JR Shikoku "Ishizuchi" Limited Express (Takamatsu-Matsuyama)

[Sacto1985]

YouTube user saremya posted an excellent zenmen tenbou (front cab view) video of the Ishizuchi limited express train from Takamatsu to Matsuyama: 

 

 

Note this is taken from a 8000 Series train, an EMU unique to the JR Shikoku network that "tilts" into curves like the JNR Class 381 EMU used on the JR West Yakumo train between Okayama and Izumoshi and the 383 EMU used on the JR Central Shinano train between (mostly) Nagoya and Nagano. The poster includes notations on stations along the way, other trains on the line and even the radius of the curves along the way!  :)

 

EDIT: saremya also posted a zenmen tenbou video of the ride on the Uwakai limited express from Uwajima back to Matsuyama, as shown here:

 

 

It should be noted the trip from Uwajima to Matsuyama is done on a 2000 Series train, a DMU unique to the JR Shikoku network that "tilts" into curves like the KiHa 187 DMU used on the Super Oki train between Tottori and Shin-Yamaguchi. 2000 Series DMU's are more frequently seen on the Nanpū limited express between Okayama and Kōchi.

Edited June 30, 2013 by Sacto1985

[miyakoji]

Great find, Sacto.  This guy has some good videos of rarely-recorded lines.

[Sacto1985]

I just found another one from saremya taken in the same part of Shikoku:

 

 

This is a ride from Uwajima to Kubokawa on an older JNR KiHa 32 DMU, which are common in southern Shikoku. This has to be some of the most "rural" rail travel besides the JR West Sankō Line between Miyoshi and Gotsu.

Edited June 30, 2013 by Sacto1985

[Nick_Burman]

 

It should be noted the trip from Uwajima to Matsuyama is done on a 2000 Series train, a DMU unique to the JR Shikoku network that "tilts" into curves like the KiHa 187 DMU used on the Super Oki train between Tottori and Shin-Yamaguchi. 2000 Series DMU's are more frequently seen on the Nanpū limited express between Okayama and Kōchi.

Now that I finally managed to download the film (pesky internet connection) I've been able to see it and it's a very interesting ride, especially from a technical/historical perspective. Although JRF doesn't run south of Matsuyama, the stations still have their freight facilities more or less intact, giving one the idea of how station track layouts were in the past (very simple). Also it made me think how, despite the very tough territory, Japanese railways were very well engineered - despite the tight curves (not as half as tight as some here in Brazil...) the railcar keeps quite a cracking pace...

 

Cheers NB