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Mind definitely boggled.
Ah, it's not quite as insane as it sounds: "This seal got its name from its appearance; it resembles a piece of rope or an oil lamp wick. But the rope seal is far from a simple piece of cord. The material was engineered to withstand the high RPM of the crankshaft while rubbing against it during extreme temperature swings."
(that's from Hemmings Motor News)
What glorious shades of green. As beautiful as California landscapes can be, you won't find those greens here; so bright, looking like "illuminated" green shades. It also looks very humid, which makes for a rich soil. Beautiful pictures, including those of the awesome coupe. For some reason, some pics make my BRG look similar to a Kingfisher Blue car, even when one paint is metallic and the other one's not.
Thanks for the comments. Humidity is certainly something we don't lack over here (weather app says it's currently 87%, though it will drop down to 70% later. Then again, LA is currently 67%).
Interestingly, I've thought my Kingfisher Blue car can look dark green, almost BRG, at night. It changes with how bright it is, definitely.
Instead of starting another thread, since I went to the same place (Kurikara) after all, I thought I might add some pics from this year. I don't think the leaves are as dramatic this year, but I still found some nice ones. These were all taken with my Canon 100mm f/2.8L macro lens, which is the sharpest lens I own and one of the sharpest out there. I was very happy with the quality of photos, even before a spot of mild processing.
Tateyama seen from Kurikara
Tateyama Range with the new Hokuriku Shinkansen line visible running through the rice paddies.
You mentioned the Shinkansen... My ears and eyes popped all of a sudden Most awesome rail system on the planet. Question, you being an insider, does the first generation Bullet still make special appearances? I know it isn't the fastest anymore at only 200 kph (for non-metrics: 125 mph) but it is in the list of the most iconic trains out there. Like the Bigboy and Warbonnet diesels of the late 50ies in the States, the Flying Scotsman and Mallard in Britain, the TGV in France, the ICE in Germany and all overfilled trains in India (when you think Indian train you think people hanging on the outside and on the roof).
I really really really want a picture of the original Bullet train shooting over a bridge passing the rice fields with Mount Fuji in the background. THAT is Japan for me, as someone who has never been there YET
Daim- no, unfortunately the old 0 Series was withdrawn from service in 2008. It's in a few museums around the place, but none riding the rails. You won't ever get that shot of the classic bullet train speeding past Fuji. Nor will anyone, these days, unless for some reason JR East pulls an 0 Series out of retirement for commemorative runs during the Olympics (as the line was first opened just in time for the 1964 Olympics).
The Shinkansen is pretty impressive, though one major gripe is that, unlike every other high speed rail I've used, you have no idea how fast it's going. The LED strips above the doors show ads for JR products, news, and upcoming stations, but not the bloody speed! I was very impressed with the Italian Frecciarossa: ugly on the outside, sure, but inside the displays (like small TVs from the ceiling) not only show you your speed, but exactly where you are. The Chinese HSR network is impressive too, though of course a lot newer. They show your speed, and if you take the fastest trains, they stop a lot less - only one stop between Beijing and Shanghai, for example. But the scenery isn't very impressive. Barely even any hills, let alone iconic mountains like Fuji.
I love the Big Boy. Not the most beautiful or elegant steam engine out there, its sheer size makes it impressive.
Daim- no, unfortunately the old 0 Series was withdrawn from service in 2008. It's in a few museums around the place, but none riding the rails. You won't ever get that shot of the classic bullet train speeding past Fuji. Nor will anyone, these days, unless for some reason JR East pulls an 0 Series out of retirement for commemorative runs during the Olympics (as the line was first opened just in time for the 1964 Olympics).
The Shinkansen is pretty impressive, though one major gripe is that, unlike every other high speed rail I've used, you have no idea how fast it's going. The LED strips above the doors show ads for JR products, news, and upcoming stations, but not the bloody speed! I was very impressed with the Italian Frecciarossa: ugly on the outside, sure, but inside the displays (like small TVs from the ceiling) not only show you your speed, but exactly where you are. The Chinese HSR network is impressive too, though of course a lot newer. They show your speed, and if you take the fastest trains, they stop a lot less - only one stop between Beijing and Shanghai, for example. But the scenery isn't very impressive. Barely even any hills, let alone iconic mountains like Fuji.
I love the Big Boy. Not the most beautiful or elegant steam engine out there, its sheer size makes it impressive.
Real shame. The 0 Series just looks so right. As if you cut the wings off of a plane and put the fuselage on bogies. Those long nosed models like today seem very modern and sleek but lack the personality of the 0 Series.
Then again, more and more trains are like that.
I'm a train nerd and have a favorite locomotive being the German BR110/E10 'Bügelfalte'. It looks like it has a crease one time over from front to back. A sleek design with some awesome sounds... 60 years later it is STILL in service here. One of the most reliable trains to ever run the German rails.
The ones I hate are the ones that look like duck bills, the 700 Series.
The 100 Series is pretty cool, a sort of sharpened 0 Series, and the 300 Series had a pretty stylish front, but the 500 Series looked really fast, with a really long, long nose. Only rode it once.
