JR East Tokyo: Yamanote Line In the heart of Tokyo's bustling urban landscape lies a vital artery that keeps the city's rhythm pulsating: the Yamanote Line. Stretching 34.5 kilometers in a perfect loop around the metropolis, this iconic railway line isn't just a means of transportation, it's a living embodiment of Tokyo's energy, diversity, and modernity. Run by JR’s amazing E235-0 Series. The Yamanote Line is more than just a mode of transit it's a microcosm of Tokyo itself. As trains wind their way through 30 stations, each stop brings with it a unique slice of life. From the upscale neighborhoods of Shibuya and Shinjuku to the cultural hub of Ueno and the tranquil temples of Ikebukuro, the Yamanote Line is a cross-section of Tokyo's many faces. Skyscrapers kiss the sky, cocooning passengers in a canopy of steel and glass, while cozy residential streets reveal glimpses of daily life in the city. The ever-changing scenery outside the train windows mirrors the dynamism within the carriages. But it's not just the passengers that make the Yamanote Line remarkable, it's the sense of unity it fosters. Tokyo's diverse population blends seamlessly within its carriages, forming a collective tapestry of cultures, generations, and backgrounds. The line acts as an equalizer, momentarily connecting individuals from all walks of life in the shared experience of traversing the city's bustling arteries. Beyond its cultural significance, the Yamanote Line is a logistical marvel. It serves as a lifeline for Tokyo's countless residents, whisking them efficiently from one corner of the city to another. Its 30 stations are gateways to both popular landmarks and hidden recipe, allowing passengers to explore the city at their own pace. As the trains run with remarkable punctuality, the line encapsulates the precision and efficiency that Tokyo is renowned for. The Yamanote Line is more than just a railway, it's an embodiment of Tokyo's spirit. It connects people, places, and experiences, creating a vibrant tapestry that reflects the city's heart and soul. Just as blood circulates through veins, the Yamanote Line courses through Tokyo, infusing life into its veins and capturing the very essence of this extraordinary metropolis. For TSW Players, they can experience the best of the Tokyo commuter train system and also understand what it’s like to drive there. The scenery, buildings that surround the line and a whole lot more to explore. It is a brilliant line for players to see and drive. Stats Country and City: Japan, Tokyo Operator: JR East Length: 34.5 km (21.4 miles) Number of tracks: Double tracks Track gauge: 1,067mm (3 ft 6 in) Electrification: 1,500 V DC overhead lines Operating speed: 90 km/h Train Protection System: D-ATC Maximum incline: 3.4% Depot: Tokyo General Rolling Stock Centre (near Ōsaki station) Stations: 30 Rolling Stock: JR E235-0 Series in an 11-car configuration Here’s the list of Yamanote Line stations along with their corresponding numbers: Tokyo (JY1) Kanda (JY2) Akihabara (JY3) Okachimachi (JY4) Ueno (JY5) Uguisudani (JY6) Nippori (JY7) Nishi-Nippori (JY8) Tabata (JY9) Komagome (JY10) Sugamo (JY11) Otsuka (JY12) Ikebukuro (JY13) Mejiro (JY14) Takadanobaba (JY15) Shin-Okubo (JY16) Shinjuku (JY17) Yoyobi (JY18) Harajuku (JY19) Shibuya (JY20) Ebisu (JY21) Meguro (JY22) Gotanda (JY23) Osaki (JY24) Shinagawa (JY25) Takanawa Gateway (JY26) Tamachi (JY27) Hamamatsucho (JY28) Shimbashi (JY29) Yurakucho (JY30) Picture of the route: E235-0 Series The E235-0 Series is a DC Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) commuter train made by J-TREC and introduced in November 2015 operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It replaced the former E231-500 series that run on the Yamanote Line before them. It is designed for suburban and urban commuting in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The E235-0 Series features improved energy efficiency, enhanced passenger comfort, and modern amenities, making it a reliable and efficient choice for daily commuting. The length of each carriage is 20 m (65 ft 7 in) (including couplers, end cars) and 19.5 m (64 ft 0 in) (intermediate cars). The width of the train is 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in) which is wide for a train that runs on 1,067 track gauge. The height is 3.62 m (11 ft 11 in) tall with the floor height from the ground being 1.13 m (3 ft 8 in). The train has 4 doors per side on all carriages. The car-body is made from strong stainless steel too. The traction system for the E235 are either the Toshiba SC105 hybrid