The Hakubi Line, home to the last scheduled operations of JNR-era electric locomotives, is finally set to see the introduction of the EF210-300 series. This move likely signals the imminent end of the EF64-1000 series' active service.
The weather cleared up just in time before it passed. I’m satisfied, as I managed to get a decent number of shots of the Furano-Biei Norokko-go and Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko-go before their final runs.
I recall seeing it once at Tabata back when I was in kindergarten; it looked magnificent, exuding the dignity of a locomotive dedicated to the "Super Express Rainbow" train. Even after its counterpart, the EF65 1118, was scrapped, it remained in service alone, continuing to captivate railway enthusiasts.
Former JR East DE10-class locomotives have been exported to the Republic of Zambia. In Zambia, these locomotives are operated in multiple-unit formations, evoking the atmosphere of freight trains from days gone by. Interest in Zambia has surged in Japan, and thanks to the efforts of railway enthusiasts, the number of followers on the Japanese Embassy in Zambia’s X (formerly Twitter) account has risen; the embassy itself has even shared updates on the current status of the DE10s in the country. While other Japanese used trains—such as the 205, 8500, and 6000 series in Indonesia, or the 24 series, DD51, KiHa 183, and KiHa 40 series in Thailand—are well-known, these vehicles are cherished in their respective countries and serve as a bridge for interaction between railway fans across nations.
In Japan, popular subjects for photography include trains making their final runs, special event trains, test runs following maintenance (photographers come to capture the pristine condition and the "Test Run" destination display), the delivery of new rolling stock, and chartered group excursion trains. Popular shooting locations are spots where sunlight illuminates the train and the background allows for a beautiful, well-balanced composition; examples include the "Monosaku" section of the Narita Line, the "Isekoma" area on the Ryōmō Line, and the straight stretch at Yoshinari on the Kōtoku Line.
There has been some recent debate regarding the accuracy of Micro Ace’s 719 series and TOMIX’s 9600-type steam locomotive models. For the 719 series, the resting position of the windshield wipers differs between the 5000, 0, and 700 series variants, yet the models depict them all the same way; meanwhile, the 9600-type model is marketed as the "Hokkaido specification" but lacks the vertical piping on the cab that is characteristic of that version. In the past, TOMIX also faced criticism because the mounting position of the train radio antenna on their EF66-27 model was slightly off.
Replicating the hoses significantly changes the vehicle's appearance.
It looks incredibly realistic. It reminds me of the Suita Depot from a while back.
There were no fatalities, but it clearly constitutes attempted murder.
The 721 series F-5102+F-5202 trainset—which I had spent so much time photographing—has now been almost entirely scrapped. I captured images of both its final run and its journey to the factory for dismantling. I still vividly remember the sunny day when a group of about thirty railway photographers coordinated our positions to see it off as it was towed away by a DE10 locomotive.
I have a question about N-gauge modeling. I really like freight trains, so I’ve recently been collecting electric and diesel locomotives. Meanwhile, an acquaintance of mine collects JR commuter trains, limited express cars, Shinkansen, and sleeper trains; another collects steam locomotives and passenger coaches from the JNR era; and yet another focuses on private railway commuter trains and subways. We all buy from different manufacturers—like TOMIX, KATO, Micro Ace, and Greenmax—so I’m curious: what kind of rolling stock do you all collect?
I brought freight trains, while my friend brought Keisei 3200 and 3600 series trains, as well as the KiHa 400 series.
I ran JR Freight locomotives—such as the EH500, EF65, and EF66—as well as the Keisei 3200 and 3600 series, KiHa 400 series, and Keikyu 1000 series.
味噌汁とカップ焼きそばUFOで満足です。
In Japan, the GV-E197 series from JR East comes to mind. Its introduction led to the retirement of many locomotives that had been popular since the Japanese National Railways (JNR) era—such as the EF64, EF65, EF81, DD51, and DE10 series—which were used for special trains, passenger trains, and work-train services (hauling equipment for construction or maintenance). Railway photographers lament the loss of these subjects. Notably, several highly popular locomotives disappeared around the same time, including the EF65-501 ("P-Top"), the EF81-81 (used for the Imperial Train), the EF81-95 ("Rainbow"), and the EF64-1030 ("Shinigami" or "Grim Reaper"). Furthermore, the aging of both the locomotives and the passenger coaches themselves resulted in the retirement of the E26 series "Cassiopeia" sleeper train. Other JR East electric locomotives—such as the EF58-61 (Imperial Train hauler), EF60-19, and EF67-37 ("San-nana")—had already been retired; the complete withdrawal of JR East's electric locomotive fleet caused many enthusiasts to give up the hobby entirely. Additionally, the discontinuation of overnight trains and limited express services on conventional lines has drawn criticism regarding the Shinkansen and other rail operations.
I brought a DD51 locomotive with the 14-series "Hamanasu" express train and a DF200 locomotive with 20 Koki freight cars(3051レ), while my colleague brought a model replicating a DD51 from the Washibetsu Engine Depot, along with Wamu 80000 and Seki 3000 freight wagons.
Another earthquake has struck Kyushu. Rolling stock such as the KiHa 185, 821, and 817 series have also sustained damage.
Whenever I stop by a bookstore, I always check out the railway magazines, but I wonder—what are some famous railway magazines around the world?