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https://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0008094679 TV report:

An internet survey conducted last month of 703 adults living in the Tokyo Metropolitan area yielded these results(selected reasons follow): Best 3 1. Yamanote Line (convenient, the core of the transport network) 2. Tokyu Toyoko Line (runs through nice neighborhoods, passengers are fashionable) 3. Tokyu Den-en Toshi Line (same as above) Worst 3 1. JR Saikyo Line (full of chikan) 2. JR Keihin Tohoku Line (dirty image) 3. JR Joban Line (full of drunks, delinquents from the boondocks i.e Chiba, Ibaraki) http://bizmakoto.jp/makoto/articles/1505/26/news080.html

Related to the the post about the Keikyu poster, here is some info on train crowding at selected stations on the Toyoko and Den'en Toshi Lines. From the Tokyu corporate website. Toyoko Line (*crowding level is at arrival at Naka-Meguro) Yokohama: http://www.tokyu.co.jp/railway/guide/off-peak/pdf/rail-ty_yokohama.pdf Kikuna: http://www.tokyu.co.jp/railway/guide/off-peak/pdf/rail-ty_kikuna.pdf Musashi Kosugi: http://www.tokyu.co.jp/railway/guide/off-peak/pdf/rail-ty_musashi-kosugi.pdf Jiyugaoka: http://www.tokyu.co.jp/railway/guide/off-peak/pdf/rail-ty_jiyugaoka.pdf Den'en Toshi Line (*crowding level is at arrival at Shibuya) Minami Machida: http://www.tokyu.co.jp/railway/guide/off-peak/pdf/rail-dt_minami-machida.pdf Nagatsuta: http://www.tokyu.co.jp/railway/guide/off-peak/pdf/rail-dt_nagatsuta.pdf *note on the Den'en Toshi Line the relatively uniform level of services ("heikou daiya" or parallel pathings), the service pattern from Futakotamagawa to Shibuya is all stops for all trains during the morning rush, regardless whether the train is designated a local or semi express. The very high congestion levels on this line dictate this pattern- it allows more trains to be squeezed into the rush hour, at the sacrifice of speed.

So on Sunday I was doing a bit of "zenmentenbouing" on the Toyoko Line, when I observed some trackwork being done at Yutenji Station, just one stop from Naka-Meguro. I was completely unaware of this, but this station will have a center passing track, usable in both directions, but primarily for up trains in the morning rush. The platforms (quite generous in width now), will be narrowed to allow the extra width of ROW to fit the center track, and the roof will be rebuilt with an arch design with a higher clearance. Currently on the Toyoko Line there are only four locations where faster trains can overtake or allow cross platform transfers with stopping trains: Shibuya, Jiyugaoka, Moto Sumiyoshi, and Kikuna. As the section of the line approaching Naka-Meguro in the up direction is the most congested, and with the planned 2019 introduction of through trains off the Sotetsu connection at Hiyoshi, extra line capacity is needed, especially on the 7.0 km of line between Shibuya and Jiyugaoka Stations. This additional track is expected to help with that problem. This YouTube video is already a few months old, and the track work as of last weekend is a bit more advanced than depicted here (iirc), but it gives a general idea of the layout of the approach to the station where the center track begins (currently being used as the up line). First is the approach in the up direction, followed by the down direction. Website with diagrams of the track layout: http://mirai-report.com/blog-entry-1309.html * I will try to make a visit to this station this summer holiday to get some on-site pictures, and post here.

As of 9:30pm services haven't been restored. Power outage affecting signals and crossings. https://youtube.com/watch?v=skvi_J8uGHI

This is a promo for the upcoming through service on the Tokyu Toyoko Line via the new underground Shibuya Station. *h/t to quashlo at SSC

I was in Tokyo this past weekend for a short spring holiday. Monday was my last day, intended on railfanning the inner end of the Tobu Tojo Line , but my plans were thwarted by a jumper(?) at Tsunashima Station on the Toyoko Line. This resulted in widespread disruption during the AM hours- all through operations via the Fukutoshin Line were suspended, also affecting the Tobu Tojo Line past Wako-Shi, as well as the Yurakucho Line and the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. I was on an express from Tokorozawa bound for Seibu Ikebukuro, the train was checked by a red signal somewhere around Nerima Station, was stopped for about 5 minutes before proceeding at reduced speed until Ikebukuro- I could see the tail end of the local train a few signal blocks ahead (signals on this stretch are three aspect), which was slowing us down. At Ikebukuro Station, I snapped a pic of the display showing the delays on the Tokyo Metro network:

Back from three weeks in Kanto and Kansai. Just a number of notes I made of the railway scene, opinions fully my own, of course. Toyoko Line- heaps more interesting with the run-throughs via the Fukutoshin Line. Has opened up more railfanning opportunities in the western regions of Tokyo and Saitama w/better access for someone based in Yokohama, like me. I have long lamented the demise of the Tokyu 8000 series on Tokyu Lines rails, but I have found an acceptable substitute- the Tobu 9000 series, which can be seen on the Toyoko Line thanks to the run-through ops. A contemporary (a wee later, actually) in design era with the 8000/8500's (1981), and thanks to that I can hear that sublime chopper whine once again on Toyoko Line rails, AGI (as God intended). And like the 8000 series, or 8500's for that matter, a spot in a motor car will give you a nice symphony of traction motor roar when running in notch 4. Almost enough to make you forget the vulgar GTO or characterless IGBT traction. At Tsunashima station. Blur your vision a bit, and you can almost believe it's an 8000 series moving out:

A one scene/location video of action between Hakuraku and Myorenji on a weekend morning. Camera is pointed in the up direction (towards Shibuya). In the description section, if you click on the times, you can go directly to the train listed. Too many 5050's as usual, but nice to see other types making the lineside action more interesting, including my favorite Tokyo Metro 10000 series. *this section of the Toyoko Line still maintains the old style of urban/inner suburban railway operation with numerous grade crossings, curves, cuttings and embankments.

Saturday I was trainwatching and shutterbugging at Myorenji Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line in Yokohama (I wanted to see some of the run-through trains). The 5050 series are ubiquitous, but while they passed (or stopped with the 8 car units) I noticed most of the cars are equipped with ladders mounted on the sides (below the center doors), to allow passengers to easily get off in emergency situations. Perhaps there are other trains equipped in such a manner, but this is the first time I saw such a mounting rather obviously placed in the lower center of the car.

For forum members living in Japan, tonight at 9 on NHK BS premium is a two hour special documentary on Tokyo's underground infrastructure- it appears they will focus part of the program on the recent underground link of the Toyoko and Fukutoshin Lines. Likely worth a viewing.