This is a bugelfart? Sorry, Bügelfalte...?
I have a soft spot for the old Japanese 485 bonnet series:
Yep, that's the Bügelfalte. Bügelfalte means 'Ironed Crease' Reliable and slowly being replaced with unreliable Siemens/Bombardier crap.
The 100 series seems like a design evolution as compared to the 'revolutions' of the N700 and co. Though that bonnet style train reminds me of a Dutch train... The ICM I think it was called. Though there is a Japanese Version more like it.
A cool thing about Japanese EMUs is the glass driver cabin. Where passengers can look out to the front of the train. An awesome idea. I know the ICE 3 here (Siemens whatever, also used in China on their HS rail network) has that but only in 1st class...
I really need to do some more train tours. The night trains in Japan are supposed to be really good too. Might be the best way to travel from metropole to metropole...
Windows at the front of the EMU so you can look out past the driver are most common in commuter trains. It's pretty cool standing there watching the tracks roll by.
I've never taken a night train in Japan--they're becoming less popular, and are in fact generally more expensive than a hotel night plus train anyway. I took a night train from Venice to Vienna once, as it was really the only sensible way to get there without paying insane airfares, and got about an hour's sleep, perhaps. Still, it beat an overnight flight. At least I could lie down. And the food was pretty decent too (we followed it up with some Venetian tiramisu, which might be one reason I found it hard to sleep...).
If you get to Japan, you might be interested in this cool one. I've never actually taken it myself, even though it leaves from my local station.... Nanao Line Tourist Train HANAYOME NOREN | JR-WEST
I've never taken a night train in Japan--they're becoming less popular, and are in fact generally more expensive than a hotel night plus train anyway. I took a night train from Venice to Vienna once, as it was really the only sensible way to get there without paying insane airfares, and got about an hour's sleep, perhaps.
I've done The Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver. It's 3 days/4 nights on the train and it was one of the most relaxing trips I have ever done. I recall being west of Winnipeg somewhere and thinking "Is today Wednesday or Thursday?" Then I thought it doesn't matter what day it is, my biggest decision of the day is which of the 4 main dishes do I want for dinner.
The food is all cooked fresh on the train in the dining car, none of it is reheated like airplane food and it was of a very high quality. The cars are 1950's stainless cars originally built for Canadian Pacific, and have now been restored and modernized, but still retain their character.
I think it's one of the great train journeys of the world, but I am biased!
Windows at the front of the EMU so you can look out past the driver are most common in commuter trains. It's pretty cool standing there watching the tracks roll by.
I've never taken a night train in Japan--they're becoming less popular, and are in fact generally more expensive than a hotel night plus train anyway. I took a night train from Venice to Vienna once, as it was really the only sensible way to get there without paying insane airfares, and got about an hour's sleep, perhaps. Still, it beat an overnight flight. At least I could lie down. And the food was pretty decent too (we followed it up with some Venetian tiramisu, which might be one reason I found it hard to sleep...).
If you get to Japan, you might be interested in this cool one. I've never actually taken it myself, even though it leaves from my local station.... Nanao Line Tourist Train HANAYOME NOREN | JR-WEST
That looks interesting. Dunno if it would be something for me though. Looks very "local culture" like. Might be less aiming at a foreign tourist. Maybe more so of a same country tourist... If you know what I mean.
Originally Posted by Jagboi64
I've done The Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver. It's 3 days/4 nights on the train and it was one of the most relaxing trips I have ever done. I recall being west of Winnipeg somewhere and thinking "Is today Wednesday or Thursday?" Then I thought it doesn't matter what day it is, my biggest decision of the day is which of the 4 main dishes do I want for dinner.
The food is all cooked fresh on the train in the dining car, none of it is reheated like airplane food and it was of a very high quality. The cars are 1950's stainless cars originally built for Canadian Pacific, and have now been restored and modernized, but still retain their character.
I think it's one of the great train journeys of the world, but I am biased!
The "Trans Canadian". Awesome train. The Budd Streamliner cars with the "Vista Dome" cars... That is pure 'Murican rail beauty. Would be more awesome, if pulled by an F3 in a pretty "warbonnet" livery.
But that is also on my list. Especially in the winter time but autumn would be great too. Same as the Rocky Mountain "express". I think it went from Chicago to Los Angeles through the Rockys on a scenic track. Takes 3 or 4 days and isn't in a rush. Or the Amtrak Empire Builder etc.
Darn, there are so many awesome ways to see a country, but rail interests me so much more. I'd love to do the Ghan, through Australia or the proper Orient Express... If only I could stop spending my money on cars!
11-21-2016, 02:44 AM
Most awesome rail system on the planet. Question, you being an insider, does the first generation Bullet still make special appearances? I know it isn't the fastest anymore at only 200 kph (for non-metrics: 125 mph) but it is in the list of the most iconic trains out there. Like the Bigboy and Warbonnet diesels of the late 50ies in the States, the Flying Scotsman and Mallard in Britain, the TGV in France, the ICE in Germany and all overfilled trains in India (when you think Indian train you think people hanging on the outside and on the roof).
