[PRCo] Re: Gas Prices--Japanese trains
Schneider Fred
fwschneider at comcast.net
Fri Jan 2 22:23:14 EST 2009
Muchos Gracias
Vielen Dank
Merci Beaucoup
Thank you very much
I am overwhelmed.
It will take me a while to read through all of this and digest it.
On Jan 2, 2009, at 9:56 PM, Bill Robb wrote:
> I'd probably ask somebody who belongs to the Japan Rail Modelers of
> Washington, DC if they be the tour guide. There is a good section
> on the trains of Japan. I'm in contact with one of the members a
> couple of times a week.
>
> http://www.japanrailmodelers.org/
>
> http://www.japanrailmodelers.org/pages/trains.html
>
> What's to see?
>
> I'd start with the 14 streetcar lines/systems which range from
> single lines to 9 lines and the several light interurbans. I'd ride
> many JR lines, of course, including Shinkansen and limited express
> lines. As many of the major private railway interurban lines as
> possible, too. But there is so much to see.
>
> As one of my videos says, there is a mind blogging array of
> electric railroading apart from the national JR system, larger
> systems boasting limited expresses with names like Skyliner, Rapit,
> Asagiri, EXE Express, Spacia and other trains boasting Panorama,
> Romance and Vista cars, there is a museum line which offers
> regular service, line with heavy mountain grades, switch backs,
> there are carriers of freight, street running interurbans and
> trams galore.
>
> You will find modern technology like automated stop announcements
> on streetcars and interurbans, electronic fare payable indicators
> on lines with stage fares, fare boxes that calculate fares and give
> change, air conditioned streetcars and interurbans with growling
> gears, hand controllers and brake handles.
>
> Japanese tradition and religious beliefs in thrift keep much old
> running gear around even when new bodies are built. Street traffic
> is restricted to 24 mph, the same speed as conventional traction.
> A typical side street the older sections of Tokyo or Osaka is seen
> in the link below. There are places in Japan where streetcars and
> interubans run on busy streets without sidewalks.
>
> http://www.panoramio.com/photo/14916379
>
> Some of the jewels of the recent past have vanished. The Kambara
> Railway held on with its 1926 vintage EMUs until 1999, the side of
> the road suburban streetcar line and the interurban line at Gifu
> closed in stages between 1999 and 2005 despite new equipment and
> the 1920s vintage interurban cars on the Kotoden were retired in
> the summer of 2007 when replaced by air conditioned cars 1950s
> vintage cars from Tokyo.
>
> What will you see?
>
> Single track lines with passing sidings like Manyosen. (These not
> the best videos quality wise, but there isn't much on Manyosen.)
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTXcuBFQsTs&feature=channel_page
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBRwzx0tlhQ&feature=channel_page
>
> The 30 inch gauge (762mm) Kintetsu Utsube and Sangi Railway Hokusei
> commuter lines
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintetsu_Utsube_Line
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangi_Railway_Hokusei_Line
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qjXpoBXPgs&translated=1
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghlmIQEn4n8&NR=1
>
> Shunting is rare on freight lines today. Most freight moves in
> small containers that are off loaded with front end loaders. But
> there is shunting on the Gakunan Tetsudo, a short interurban,
> using a 1928 steeple cab.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDoWj0EicyE
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Rmcni3tZA
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUfGPYDeIKg&feature=related
>
> The Oigawa Railway is a museum line catering to railway enthutiasts
> while serving a small local population with regular service.
> Vintage EMUs are preserved and steam trains run 300 days a year on
> the Oigawa Railway. JR also operates steam trains on a regular basis.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLTZ8qRGVjc
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NktPExl0LY&feature=related
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8McnDadtLY&feature=related
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m28qP3esqc
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ__dxVY8UM
>
>
> The Toska Denki Tetsudo has a side of road streetcar line and
> single track stretches with passing sidings.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/hiromori2/317840179/in/
> set-72157594144781695/
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/hiromori2/317850341/in/
> set-72157594144781695/
>
> The vintage cars on the Hankai Tramway in Osaka. The first video
> is from New Year's Day when virtually every car is out on the 2-3
> lines. Incidentally, streetcar junctions with crossovers are rare
> in Japan.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wOovvRY06g
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHBuVq0IB8E&feature=related
>
> Hiroshima has 39 vintage cars in daily service along with many new
> LRVs on 9 lines with several multi track terminals.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrsZx-wIO_E
>
> http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?55329
>
> http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?55335
>
> The triple double track main lines of the Hankyu Railway
> interurbans heading from Juso Station to Umeda Station in Osaka.
