Romancecar
Intro
The Romancecar Roma'nsukā is Odakyu Electric Railway's name for its limited express services south-west of Tokyo, to mountain resorts such as Gotenba and Hakone, and beaches such as Numazu and Enoshima. Service first started in 1957 with 3000 Series trainset, which attained the world speed record at the time (145 km/h) for a narrow gauge trainset. This record gave impetus for the design of the first Shinkansen, the 0 Series.
Name origin
The name comes from romance seats, two-person seats without separating armrests when one-person seats were a norm. Some of the romancecars are equipped with common seats separating armrests. And, other railroad companies also used "Romance Car" or "Romance Seat" (it's a Wasei-eigo word, made in Japan English, about "love seat") for their special accommodated passenger cars. But Odakyu holds the trademark rights of "Romancecar" name.
Service
Odakyu currently operates several Romancecar services:
- Hakone and Super Hakone service between Shinjuku and Hakone Yumoto (on Hakone Tozan Line, terminal station for visiting Hakone mountains and springs).
- Enoshima service between Shinjuku and Katase Enoshima (in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, opposite side from Enoshima Island).
- Asagiri service between Shinjuku and Numazu (as Numazu, Shizuoka, on Central Japan Railway Company Gotenba Line).
- Sagami service between Shinjuku and Odawara Station (in Odawara, Kanagawa), and
- Homeway trains outbound from Shinjuku for Hakone-Yumoto, Katase-Enoshima and Karakida (in Tama New Town area, south-west of Tokyo) after 6 PM.
Trainset Evolution
- Future train Series 60000 MSE expected in service in 2008.
- Series 50000 VSE: Introduced in 2005, the newest and most comfortable Odakyu train, with the driver's compartment elevated over the cabin so as to allow front-row passengers a full view of the railway ahead. VSE trains are primarily used for Super Hakone service, and have cabin attendants who bring food, drinks, and on-board shopping to each passenger's seat during the 80-minute run to Hakone. Seats 358 people, white color.
- Series 30000 EXE: Introduced in 1996, these currently operate most Romancecar services. Most are equipped with vending machines on board, and some also have cabin attendants. They are boxy and brown in color.
- Series 20000 RSE: Introduced in 1992, are mainly used for Asagiri (resort super express) service to Gotenba, where they alternate with the very similar JR Central Type 371. They are the only Odakyu trains with first-class seating, these located in "semi-compartments" on the upper deck of two bi-level cars in the center of each train. It is the first in the series to break from the traditional "wine red" color, being baby blue in color.
- Series 10000 HiSE, introduced in 1988, like its predecessor, 7000 LSE, these two types are very closely related, and were once the top grade of Romancecar service, but with larger seats than the 7000. Like the VSE, the driver's compartment is elevated so that passengers at the front of the train have an unimpeded 180 degree view of the scenery. These trains are currently used for Hakone service, plying the same route as the VSE but stopping more often: the trip to Hakone takes about 90 minutes. Cabin attendants are available for food and drink service, except in the evening.
- Series 7000 LSE, first entered service in 1980, it has a 180 degree front view of scenery, it was retired on February 2006. It also has seating for 464 people with 11 cars, identical to 3100 in this respect. It was manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
- Series 3100 NSE, a taller upgraded version of the 3000 Series, was used from 1963-1999, which gave the Romancecar its distinctive look, and was the longest Romancecar in common service. The Nagoya Railroad panoramacar (パノラマカー) design was fashioned on the 3100 Series. The 11 car trainset could seat 464 people, and had a fastest speed of 170 km/h.
- Series 3000 SSE pioneering rapid rail trains were introduced in 1957, commonly used until 1968, one was used until 1991. They set the world speed record for narrow gauge track in September 1957 at 145 km/h, and were an inspiration for the world's first high speed rail, Shinkansen. They have since earned Japan's Blue Ribbon award. The 8 car trains could seat 354 people.
