I WIN!!!!!! Also, I have to note-the type of Romancecar that you rode (without reservation, oops) was the EXE (the EXE Alpha, to be precise-just imagine the Latin character instead of being written out in English), which is one of only two types NOT to have front view panorama seats. The other is the MSE-which is the blue train that passed you at Hon-Atsugi. The EXE came out in the 1990s, as part of a pivot towards a more commuter-oriented traffic. But this was not particularly well-received, and the next generation went back to having panoramas. The EXE got a major refurbishment a few years ago, hence the EXE Alpha. The MSE came out in the late 2000s. It also doesn't have panorama windows, but for a good reason. It was designed to be able to operate through services onto the Tokyo Metro! In order to comply with the safety regulations on the Metro, it had to have end doors for emergency exit. This is what prevented it from having panorama windows.
I forgot to mention: Odakyu owns the Hakone Tozan, which in turn owns the funicular and the cable car (and hence the shuttle bus). Not sure about the local bus at the end, or the one you skipped at the beginning. Odakyu does have a network of local buses, but I can't remember if those two routes are part of their network.
Great video Andy! Hope there's more videos to come!
Hopefully with you in at least one!
I WIN!!!!!!
Also, I have to note-the type of Romancecar that you rode (without reservation, oops) was the EXE (the EXE Alpha, to be precise-just imagine the Latin character instead of being written out in English), which is one of only two types NOT to have front view panorama seats. The other is the MSE-which is the blue train that passed you at Hon-Atsugi.
The EXE came out in the 1990s, as part of a pivot towards a more commuter-oriented traffic. But this was not particularly well-received, and the next generation went back to having panoramas. The EXE got a major refurbishment a few years ago, hence the EXE Alpha.
The MSE came out in the late 2000s. It also doesn't have panorama windows, but for a good reason. It was designed to be able to operate through services onto the Tokyo Metro! In order to comply with the safety regulations on the Metro, it had to have end doors for emergency exit. This is what prevented it from having panorama windows.
Very cool! Thank you for sharing your knowledge! There is always so much to learn about trains in Japan!
aaaah, rooomance🤣
What can I say I love the trains!
I forgot to mention: Odakyu owns the Hakone Tozan, which in turn owns the funicular and the cable car (and hence the shuttle bus). Not sure about the local bus at the end, or the one you skipped at the beginning. Odakyu does have a network of local buses, but I can't remember if those two routes are part of their network.