There is a prototype for everything

[Densha]

Maybe an idea for a topic for random strange, typical things you can find on the Japanese railways?

 

 

To start with, Meitetsu Monkey Park Monorail line station on top of the Meitetsu Inuyama Line platforms of Inuyama-Yūen station. (that's a mouthful)
 


Monorail line wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_Park_Monorail_Line
Inuyama-Yūen Station: http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/犬山遊園駅

Some more pics of Inuyama-Yūen station: http://www.agui.net/met/metsta-inuyamayuuen-11-20.html

Edited November 14, 2014 by Densha

[Mudkip Orange]

Interesting. That appears to be a bogies-under-the-seats (e.g. Seattle) design rather than the bogies-under-the-floor design that Hitachi later standardized on.

 

I wonder what became of the trains...

[bikkuri bahn]

_{One portion of a unit is kept at the park preserved.  Another single driving unit is kept at an onsen facility in Gifu pref., displayed in the parking lot. This blog has pics, including an interesting one of the bogie layout:}

_{http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/tyaoyama/54373253.html}

Edited November 15, 2014 by bikkuri bahn

[Densha]

Continuing with "there's a prototype for that", Kizukuri station in Tsugaru city has an interesting station building:

 

 

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/11/15/giant-statue-built-into-station-in-northern-japan-is-historical-terrifying-and-awesome/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kizukuri_Station

[cteno4]

Now that is just toooo cooool. Total awesome sauce!

 

Thanks,

 

Jeff

[ozman2009]

"Total awesome sauce". Sauce?

[cteno4]

Bob pierce of bttrains (Japanese model train exporter), who passed away a couple of years back introduced me to the term awesome sauce form his then 5 year old son (who loves trains). Seemed like such an emphatic 5 year old comment, "that's awesome sauce!" and had never heard that one before.

 

Being only an 11 year old with the heart of a 5 year old myself it spoke to me and I reserve it for those things that would make a 5 year old light up like seeing a building facade like this. Unfortunately, I've now seen it used in tv commercials so no longer as clean! Still like it though as whenever I use it I can just picture his 5 year saying it with that emphatic 5 year old glee!

 

Jeff

[ozman2009]

I'd never heard the expression before, and as far as I know it's not used in Australia. It sounds to me like a just about perfect way of describing that sense of combined admiration, amazement and wonder that one so rarely encounters these days. At least, not in the First World anyway. Thanks   :)

[cteno4]

That's what's great about 5 year olds they can spot that stuff straightaway all over the place in everyday life and properly label it with "awesome sauce" and a smile!

 

Jeff

[marknewton]

I can confirm that phrase has made it to Australia. My son Harry is eight, and he uses it just as Jeff describes! :)

 

When he does he makes me laugh as well so I reckon it's a good thing, unlike some grumpy old bastards I know.

 

And yeah, that station building is awesome!

 

All the best,

 

Mark.

Edited November 17, 2014 by marknewton

[railsquid]

Spilled some white paint on the cab of your yellow 103 series? No worries...

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 22, 2018 by railsquid