SiC-IGBT-VVVF or (MoHa E234-2, E235-3, E234-3) or Mitsubishi SC104 SiC-MOSFET-VVVF (all other MoHa cars) and the traction motors are MT79 totally enclosed fan cooled 3-phase AC induction motors. UIC Classification: 2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′ Total of 50 sets were built for use on the Yamanote Line. Formation As of 17 December 2019, 50 11-car sets (01–50) are based at Tokyo General Rolling Stock Centre and formed with six motored ("M") cars and five non-powered trailer ("T") cars. All but two sets have SaHa E235-4600 cars (Car 10), which are modified from former E231-500 series SaHa E231-4600 cars. On the pre-series set (01), car 3 has one PS33D single-arm pantograph, car 6 has PS33H and PS36A single-arm pantographs (one used as a backup), and car 9 has one PS33H single-arm pantograph. (02-50) Cars 3 and 9 each have one PS33H single-arm pantograph and car 6 has two PS33H single-arm pantographs (one used as a backup). All cars have an accessible/priority "free space". Car 4 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car. Pictures of the train: Interior Passenger accommodation consists of longitudinal bench seating throughout, with an individual seat width of 460 mm (18.1 in) per person, compared to 450 mm (17.7 in) for the earlier E231-500 series. Priority seating is provided at both ends of each car (except in end cars), and a space for wheelchairs or strollers is provided at one end of each car. LED Lighting is used throughout the carriages. The initial plan was for paper advertisements inside the cars to be completely abolished, replaced by 18 LCD colour advertising screens in each car,but following feedback from advertising companies and users, the first train to enter service will include traditional paper advertisements in addition to the LCD screens. The full-production sets (02 onward) incorporate a number of design changes. Whereas in the pre-series set 01, the luggage rack height was generally 1,678 mm (5 ft 6.1 in) with a height of 1,628 mm (5 ft 4.1 in) in the end cars and in priority seating areas, this is standardized as 1,628 mm (5 ft 4.1 in) throughout from set 02 onward. The handrails next to seats in the full-production sets have an embossed surface compared with the polished metal surface used in the pre-series set. Crew room (Cab) It is a non-penetrating structure, and it is a so-called high driver's structure such as the E231 suburban type and the E233 series (excluding the 2000 series), but in order to make it easy for the conductor to check the rear, the height of the equipment is 1,410 mm, which corresponds to the eye line height of 150 cm. For this reason, the angle of the display devices of the cab equipment was changed from 65 degrees to 50 degrees, which is compatible with the driver's equipment visibility. The equipment on the assistant seat side has been reduced from 1,005mm to 870mm in height of the E233 series, ensuring the visibility of children from the guest room. The allocation of the crew room is basically the same as the E233 series, but by spreading the front glass to the bottom left and right, it is compatible with a flat front design. SaHa E235-500/-4600 series cars The car 10 position on the E235-0 series trains has a slightly different door spacing, to more closely align with the driver cab of 10-car Keihin-Tōhoku trains, which sometimes have to share platforms with Yamanote Line trains during track maintenance. In 48 of the 50 sets, car 10 is a SaHa E235-4600 series car, and externally appear different from the other cars. These cars were originally built in 2010–2011 as SaHa E231-4600 series cars (and were built to E233 series standards), and were modified to E235 specifications when the E231-500 series was withdrawn from the Yamanote Line. The remaining two sets, sets 4 and 5, have a new build SaHa E235-500 series car in the car 10 position, in order to allow for a more reasonable 90-day timeframe for modification works on the remaining cars (as it would have been difficult to perform the modifications in 45 days). The car on the right is a SaHa E235-4600 series car, modified from a SaHa E231-4600 series car. The rain gutter on the right car is of an older design and protrudes from the side of the car, unlike the one of the left. Conclusion That’s all you need to know about the E235 series and also the whole Yamanote Line route in total. So are you up for the spirit? Hope you do!
Bring it on to the game and if one has JR West Kansai Region Kyoto trains or Nagoya JR Central you might see them end up subbing there when needed.