> The Hankyu system was modeled on the Pacific Electric.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCIhQ_RkjPA
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPP6QfU8OlY
>
> If you go to Kyoto you can ride the Y shaped Keifuku Denki Tetsudo,
> part streetcar, part interurban. It has street running with safety
> islands, private right of way with high platform stations and
> several covered stations.
>
> http://www.japanrailmodelers.org/photos/L_KyotoSuburbs/pages/
> page_11.html
>
> http://www.japanrailmodelers.org/photos/L_KyotoSuburbs/pages/
> page_14.html
>
> http://www.japanrailmodelers.org/photos/L_KyotoSuburbs/pages/
> page_20.html
>
> http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?55379
>
> You can return from Kyoto on the Keihan Denki Tetsudo (Keihan
> Electric Railway) which has a four track section in Osaka somewhat
> reimscent of Chicago's North Side el. There is frequent express
> service, some cars even having TV screens.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6Fvf32J-v4
>
> Other Japanese interurbans have various deluxe limited express trains.
>
> The Odakyu Railway's Romancecars started the trend in 1957.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTsyf3Ljhsk&feature=related
>
> Odakyu Railway's VSE 50000 Express
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y65S6H22WU
>
> Odakyu's EXE Express
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eELAKxlyIO4
>
> Tobu operates the Spacia
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUafX59WC_E&feature=related
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayj26vpPjVo&feature=related
>
> Seibu Railway has Red Arrow Express.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpQpjP3U7HE&feature=related
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1cCUe1Fruw&feature=related
>
>
> Nankai wanted a unique train for their airport trains. They got it
> with the Rap:t.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA-9dalPJP0
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXI3TnTwQfw&feature=related
>
> There are several interesting light interurbans in various parts of
> Japan
>
> In Kobe, the Keihan Keishin line and Sakamoto lines operate as
> Street Metro under special license.
>
> http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?55397
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6vaWVc2ww8
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKL2y2juEz0
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAT3ELbOVk8
>
> The Fukui Railway a few years ago operated vintage high floor cars
> is now operated LRVs including some low floor cars.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyGutUmPg7M
>
> A Japanese language page with photos of the old Fukui Railway.
> Virtually all students in Japan travel to school by railway
> company. This another rare railway with street loading stops (by
> special license).
>
> http://www.ne.jp/asahi/tetsudo/miyata/local/repo/fukui/page01.html
>
> http://www.ne.jp/asahi/tetsudo/miyata/local/repo/fukui/page02.html
>
> http://www.ne.jp/asahi/tetsudo/miyata/local/repo/fukui/page04.html
>
> The Hakone Tozan is a mountain climbing interurban, near Tokyo,
> with switch backs.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzzPI3pvsiE
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkDSX2T0PvA
>
> Close by, also south of Tokyo, is the Enoshima Electric Railway,
> aka Enoden, which is a single track interurban railway running on
> 12 minute headways along a single track line with two car trains in
> very tight quarters, along the ocean and single track in the middle
> of the street.
>
> http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?55263
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3CYXYzwMPA
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wljAd6V9Kac
>
> There's lots to see in Tokyo.
>
> This is the Keisei Electric Railway (the route most visitors take
> from Narita Airport to Tokyo) crossing JR East's ten track section
> near Nippori Station.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XWnBtGwX1Y
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lPxEVAcbW8&NR=1
>
> The train on the elevated in this video is the Keisei Skyliner,
> whichs links Narita with Ueno in Tokyo.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6SOWb6G31I
>
> The Tokyu Setagaya line in Tokyo using LRVs.
>
> http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?55503
>
> http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?55501
>
> And there are the elevated JR commuter lines in Tokyo like the
> Yamanote line.
