Chikuho Electric Railroad- Fukuoka Prefecture

[bikkuri bahn]

I plan to visit and ride this line on my annual summer railfan journey.  It is the only remaining railway line in Japan whose fleet consists exclusively of railcars with nose suspended traction motors.  In particular I like the double articulated 2000 series, curiously there are few good or recent videos of this type on YT.  This is one of a 2000 series departing the Kurosaki terminal:

 

This region of Kyushu once had a network of streetcars and what is now called "light rail", most have been closed and the tracks ripped up or paved over.  There was the Kita Kyushu Line, which used single cars but on a reserved right of way on this portion, which allowed relatively high speeds.  A good cab view video here, it's fun to watch the actions and listen to the motorman:

*at about 7:54 you can see the junction with the Chikuho, the portion of this line to Kurosaki is still in operation. The motorman thanks the passengers for their patronage over the years, as this line will close.

[bill937ca]

Here`s a few. A bit too isolated I guess for a large following. Love those growling gears.

 

 

 

[bill937ca]

Feb 10 2011

 

 

Oct 10, 2011

 

[Sacto1985]

Thanks for the videos! What's interesting about these streetcars is the fact they use 1435 mm gauge rails, kind of unusual given that most of the streetcars that still run in Japan use 1067 mm gauge rails, the same gauge found on most JR and private railway lines.

 

Anyway, if I have chance, I want to ride the Chōshi Electric Railway Line from JR Chōshi Station all the way out to Tokawa Station, as we see from these two videos:

 

Part One:

 

 

Part Two:

 

[cteno4]

Arrrrrggggggg! Such awesome scenes to model! I have to get going on the one track sectional bookshelf layout!

 

Thanks mucho

 

Jeff

[miyakoji]

It is the only remaining railway line in Japan whose fleet consists exclusively of railcars with nose suspended traction motors.

 

So the traction motors are bolted to the carbody's frame, and connect to the trucks by drive shafts?

[marknewton]

No, the traction motors are flexibly supported on one side by the track/bogie frame, and are suspended on the other side by bearings on the axle. There is a small gear on the motor armature shaft which meshes with a large gear on the axle.

 

 

Brill 27G truck

 

 

Sydney R1 truck

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

[miyakoji]

Ok, so this lacks that weird universal joint that makes a cardan drive, and the motor is suspended at one end by springs?  I've sometimes read that the Acela has a "tripod drive," is that a cardan drive?  Tremendously fine distinctions here in decades-old railway technology 

[bikkuri bahn]

Ok, so this lacks that weird universal joint that makes a cardan drive, and the motor is suspended at one end by springs?  I've sometimes read that the Acela has a "tripod drive," is that a cardan drive?  Tremendously fine distinctions here in decades-old railway technology 

 

Yes, there is no universal joint, it's a direct pinion and gear connection.  Dunno about the tripod drive, sounds French .  Locomotives have more varied drive systems than EMUs.