Thursday 31 March 2016

Tobu-Daishi Line: Urban Local Route

EMU Tobu 8000 series (a 2-car train) arrives at Nishi-Arai Station on the Daishi Line 

There are several urban local railway routes in the Tokyo metropolitan area. For instance, JR East Tsurumi Line and Tokyo Metro Ayase Branch Line are typical local urban routes. Keikyu also has local urban railways, such as the Daishi Line, in Kawasaki City.

Do you know another Daishi Line in Tokyo? It is the Tobu-Daishi Line. This route was opened in 1931 to transport visitors to Nishi-Arai Daishi (Souji-ji temple). Connecting Daishimae and Nishi-Arai on the Tobu-Isesaki Line, its route length is only 1.0 km. The track is electrified and single. The whole route is an elevated track. The gauge size is 1,067 mm. The electric system is 1,500 V DC overhead.

A 2-car train, the EMU 8000 series, is operated every 10 minutes without a conductor. The 8000 series was launched in 1963. So far, a total of 712 units have been built by Aluna koki, Nippon sharyo, Kisha seizo, Tokyu sharyo and Fuji Heavy Industries. Specification of the 8000 series is rather old, but a total of 402 units are still operated on the local lines of Tobu Railway.

Daishimae Terminal has a wide platform and a large station building for flocking visitors to Nishi-Arai Daishi (Souji-ji temple). It is usually quiet, as local people only use the station; however, it becomes a busy station in the peak seasons such as New Year and equinoctial weeks, as people worship at the temple.

Tobu-Daishi Line is certainly a urban Local railway.

 
Platform of Daishimae Terminal on the Tobu-Daishi Line