Keisei Skyliner

The new Keisei Skyliner was unveiled last week and its scheduled to go into service in 2010. A preview of the new Skyliner service can be found at this link.

http://www.new-skyliner.jp/

A new Skyliner being delivered along narrow gauge JR lines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoL0HOLiqY0

There are numerous detail photos on this Japanese language web page.

http://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/419/419563/

Hiroshima Electric Railway Route 1

This is a cab ride on Hiroshima Electric Railway route 1 from Hiroshima Port to the Hiroshima JR Station in six parts. I believe the car is 5109. This appears to be uncut, and is long, but in six sections. When the car waits for a traffic light or traffic you wait. The cars are center entrance and front exit, pay exit. It's street running and private right of way. Even when street running the tracks are reserved. Very interesting.

Here is a Hiroden streetcar map and streetcar guide (in English):

http://www.hiroden.co.jp/train/rosenzu/map/english1.pdf

http://www.hiroden.co.jp/train/rosenzu/map/english2.pdf

The cab ride:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc0mzbGJUTw...re=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T409EEiTWDQ...re=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJhn9opUp6A...re=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s0sGPQvoV4...re=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QreBiiVP9j4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_loVSpGMVI

This photo shows a 5100 series LRV.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine--Hankai Electric Tramway at New Years

Each year millions of Japanese visit the shrines and temples at New Year's. This year 99.39 million visited Japanese shrines and temples and over 3 million people visited one shrine in Tokyo alone. These days are amongst the busiest of the year for Japanese railways and tram lines.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/200901...0na012000c.html

First from You Tube, the action with 161 Series 1928-1931 vintage cars. Streets are closed at the junction and every trip is a crush load.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=7wOovvRY06g

The scenes below come from a Japanese blog and were taken on January 3, 2009 at Sumiyoshi on the Hankai Electric Tramway. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is adjacent to the streetcar crossover, a short walk from the Hankai Tramway Sumiyoshi station and the Nankai Main Line Sumiyoshitaisha Station. It appears traffic is restricted to Hankai streetcars only.

A special hand written timetable with the date 1/1,2,3 at the top) was placed beneath the ususal Weekday and Saturday / Sunday timetables.

Usually only one track is used in the Hankai Tramway Sumiyoshi station, but the traffic is so heavy both tracks were in use with cars "double parked" at times.

As many as 8 of the 10 161 series cars were in service at once. Only 161 did not operate and 172 only operated on New Year's Day.

In all there are four pages on this blog about New Year's at Sumiyoshi Shrine. Article one appears to be photos from 30 years ago, the primary topic of this blog.

http://205-161-205.at.webry.info/200901/article_5.html

http://205-161-205.at.webry.info/200901/article_4.html

http://205-161-205.at.webry.info/200901/article_3.html

http://205-161-205.at.webry.info/200901/article_2.html

http://205-161-205.at.webry.info/200901/article_1.html

Apparently there has been all night service on many of the rail lines on New Year's Eve with the Keihan going back as far as 1923. This is unusual as most Japanese rail lines shutdown early.

http://205-161-205.at.webry.info/200812/article_11.html

Generally, I have found I can translate the pages, but the images won't appear on the translated page which is frustrating. Still to understand what and why you can try using Google Translate.

http://translate.google.com/translate_t#

This Google Map will allow you to see the buildings and tracks at the highest level of magnification.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Sumiyoshi%20...sa=N&tab=wl

Female Shinkansen crew to carry pepper spray

Japan is not known for a lot of crime, but this may be a first.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20081116TDY03103.htm

Man scrambles out just before train slams van

People take chances at level crossings all over the world.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/rss/nn20081115a3.html

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20081115TDY02303.htm