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Recent broadcast on NHK general about the redevelopment of the Shibuya Station area, with a focus on the opening of the Saikyo Line platform adjacent to the Yamanote Line platform, and the movement of tracks as well as the railway bridge crossing the old Oyama Road leading to Dougenzaka and the Shibuya Scramble intersection. 1000 construction workers and specialists along with 100 vehicles were given 52 hours to do the task, while observing covid-19 countermeasures. Everything had to be finished at the end of 52 hours and full restoration of Saikyo Line services. Everything was timed to the minute, with each person tasked with specific duties. There was even a mock bridge set up off site to rehearse the move and set procedures. Other parts of the documentary explain the redevelopment of the station area to improve passenger and pedestrian circulation and safety in the event of natural disasters, in coordination with four different railway companies.

A little excursion on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line this Monday yielded this discovery- a three way switch at the “down” end of Shounai Station. These type of switches are relatively rare due to their expense of construction and maintenance, but Hankyu saw it fit to construct one at this location, possibly to keep conflicting movements to a minimum should a turnback service be required. View from an “up” direction train: From the end of the up platform: Apparently, in addition to this location, there are six other places on the Hankyu system where three way switches are in use. Given that there are only 4 other known locations of this type of switch elsewhere on other railways in the nation, it can be said that Hankyu is the “Mecca” of the three way switch.