Keisei Derailment 2022 - what we know so far?

京成線、隣の電車が脱線してたけどあと少し手前に来てたら巻き添え食らってたかも… pic.twitter.com/VQswlpkyFC

— ガセッティ (@gasettist) November 17, 2022

At 10:21 am on Thursday 17 November, a train derailed at a depot near Keisei-Takasago station in the east of Tokyo. According to a document issued by Keisei, the derailed train was empty coaching stock that was supposed to terminate at the very depot (i.e. no passenger onboard). It blocked tracks of Keisei Main Line and Hokuso Line for more than ten hours, and thus resulted in part suspension of service that lasted until 8:49 pm. Nobody injured according to the Police Agency.

Skyliner approaching Keisei-Takasago station

Keisei-Takasago is a hub station, as there is a depot nearby and Hokuso Line branches off. All Skyliner services that connect Narita Airport and Ueno, and major commuter trains to and from Ueno and Toei Asakusa Line (underground) run. All of these services have been cancelled due to the derailment, and the accident severely affected not only local residents but also businesspeople and tourists (including those from abroad).

ジャッキ外れて車両が落ちたよ😨
みんな怪我無くてよかった。#京成線 #高砂 #脱線 pic.twitter.com/lA1glqWwpl

— J (@beikoku_tanmou) November 17, 2022

It took longer than initially expected to resume services, as workers struggled to reinstate the train to the track. As the video shows, even jacking the train up was not always easy for them. The train was stored eight hours after the derailment, and now awaiting investigation conducted by both the company and the authorities.

The train derailed exactly at a point (or "railroad switch" in American English). According to mass media (such as TBS News), the driver reversed the train without authorisation as the train entered to a wrong track. If this description is correct, it is possible that the driver also overlooked a signal, as points and signals are generally interconnected.

Needless to say, train reversal without authorisation is a material breach of rules. He should have reported the mistake to the control room before going back. If the train had been on further, the train could have completely blocked mainline tracks and thus caused a major crash with other passenger services, or hit a person or a vehicle at a level crossing nearby. The investigation is still at an early stage, but it is highly likely that the driver involved will face a punishment if not criminal.

Keisei 3700 series

The derailed train was unit No. 3788 of Keisei 3700 series, which was registered for mainline use on 1 March 1996. The unit will certainly be taken out of service and stored for months whilst investigation is carried out. Since it is nearly 27 years old (and thus not new at all), and the crucial front carriage was severely damaged, it is not certain whether the company will repair the train and reinstate it to services or send them for scrap.

50-year-old train in the capital

50 years have passed since introduction of London Underground 1972 stock. It entered service on 26 June 1972, and still used on Bakerloo line today. It is now the oldest rolling stock in the country except heritage trains, and Transport for London conceded that their replacement would be in the late-2030s or even in the 40s. There might be mixed views on the stock: some people (mostly railway enthusiasts) love this traditional design dating back to the 1960s, while others (commuters) mourn a bumpy ride and a lack of air-conditioning.

Is there any train for regular service that has been in use for more than 50 years in Tokyo? Yes, it is Tobu 8000 series. It entered service on 1 November 1963, so nearly 60 years have passed since introduction. They were mostly withdrawn from major commuter lines by the 2010s, but there are a few units formed of two coaches on small branch lines in Tokyo, namely Tobu Daishi and Kameido lines. More fleets are used in nearby prefectures like Chiba and Saitama, and they are likely to remain in service for several more years.

There were several more trains until a few years ago such as JNR 115 series (1963-2015), Tokyo Metro 6000 series (1968-2018) and Keikyu 1000 series (1959-2010), but currently Tobu 8000 series is the only one.

There is one more type that will certainly be 50 years old soon: Keisei 3500 series. The 3500 series was first introduced in 1972, and the very first fleet, which was registered on 26 December 1972, is still operational. Since their retirement is not imminent, they will certainly become 50 years old later this year.

Many foreign tourists describe trains in Japan always-shiny, but there are a few old-fashioned trains. Not a few daily users dislike out-of-date rolling stock with weak air conditioning and no information monitor above doors, though some railway enthusiasts like those trains.