"Old Type Chuo Line Train (201 Series)" - October 2009

A view of an old type Chuo Line train (all orange) leaving Kokubunji Station in October 2009. There are very few of these still on the rails, since they've been fazing them out gradually for about two years now. (I think this is known as the "Series 201".) Notice how there is only one window open, but nearly every window on the train is openable, and also there are vents in the ceiling that can be opened to let in air from the roof of the train. Unfortunately, the new train cars don't have this feature and half of the windows don't open (and the ones that *do* open people seem afraid to open). With the new trains (and their passengers) suffering from "closed box syndrome", I miss the old trains - they provided vastly better air to breathe....

Lyle (Hiroshi) Saxon
http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~LLLtrs/
http://uk.youtube.com/lylehsaxon

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Old
• Chuo
• Line
• Orange
• Train
• Tokyo
• LHS
• October
• 2009

[lylehsaxon]

There are still *some* openable windows, but only about half as before, and no air vents in the ceiling/roof. As for why - I'm not sure, but probably cost? It's cheaper to make windows that don't move. But yeah - the design of this old train is better than the new ones. It also doesn't have those really irritating recorded announcements and the conductor makes live announcements. - LHS

[Dominus357]

Well that sucks. I thought Japanese were smart people. Why'd they remove openable windows like that =/