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Back from three weeks in Kanto and Kansai. Just a number of notes I made of the railway scene, opinions fully my own, of course. Toyoko Line- heaps more interesting with the run-throughs via the Fukutoshin Line. Has opened up more railfanning opportunities in the western regions of Tokyo and Saitama w/better access for someone based in Yokohama, like me. I have long lamented the demise of the Tokyu 8000 series on Tokyu Lines rails, but I have found an acceptable substitute- the Tobu 9000 series, which can be seen on the Toyoko Line thanks to the run-through ops. A contemporary (a wee later, actually) in design era with the 8000/8500's (1981), and thanks to that I can hear that sublime chopper whine once again on Toyoko Line rails, AGI (as God intended). And like the 8000 series, or 8500's for that matter, a spot in a motor car will give you a nice symphony of traction motor roar when running in notch 4. Almost enough to make you forget the vulgar GTO or characterless IGBT traction. At Tsunashima station. Blur your vision a bit, and you can almost believe it's an 8000 series moving out: