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The long awaited Romance Car museum will open next month, April 19. Located in Ebina. Admission for adults will be 900 yen. At the moment, by reservation only. Official website: https://www.odakyu.jp/romancecarmuseum/ press release: https://www.odakyu.jp/romancecarmuseum/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/museum_release.pdf

Hi everyone! So I'm currently living in Shenzhen, China for 2 years while I teach music at an international school. During our first October holiday, we got to visit Tokyo, Japan, where I fell in love with the vast and efficient system of trains and the general politeness of the people we met. I've been lucky enough to live in several countries in my life, but Japan strikes me as a shining example of what other places could achieve if they fully committed to public rail transport. So, I got some trains from the wonderful Kato store, as well as a pair of second hand Shinkansen (100 and 300) from Popondetta Akihabara, and enough track for a simple double loop with stations. After a couple of weekend trips to Hong Kong, I built up enough track for a much larger double loop with some buildings and sidings. Then I began building a viaduct system to run the Shinkansen. I based my system on the central Tokyo station, and the next commuter stop on the Yamanote line, Shimbashi. That's my simple 4 track commuter station across the street from a row of large skyscrapers (still collecting those) and behind that, the Shinkansen viaducts. That's the main diorama of the layout, and everything else is mostly for operation. I enjoy a mix of scenery and passenger operation, especially with a variety of different types of trains with different roles, Commuter, Limited Express, and long distance Shinkansen. Here's a basic rundown of my layout plan, and eventual additions. The layout is basically complete at this point, and what I'm going to add are staging tracks and a connecting ramp between the upper and lower lines which will make the operation more fun. I began by thinking about the kind of operation I most enjoyed, with commuter trains making regular stops and shuffling back and forth, and ducking away to let faster express trains by. Once I had that idea down, I started designing the scene I wanted. I particularly liked the spot in Tokyo, the Maranouchi skyline seen from the imperial gardens where the trains are running in between the skyscrapers. The main diorama is loosely based on that. Tokyo station at the moment is represented by a single-level 4-track terminus, and a lovely old Faller station kit built by my father in the late 1980s! I thought it a decent stand-in for the gorgeous red-brick Maranouchi station building. My apartment has a spare bedroom which we mostly don't use - so it was perfect as a spot for a return loop. The Shinkansen line is essentially a single track loop folded into a dumbell shape with a return loop at each end. I've tried to keep the 'driving on the left' system as far as possible - so familiar to me from designing OO British layouts for so long. Since I'm focusing on Tokyo amd Shimbashi, I'm focusing on the JR West Shinkansen, which have always been my favorite - the 100, 300, 500, and 700 series. I finally got an E7 though. The blue and gold is so pretty, and since the line to Kanazawa will eventually link up with Osaka, I consider it an honorary West Shinkansen, even though it leaves Tokyo via Omiya. The way I run this layout at present, trains leave Tokyo station and cross to the inner track. Eventually they terminate and cross back to the outer track in the other direction, and terminate back at Tokyo. More details and structures to come! I had a frustrating period of trying to do a city pavement base for my Maranouchi scene with thick card - which bent up and wouldn't lie flat, even with metal rulers glued to it. In the end I gave up and went with thin card which sits flat much better. I'll keep updating it as I can! I have an order of track and structures on the way which will spruce up the Tokyo Station a little. Also coming are the two wonderful Odakyu Romancecars - 7000 and 10000 series, both in wine red color. Favorites of mine from Microsoft Train Simulator back in the day! All best! Keep 'em rolling, train fans! Michael

It seems like there are not so many types of trains that really allow for good zenmen tenbou video. A few exceptions are those on express services between Tokyo and the greater Izu peninsula area, such as the JR East 251 and various Odakyu limited express types. Our videographer, HKASAMA, rides the newest of the latter, the 70000 series, for the video below. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odakyu_70000_series_GSE https://www.youtube.com/user/HKASAMA/videos

Yoyogi-Hachiman Station on the Odakyu Line is the first station west of Yoyogi-Uehara on the line to Odakyu's Shinjuku terminus and one of those quintessentially Japanese urban stations, i.e. built in a somewhat impractical manner - in this case on a curve, with a wide spacing between tracks as they're opening out so the Chiyoda line can come up between them to reach Yoyogi-Uehara; there's a level crossing at one end, which has an unusually wide spacing between tracks due to said curve, and which is preventing the platforms from being extended to accommodate 10-car trains, as well as being potentially dangerous/disruptive to trains with pedestrians and vehicles getting stuck on in the middle (Google Street view from 2013: https://goo.gl/maps/uHL2zSPKq5z ). Obviously it had to go; it's closed off and the station is being rebuilt with a central platform and overhead entrance/exit, which will improve access from Yamate-dori; the crossing itself has been moved under the Yamate-dori bridge (Google Street view: https://goo.gl/maps/dNsH7Dr5Mny ). Central platform is taking shape in the direction of the crossing, with supports for the new station in place: yoyogi-hachiman-station-2018-03-31c by Rail Squid, on Flickr Looking towards Shinjuku: yoyogi-hachiman-station-2018-03-31h by Rail Squid, on Flickr View from the crossing immediately to the east of the station: yoyogi-hachiman-station-2018-03-31a by Rail Squid, on Flickr

Keisei Skyliner. Emphasizing the straightness and speed of the route, no doubt contrasting with JR East’s more circuitous and slow service, at least to Tokyo. Keio Railway Liner service. A long feature CM emphasizing the comfort the service provides for tired workers going home. Finally, a CM from Odakyu advertising their quad tracking becoming fully operational this month with the spring timetable revision.

