Stopgap trains for Chuo Line

Chuo Line (Rapid) is arguably the most important and heavily used commuter rail in Tokyo. It has always been known since the late-1950s for having rolling stock with the latest technologies as they are developed. Today, the short-distance services are mostly provided by 10-car E233 series, and two Green Cars (first class coaches) will be inserted to each unit next year...but there are exceptions.

Those who frequently use Chuo Line may have seen old-fashioned trains. They are 209 series, which have been well-maintained, but they do not appear as clean as the E233 series due to their age. The 209 series have slightly better acceleration than that of the E233 series, but their air-conditioning is not as good as the newer trains and there is no TV-like monitors above each door. Hence, not a few commuters are dissatisfied with them.

The two 10-car 209 series units were initially introduced to Joban Line (Local) and through-service to Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line in 1999. They were replaced with the E233 series in 2018 as the 209 series was not compatible with through-service to Odakyu lines. Most railway enthusiasts believed that they would soon be sent for scrap as they were nearly 20 years old then.

However, both units made a dramatic comeback in the following year. As Chuo Line trains were to be equipped with Green Cars and an accessible toilet, JR East decided to use them as spare units and avoid train shortages while the E233 series on Chuo Line was being converted. A trade union anticipated that the stopgap trains would be operational for five more years.

As the 209 series units are old and very different to the E233 series, they generally run between Tokyo and Takao stations in accordance with fixed schedules. Their work always start from and end at Toyoda station, which is adjacent to a depot they belong. Even when there is a sudden change due to disruptions (which are quite common), robust adjustments are always made to ensure that they terminate at Toyoda station at night, no matter how confusing it may be for both passengers and staff.

Everybody knows that the stopgap trains will be withdrawn by 2025 when all commuter trains on Chuo Line are rearranged from 10 to 12 coaches including Green Cars. However, the trade union revealed that Train Automatic Stop-position Controller, a train protection system and automated stopping aid which 209 series is not compatible with, will be in use "no earlier than September this year". Hence, both 209 series units might retire as early as late-September.

Those who wish to see the 209 series should do so before it is too late. The current fixed schedules for the 209 series are as follows ("M-K" means Musashi-Koganei, bold letters means Chuo Special Rapid services). Note that an ordinary E233 series could run instead when the 209 series is not available due to minor maintenance work.

97T
(Weekdays)

Toyoda (5:44)	→	Tokyo (6:40)
Tokyo (6:46)	→	Takao (7:57)
Takao (8:03)	→	Tokyo (9:19)
Tokyo (9:22)	→	Toyoda (10:22)
Toyoda (15:39)	→	Tokyo (16:42)
Tokyo (16:48)	→	Takao (18:02)
Takao (18:13)	→	Tokyo (19:24)
Tokyo (19:26)	→	Toyoda (20:28)
Toyoda (20:35)	→	Tokyo (21:35)
Tokyo (21:38)	→	Toyoda (22:40)

99T
(Weekdays only)

Toyoda (06:07)	→	Takao (6:18)
Takao (6:26)	→	Tokyo (7:45)
Tokyo (7:47)	→	Takao (8:59)
Takao (9:05)	→	Tokyo (10:23)
Tokyo (10:27)	→	Takao (11:44)
Takao (11:51)	→	Tokyo (12:52)
Tokyo (12:58)	→	Takao (14:14)
Takao (14:23)	→	Tokyo (15:45)
Tokyo (15:51)	→	Takao (16:51)
Takao (17:02)	→	Tokyo (18:06)
Tokyo (18:10)	→	M-K (18:50)
M-K (19:08)	→	Tokyo (19:50)
Tokyo (19:55)	→	Tachikawa (20:50)
Tachikawa (20:57)	→	Tokyo (21:51)
Tokyo (7:47)	→	Takao (8:59)
Tokyo (21:55)	→	Toyoda (22:59)

97T
(Weekends & Holidays)

Toyoda (12:00)	→	Tokyo (13:00)
Tokyo (13:03)	→	Toyoda (14:02)