>
> http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?94953
>
> http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?94954
>
> http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?94948
>
> There are several junctions on JR where you find JR trains, private
> railway trains and subway trains running on the same lines.
>
> Nippori Station
>
> http://tekkenweb.sakura.ne.jp/tokyorail/trrailfan/trfjr7.html
>
> Tokyo Station
>
> http://tekkenweb.sakura.ne.jp/tokyorail/trrailfan/trfjr1.html
>
> Shin-banba Station where you will find 16 types of EMUs
>
> http://tekkenweb.sakura.ne.jp/tokyorail/trrailfan/trfps1.html
>
>
> Japan still has sleeper trains known as Blue Trains, as of now, but
> there days are numbered. As the high speed Shinkansen lines reach
> further across the country, sleeper trains are slowly loosing their
> market.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UblFCzXaXUI
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-HyKNKgej0
>
> Just too much to see in one trip! Hope I haven't forgotten
> anything. I'll get there someday soon.
>
> Bill
>
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> ________________________________
>
> Fred Schneider wrote:
> The only people I know personally who are living today and who have
> photographed JNR are Russ Jackson and Bill Middleton. The first two
> are in railway equipment engineering. Russ designed the SEPTA K-
> cars and the P&W replacement cars. Bill Middleton was in the navy
> and was assigned there for several years; he is now past 80. I had
> one other friend, Bill Janssen who was the resident inspector for
> SEPTA in the Kawasaki plant when the K-cars were being built; he died
> two years ago.
>
> It's on my list of places to go. I'll let you make me a list of
> places to go and things to see once you've done it. Or maybe when
> you go, you might want to be the tour guide????????????
>
>
>
> On Dec 29, 2008, at 9:31 PM, Bill Robb wrote:
>
>> This is just a small part, but an important part of the JR system.
>> The
>> news story doesn't say anything about JR East's Tokyo commuter lines
>> which I assume ran without problems. There were storm related
>> problems
>> in other parts of Japan yesterday. But this also is the beginning of
>> the New Year's Holiday in Japan. Its like the days immediately
>> before
>> or after the American Thanksgiving. All intercity lines are swollen
>> with traffic. In fact December 29th might be the busiest day of the
>> year.
>> I haven't been to Japan, I was hoping to go this year, but
>> with the economy it won't happen this year. You Tube and the internet
>> probably brought about this interest. I subscribe to 79 You Tube
>> channels currently. Each day I have a proof sheet like page of new
>> videos so I can see what's going on. I can read news stories,
>> translate
>> web pages with machine translators and follow car lines with online
>> maps like Google Maps. Over the weekend I traced each of the Hankai
>> Electric Tramway routes on Google Maps.
>>
>> The culture is almost completely different and I am as hooked on
>> the culture as the streetcars and interurbans.
>>
>> The
>> railfan culture is amazing. Trains estimated this summer that there
>> are 7 times as many railfans in Japan. Railways run commemorative
>> runs
>> when equipment is retired. Sometimes there might be 10-15 runs if
>> necessary over a couple of months. There are all kinds of models,
>> magazines, and videos. It is so main stream. Model trains are sold
>> in department stores, resturants are built around train layouts.
>> Most
>> of the railways have at least one weekend a year when their shops are
>> open to the general public, usually through a lottery because
>> everyone
>> cannot be accommodated. Just amazing.
>>
>> Anytime I want to hear growling gears or the chugging of steam, I
>> can hear it live on You Tube and usually farily recent.
>>
>> I'll get there some day.
>>
>> Bill
>>
>>
>> Fred Schneider wrote:
>>
>> Amtrak's nationwide average is 76,000 a day (base on equal patronage
>> every day of the week). They hoped to have 126,000 on the day
>> before Thanksgiving this year.
>>
>> And this story talks about a three out delay in Japan at the start of
>> the day today which delayed 137,000 passengers, 80% more than Amtrak
>> moves in an entire day! Wow! If Amtrak had not spun off all the
>> clockers in the Northeast Corridor to SEPTA and New Jersey Transit,
>> the USA total for a day might be in the range of the number delayed
>> on one line in Japan in three hours.
>>
>> Bill, have you even been in Japan? How did you come by this
>> interest?
>>
>> Fred
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
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