Today, Hakone Tozan Railway announced their new 3100 type EMU. This train will feature the same design as the 3000 type 'Allegra', but without the second cab per car the 3000 type had. Hakone Tozan will take delivery of two 2-car sets during April 2017, after which the 3100 type will go into service from May 2017. Source: http://www.hakone-tozan.co.jp/dat/pdf/3100%BF%B7%C2%A4%A5%EA%A5%EA%A1%BC%A5%B9%BD%A4%C0%B5%C8%C7.pdf

Interesting speculative article about what Odakyu may see as its primary competitors. Kanto is seen as having less heated competition between railways than Kansai (save maybe Keikyu/Keisei vs. JR East), but this highlights a possible battleground for passenger traffic. As a result of its four track mainline project, Odakyu is targeting a 4.3% increase in passenger traffic by 2020. In daily terms, this comes to an increase of about 80,000 to 90,000 passengers from the current number. The first rival is Keio Dentetsu, for the Nagayama/Tama Center to Shinjuku traffic. Keio has the advantage in passenger numbers currently, with daily riders from Tama Center using Keio numbering 84,000 to Odakyu's 48,500. It could be the prospect of competition with Odakyu that has led to Keio introducing 5 new trainsets with reserved seating by spring 2018. Another railway many may think would be a rival is Tokyu, with their Den'entoshi Line. But this line is already running at or over capacity, and it could be said that a fractional diversion of traffic to the Odakyu Line would be welcomed by Tokyu. The article then proposes that Odakyu's biggest rival for passengers will be Sotetsu, which is currently building a line eventually connecting with Tokyu at Hiyoshi via Shin-Yokohama (completion spring 2019). Not to mention a connection with JR East. The market would be for passengers from the Ebina and Shonandai areas, which currently Odakyu holds an advantage (daily 135,000 pax vs. 113,000 and 88,000 pax vs. 27,000, respectively). Sotetsu has an advantage post-construction over Odakyu in that its services begin at these stations, so passengers boarding at these stations have a better chance of securing a seat all the way to Shinjuku, Shibuya or Meguro. Asked about whether Sotetsu is favoring promoting services to Shibuya, or to Meguro via Hiyoshi (Meguro Line), the president of Sotetsu Group said he wanted to promote both. http://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/121002

Equipment malfunction May 13 on the Metro Chiyoda Line led to a rolling stock substitution, with a 16000 series making a midday run to Hon Atsugi. After terminating there, it ran out of service to Isehara, where it turned back via a crossover, returning to Hon Atsugi for the next up service. This is apparently the first time Metro stock has done this in daylight hours, typically these are only seen on this stretch of line in the nighttime.

Looks like the JR Central 371 series has its last run coming up. Used until March 2012 on the Asagiri service that interchanged with Odakyu, it was used on "Nakasendo Train" service, running between Nagoya and Narai on the Chuo Line, as well as charter services since autumn 2012. This series consists of only 1 7-car train. It was built in 1991, but appears to be in fine condition. I'm not sure what to expect but I will be a bit shocked if it's actually scrapped. btw, DAJF doesn't have this on Wikipedia yet http://jr-central.co.jp/news/release/nws001541.html http://rail-uploader.khz-net.com/index.php?id=30178 previous threads: http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/8028-jr-central-narai-to-nagoya-on-the-nakasendo-train/ http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/3058-jr-series-371/

Once again, for forum members in Japan, Fuji TV's variety info program Real Scope Hyper will have a one hour special about trains "behind the scenes", this time the limited express trains of the private railways, including Odakyu. Fuji TV Saturday May 10, 7pm~

Did anyone post this yet? http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/09/07/the-most-crowded-train-lines-during-rush-hour-in-tokyo-osaka-and-nagoya-are/ Pretty interesting, data is apparently from MLIT, so I think it's trustworthy. I never lived in Kanto, so the figures for those lines don't mean a lot to me, other than explaining why JR East buys so many new trains . The figures for Osaka and Nagoya, however, help me picture train interiors, platforms, and seas of people at the gates :). The private railways really take the prize in Osaka, and in Nagoya, the municipal subway system appears the most in the list. Also interesting to see how Meitetsu places. JR Central only appears once, at number 5, further reinforcing my impression that they probably don't want to worry about the zairai lines too much :).

This evening at approx 18:10, an out of service (no passengers aboard) train leaving the rolling stock depot in the vicinity of Sagami Oono Station derailed, causing a widespread power failure, affecting trains on the Odakyu Main Line. The train was a 6 car consist, among which the third, fourth and fifth cars derailed. A number of other trains were no longer able to move on the mainline, forcing passengers to disembark and walk along tracks to the nearest grade crossing or train station. Apparently full operations will be restored by 23:00.

VSE LSE EXE MSE The Romancecar lineup is here.

Preorder starts today on 1999.co.jp http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10251048 unfortunately release date is April 2014 and its quite expensive for a 6 car set

Now well into autumn, the idiot box has more cold remedy commercials airing. This is a recently debuted commercial for "Estak" cold medicine, titled "Express" (presumably b/c it's fast acting). I detect a strong Odakyu influence in this one... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyPXFHAbLFw

I am planning to build a layout of the Hakone-Yumoto station. Is there a link to the real track layout of the station? Here is my first draft. I used AnyRail5 for the layout. Each square is 400mm.