Japan Railway Journal - Season 7 / Year 2021

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way people live and work. While many people are now working from home, many others are still commuting to work. Because of this, several companies have begun working on solutions to reduce crowding during rush hours. Keio Corporation and Tobu Railway have both begun working on reservation systems, while JR East has developed an app to check train congestion. Train companies are also considering changing fares during peak and off-peak times to ensure passenger safety and peace of mind in these challenging times.

Moka Railway, which runs between Shimodate Station in Ibaraki Prefecture and Motegi Station in Tochigi Prefecture, began operating their tourist train, a Class C12 steam locomotive, in 1994, and opened the museum for retired steam engines in 2013. However, the cost to inspect and maintain the loco and facilities is expensive. Join us as we take a closer look at Moka Railway. See what they are doing to survive these difficult times and the challenges of preserving steam locomotives.

Across Japan, NHK has been covering a wide range of railway-related news. Join us as we take a look at the news from January to June 2021. See the efforts and ideas implemented by railway companies to survive the pandemic, the introduction of new trains, and some old trains we had to say farewell to, with news-related special guest appearances.

The Japan Railfan Club, established in 1953 with more than 3,000 members, awards its Blue Ribbon Prize and Laurel Prize to remarkable vehicles that began service the previous year. Of the 16 new vehicles nominated in 2021, Kintetsu Railway's limited express HINOTORI received the Blue Ribbon Prize, while JR East's SAPHIR ODORIKO and JR Central's N700S Shinkansen were awarded the Laurel Prize. Join us and selection committee member Sakato Kota as we take a closer look at the recipients.

In April 2021, Odakyu Electric Railway opened its Romancecar Museum. The museum features 5 generations of Romancecars, including the 3000 SE series, which set the world record for the fastest narrow-gauge speed (145km/h) in 1957 (a significant step toward developing the first Series 0 Shinkansen). Join us as we look at the highlights of the new museum and how Romancecars laid the foundation for Japan's limited express trains.

In Nagano Prefecture, third-sector Shinano Railway came up with a unique strategy to replace their old trains. Investing half of received funds, they gave the remaining half back to their supporters, offering rides on their tourist train, etc. By May 2021, the company reached its 30-million-yen target. See how Shinano Railway utilized this one-of-a-kind strategy to purchase new trains.

Currently, many places in Japan are utilizing discontinued railways such as tracks and station buildings to revitalize their local community. Visitors can enjoy trekking along a discontinued line or riding a preserved train on the remaining track. Join us as we take a deeper look at a section of Noto Railway's discontinued line in Ishikawa Prefecture transformed into a contemporary art festival - Oku-Noto Triennale 2020+ and a fun rail bicycle experience.

Third-sector Asa Coast Railway, which runs between Tokushima and Kochi Prefectures in the Shikoku region, has introduced what may be the world's first dual-mode vehicle (DMV) in an effort to revitalize the region and attract tourists. The DMV can run on both tracks and roads, making transportation in the area more convenient. See how the DMV works, as well as local efforts that lead to its introduction.

The JR companies have been working on ways to use the shinkansen to provide freight services to compensate for lost passenger revenue. JR East, in particular, began experimenting with the Tohoku Shinkansen in 2017 before expanding to include the Joetsu, Hokuriku and Yamagata Shinkansen. Now, the Tohoku Shinkansen is being used to transport freshly caught seafood to a restaurant in Tokyo. See JR East's plans for its shinkansen and conventional express trains post pandemic.

Kominato Railway is a 39.1km rural railway that operates in Chiba, the prefecture next to Tokyo. Unfortunately, damage caused by a typhoon in 2019 and the subsequent pandemic caused sales revenue to drop significantly. Now, the railway is working on ways to get back on track, including the operation of the Satoyama Trolley Train (a sightseeing train that runs through scenic valleys), old diesel trains manufactured more than 40 years ago, and a collaboration with a local art festival to attract tourists. See the strategies the company has implemented using wisdom and ingenuity to attract visitors.