As there are only three days to say goodbye to the year 2024, I would like to look back this year with my four favourite photos I took, as I did a year ago.
The first quarter
381 series Yakumo running between Kurosaka and Neu stations in Tottori Prefecture. The 381 series is a type of electric train for limited express developed by Japanese National Railways 50 years ago, and it was the last such train for regular intercity services in the country. As the series was due to retire, JR West restored some units to liveries that were used to be. All Yakumo trains were replaced with 273 series by June except very few during high seasons.
The second quarter
Yamaman 1000 series approaching Yūkarigaoka station in Chiba Prefecture. Yamaman is one of the least known railways in the Greater Tokyo Area, 22 miles east of Tokyo. This 42-year-old train is known for the only rolling stock in the Area with no air-conditioning (excluding preserved trains). There were disposable wet towels and paper fans on the train, but they were not enough when the mercury hit 37 degrees with significant humidity.
The third quarter
Class EF81 locomotive in Kumamoto Prefecture. No. 303 is the only one with unpainted stainless-steel body and thus called the Gingama (lit. "silver loco") by railway enthusiasts. It was hit by a lorry at a level crossing less than 24 hours after I took this photo, but fortunately it was repaired and reinstated a few weeks ago.
The fourth quarter
Fujikyu 1000 series, former Keio 5000 series. It had mostly been inactive since the pandemic, but reinstated this month as it retired in mid-December. The unit had been restored to Keio's original livery so that it was popular among railway enthusiasts in Tokyo.
The year 2024 ends soon. I would like to thank everyone who visited this blog and my website. I wish everyone have a wonderful new year which begins within four days.
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