and strictly speaking she's not a station member of staff but still she's crucial to the railway.

Well, you know, Ms. Sato presence has been really really significant for the station, for the railway and for the local community as well, I think.

I do hope that she healthily stays on and on for many years to come.

I hope so too.

To be honest, I want to visit Yuri Kogen Railway just to get the chance to meet her in person one day.

Now, next let's check out anniversary events of the "shinkansen" and debuting tourist trains.

On March 15th, a ceremony to celebrate the 50th-anniversary of the initial opening of the Sanyo Shinkansen Line was held on the platform at JR Okayama Station in Okayama City.

Beginning service in March 1972, the Sanyo Shinkansen, first ran between Okayama and Shin-Osaka Stations before extending to Hakata Station three years later.

To date, three billion passengers have used the line.

These are the tickets for the 50th anniversary event.

To get their hands on the limited commemorative tickets, some excited fans lined up at the ticket booth at Okayama Station the night before they went on sale.

I have fond memories of a trip with my
family on the Sanyo Shinkansen.

I hope the shinkansen continues running
as it is for many years to come.

Next up in the news, is an event to celebrating the 150th anniversary of railway transport in Japan.

Appearing at the celebration were Seibu Railway's express train "Laview" and Chichibu Railway's steam locomotive "SL Paleo Express."

Arriving first at Seibu-Chichibu Station, Seibu Railway's "Laview" waits for the "SL Paleo Express."

At 12:20 p.m., the "SL Paleo Express" arrives, greeting "Laview" with a prolonged whistle.

"Laview" responds by blowing its whistle in return.

The passengers and station staff all wave.

Seeing the two trains together, I can
feel the 150 years of railway history.

I hope people take home great
memories of the Chichibu area.

Seeing an old steam locomotive and a new limited express train together gave people to reflect on the history of Japanese railroads.

On April 2, the next generation of the "Iyonada Monogatari" tourist train, running in Ehime Prefecture, made its debut.

A departure ceremony was held at JR Matsuyama Station.

"Iyonada Monogatari" runs between Matsuyama and Iyo-Ozu, and Matsuyama and Yawatahama Stations.

In the seven and a half years since its debut in 2014, 140,000 passengers have ridden JR Shikoku's tourist train.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Matsuyama Station, attended by the president of JR Shikoku.

As it's the first day of operation, all four tours are fully booked.

56 passengers board the first train in the morning.

JR's staff wave them off as it departs.

The new three-car train features a motif of the sun setting over the Iyonada Sea.

The livery is red and gold, while the interior has a retro-modern design.

There is also a private room that can seat up to eight people.

"Iyonada Monogatari" will run four times a day, mainly on Friday through Sunday, and holidays.

For seven days, between April 29 and May 5, Hankai Tramway, which operates streetcars in Osaka and Sakai Cities, ran one of the oldest streetcars in Japan.

Built in 1928, "Mo 161" is currently the oldest streetcar in operation in Japan.

The money required to restore the car to operating condition was raised through crowdfunding in 2021.

It was done as part of a project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Hankai Line.

After its restoration, "Mo 161" began regular operation in December, running for three months.

It was so well received it is now operating again for a limited time during the holidays.

I like the unique retro feeling
of the Hankai Line.

The framework and bogies are iron,
while the interior is wood.

The tram's most attractive
feature is its age.

We hope people come and see the tram which started service in 1928
and is still running strong today.

On May 14, JR Soya Line's new tourist train, "Hanatabi Soya" began service in Hokkaido.

Its long-awaited debut was set back two years because of the pandemic.

The colorful designs on the three train cars depicting brown bears, squirrels, other animals, and wilderness scenes, catch the attention of the crowd.

The first train departing from Asahikawa Station is seen off by city officials.

I'm delighted to see the train
finally in operation.

I hope many people enjoy it.

"Hanatabi Soya" operated as a tourist train until early June.

It now operates as a regular train.

The Sanyo Shinkansen is celebrating it's 50th anniversary and then we have Seibu Railway and Chichibu Railway working together

bringing a really new cutting edge technology train and a classical steam locomotive seeing them both together was just wonderful.

Well both of these events remind us of the very long Japanese railway history and this year marks the 150th anniversary of the Japanese railways.

This is a really significant anniversary year as you know and it reminds us how far the Japanese railways have come.

150 years now, Ryo, is that the reason over the last half year, I've seen a lot of tourist train related news.

Well that may be connected but I think the more important news about that is that the Japanese government have lifted basically all the quasi-emergency measures against the covid-19 pandemic in March

and after that I imagine that very many local community people thought they wanted their own new tourist trains so they could attract people from outside the region and I think here,

the message is really clear, they wanted people to travel more.

I would love to travel more too.

Now with all these railway news and trains starting, unfortunately we also have to say goodbye to some beloved trains

and some trains that have been discontinued, have been given a second chance.

On March 11, Odakyu Electric Railway's limited express train known as the "White Romance Car," which connected central Tokyo to the Hakone region, ended regular service after 17 years.

Many fans bid farewell to the train.

The Limited Express Romancecar 50000 series VSE started service in 2005.

It was popular among tourists for its pure white car body and large-window observation seats in the lead cars.

VSE stands for "Vault Super Express."

The word "Vault" comes from the vaulted, dome-like ceiling.

With its stylish, streamlined exterior and extraordinary interior, it played a leading role in the Hakone sightseeing express service.

The model before, Odakyu's VSE was 30000 series EXE, which was introduced in 1996.

However, it lacked the traditional Romancecar observation seats because it was used as a general-purpose car for both sightseeing and commuter transport.

So, when Odakyu developed the next generation VSE Romancecar, they made sure to bring the traditional observation seats back.

The livery change, from the traditional vermillion-orange to white, also attracted a lot of attention.

The introduction of the VSE saw passenger numbers between Shinjuku and Hakone-Yumoto Stations increase significantly, and for the past 17 years it has been a fan favorite.

However, considering the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the railway industry, Odakyu Electric Railway decided it was too costly to continue maintaining the VSE,

which differs from the other Romancecars because it has bogies at each car coupling.

On March 11, many fans gathered at Shinjuku Station to catch a glimpse of the last train.

Shortly after 9:00 p.m., the fully loaded train begins to move, while people on the platform take pictures and wave goodbye to the train.

Thank you very much.

According to Odakyu Electric Railway, the VSE will continue to operate as an event train before discontinuing service around the fall of 2023.

Last but not least, news of a train that's been given a second chance.

The sleeper express "Hokutosei" that connected Ueno Station in Tokyo and Sapporo Station in Hokkaido, sadly ended service in 2015.

The sleeper cars were scheduled to be dismantled; however, volunteers were able to raise enough money through various means,

including crowdfunding, to buy two of them.

The cars are now preserved in Hokuto City where they are being used as a hotel.

A pre-opening event was held on April 22.

Railfans in Hokkaido could experience the accommodation firsthand.

The cars' interior remains almost unchanged from when the train was in operation.

The shower rooms are also the same.

Hot water comes out at the touch of a button, and the temperature is adjustable.

It still has that train smell.

This is great.

A train with such a long history, like
this one, makes a great attraction.

I hope it becomes a gathering place
for everyone, not just railfans.

It makes me happy to see our
customers' smiling faces.

I truly feel that it was worthwhile.

We'd like our hotel to become
a hub for travelers.

We think we can offer something different.