East Japan Railway on Saturday started operating trains decorated with designs of two past Yamanote Line models, ahead of the 100th anniversary of the line's circular operation on Nov. 1.
The two commemorative trains, featuring designs from the 103 and 205 series trains, are scheduled to run until Nov. 3.
The 103 series, with an all-light green exterior, was in operation from 1963 to 1988. The 205 series, the first stainless steel train on the line, was in service until 2005.
On Saturday, the 103 series replica train departed from Osaki Station at around 12:30 p.m., with many rail enthusiasts looking on. Shortly after 1:00 p.m., the 205 series replica train also left the station.
"For the next 100 years, we'd like to make the Yamanote Line even more attractive for our customers," said stationmaster Masami Kitajima, who was present at the train departed.
The Yamanote Line evolved from the Shinagawa-Akabane rail section, which opened in 1885. After the Ueno-Tokyo section was completed in 1925, it became a 34.5-kilometer loop.
Currently, 50 trains operate on the Yamanote Line, running every three to four minutes during rush hour.
The line is used by about 970,000 people everyday. It has 30 stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area, including the key railway hubs of Tokyo, Ueno, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro stations. Trains complete the loop in about an hour.
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