Chūō Main Line, Takao to Kōfu

[Sacto1985]

YouTube poster Ilke209kei posted this very interesting zenmen tenbou video of the Chūō Main Line from Takao (the west end of most commuter train service westward from Tokyo) to Kōfu, the capital city of Yamanashi Prefecture, riding a 115 Series EMU:

 

 

Note that tracks go through some very mountainous territory west of Takao, hence the many tunnels along the way.

[miyakoji]

I do not remember Kofu to Takao taking almost 90 minutes. Wow.

[Sacto1985]

I do not remember Kofu to Takao taking almost 90 minutes. Wow.

 

Well, you are riding a futsu (all-stops) train, and that's why it took 90 minutes from Takao to Kōfu. With the 115's soon to rapidly disappear from mainline service all over Japan, it'll be interesting to see what trainsets will be assigned to the Chūō Main Line between Takao and Shiojiri. If the loading gauge is compatible, the new E129's now being built for JR East operations in the Niigata area would certainly be perfect here.

[bronzeonion]

The 115's used on the Chuo line are a very mixed bunch! Some have almost original interiors, some have the modified seats with the dark blue headrests and a few others have an almost refurbished interior a much brighter colour scheme inside. Can anyone tell me why? Are these 115's all second hand from different lines? Etc.

 

Last time I was over there I went for a ride along the Chuo main line and there were a few oddities I experienced, for example the Fujikyu conductor from Kawaguchiko to Otsuki was walking through the train collecting fares between stops but did not return to the rear cab to operate the doors. Are there control panels in the passenger saloon or is it permitted to operate doors from the front cab?

 

Also on my return journey back to Takao from Kofu, the train was stopping very violently at every stop for at least 6 or 7 stops. When I say violent I mean violent, I havn't had stops so violent even on the UK railway let alone in Japan! I noticed there were 3 members of staff in the front cab but I don't think one was a trainee driver because they were all chatting like friends rather than the typical nervous trainee calling and pointing every signal! Maybe the brakes were just bad on that particular train. Hmm

[Ochanomizu]

Hello Mr bronzeonion,

 

Please allow me to answer some of your questions about 115 system on the Chuohonsen.

 

Firstly, 115 system was derived from 113 system.  It evolved to the form suitable for cold weather operation.  That is the original function.  Most of the 115 system on the Chuohonsen are original.  That is to say, they have not come from elsewhere.  From the 1960's 115-0 was in operation and 115-300 was added in 1973.  115-300 is air conditioned version.  There are many variants since as the 115 system was manufactured for 38 years, beginning in 1963.

 

115-0, 115-300, and 115-1000 all operate on the Chuohonsen.  You will find Yokosuka color, Nagano color, Shinsyu color.  The Shonan color is actually 165 system, but look quite similar.  The Minobu branch line, which links with the Chuohonsen at Kofu, operates 115-2000 system.

 

Over the years some of these 115s have been upgraded, but not all.  The story of the 115 system is quite long and complicated.  You can read completely here: http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/115%E7%B3%BB%E9%9B%BB%E8%BB%8A

Edited August 13, 2013 by Ochanomizu

[Sacto1985]

Ochanomizu,

 

The story of the JNR 113 and 115 EMU's is a long and complicated one because back when they were built new, it was essentially built for one customer: JNR. As such, you ended up with 2,900 113 Series EMU's and 1,921 115 Series EMU's, and they pretty much ran through most of Japan (113's in warmer areas, 115's in colder areas). I believe the 115's were assigned the more mountainous areas on the Chūō Main Line because you can get a lot of snow in the more mountainous regions of the line. Given the huge number built, no wonder they're still common sights on the Chūō Main Line and on the San'yō Main Line west of Himeji. 

 

I'm going to watch what happens once the new E129's start to replace the 115's in the Niigata area. It's possible that we could eventually see E129's replace the 115's between Takao and Shiojiri Stations, if the loading gauge is compatible.

[Ochanomizu]

Hello Sacto1985

 

Please do not mention the demise of 115 system.  I could not bear to witness that.

[Sacto1985]

Hello Sacto1985

 

Please do not mention the demise of 115 system.  I could not bear to witness that.

 

The bad news is that the 115's will soon be heading to the scrapyard in large numbers. Look, JR East is the Niigata area will replace them with E129's, and JR West has publicly said of a plan to replace the 115's running on the San'yō Main Line (山陽本線) that operate west of Himeji.

 

In short, it would not surprise me that by 2016, 115's will be completely replaced by a variant of the E129 between Takao and Shiojiri. It's going to be a bit strange to hear essentially the sound of the E233 in the Japanese Alps.

Edited August 14, 2013 by Sacto1985

[miyakoji]

Sacto, I don't think the end of the 113s and 115s is really that close. There are just so many of them. And, enough of those are in reasonably good condition, that they'll be running for years yet. I think there will still be some in regular service, maybe even with a JR company, in 2020.

[Sacto1985]

Sacto, I don't think the end of the 113s and 115s is really that close. There are just so many of them. And, enough of those are in reasonably good condition, that they'll be running for years yet. I think there will still be some in regular service, maybe even with a JR company, in 2020.

 

I'm not sanguine about the 115 fleet lasting beyond 2017-2018--at best. I believe the last new-build 115 was built in 1983, which means the newest models are at best 30 years old. Given the sheer age and low power efficiency (by 2013 standards), no wonder why there is a lot of talk of finally replacing them.

[Densha]

Here are in the Netherlands we still have quite a lot of EMU's dating from the '60's running around happily while the modern stock is failing. (when there's snow the computer systems crash and when it's hot the air conditioning dies and you can't open the windows)

I wonder if it's like that in Japan too...