Route Info: Founded in 1920 as the Kato Railway, the Nagano Electric Railway is a 3'6" gauge railway line running from Nagano to Yamanochi. The full line opened in 1928, however due to the railway's financial difficulties, the line has shrunk over the last 20 years, losing the line between Shinshu-Nakano and Kijima in 2002, and the section between Yashiro and Suzaka in 2012. With the closing of the section between Yashiro and Suzaka, the railway became isolated from all outside routes. The current route features 24 stations over 33.2km of track, with the section between Nagano and Asahi being the only part of the line the be double tracked. With the last of the rolling stock purpose built for the line being taken out of service in 2017, this railway uses old rolling stock from a variety of other railway companies in Japan, including JR East, Odakyu, Tokyu Corporation, Tokyo Metro, and TRTA. Route Map: Rolling Stock: Nagano Electric Railway 1000 Series "Yukimuri" (Former Odakyu 10000 Series "HiSE") Given to the Nagano Electric Railway free of charge by Odakyu in 2005. Nagano Electric Railway 2100 Series "Snow Monkey" (Former JR East 253 Series) After their withdrawal from Narita Express services, Nagaden aquired 2 sets which began operation in 2011. Nagano Electric Railway 3000 Series (Former Tokyo Metro 03 Series) Introduced in 2020 to replace the old TRTA rolling stock. These originally operated on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, displacing the TRTA 3000 Series EMUs when they were introduced. Nagano Electric Railway 3500 Series (Former TRTA 3000 Series - 2 Coach Variant) Originally introduced to replace the old rolling stock prior to the 1998 Nagano Olympics, the former TRTA 3000 Series sets have been a frequent sight on the Nagano Electric Railway up until the late 2010s, when they started to be withdrawn pending the arrival of the 3000 Series. Most were retired in 2020. 2 remain in operation as of July 2021. Nagano Electric Railway 3600 Series (Former TRTA 3000 Series - 3 Coach Variant) A 3 coach variant of the 3500 Series. All were retired in 2020. Nagano Electric Railway 8500 Series (Former Tokyu 8500 Series) Aquired in 2005, these are used alongside the Tokyo Metro and TRTA rolling stock for local commuter services. Video with tour of 1000 Series cab, cab and passenger ride, and some background info on the railway. (All in Japanese)
