Still active #3 - 115 series 1000

A 115-1000 series EMU train ready for Matsumoto at Shinano-Oomachi station.

Most Ooito line local train services are now by E127 series, but a few of 115-1000 series are still in charge for some especially trains that get out of Ooito line. When they get in Shinonoi line from Matsumoto, the ATS (Auto Train Stop ) system there in Shinonoi line seems different from the ones in Ooito line, so E127 series can not get out of Ooito line due to their system.

Hayaokidori website

Local train going up Hakuba Sanosaka.

I needed to go to Oomachi city today to get one of my van. I got on a local train and took some clips. This above is at Sanosaka ( Located between Minami-kamishiro and Yanaba ski jo mae ). It's a continuous uphill of 2.5% after the snow shade throughout the Lake Aoki. Must have been tough in the old steam locomotive days.

This below is from Yanaba to Uminokuchi, a continuous downhill. Lake Aoki area is a summit of this valley.


Hayaokidori website

Minami Oomachi station

A tiny station called "Minami Oomachi" located just 1 next of Shinano Oomachi. I know some people say train stations have to be a lot bigger, not like this. But in Japan train stations are often like this especially in countryside.

This is Matsumoto direction.


Shinano Oomachi direction.


Some broad steps. Actually there is a factory of a company at the opposite side of a main route just infront of the station. I guess probably a lot of people commuted there by train before.


400 yen for Kamishiro where we are located.


You have to reach a station enough earlier than the train arrives there in Nagano prefecture because not so many services available here. Otherwise you have to wait for next train for a long time!!

Hayaokidori website

E257 series Azusa running a 2.5% uphill

I heard some noise which told me a train getting close, my fingers changed my degital camera mode into "movie" being unconscious. lol...


The train was pre-running for the 2.5% uphill after passing through Uminokuchi station for Yanaba station. This 2.5% uphill continues for a while curving right then left. So trains can not have so much speed because of the curve but anyway it's an continuous uphill which must be tough for them.

Hayaokidori website

Azusa running along Lake Aoki

E257 series "Azusa". E257 series is not a pendrium train while E351 series is one.

Hayaokidori website

Super Azusa running along Lake Aoki

It's a pendrium train of 8 cars, but as the track there is so curvable, trains can not go fast.

Hayaokidori website