Osaka – May, 2025 « modelrail.otenko

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Osaka – May, 2025

Staying in the usual spot in Shin-Osaka, I ventured to the usual places... plus a few extras! First off, the usual shot from the balcony of the apartment of a now-common double-ended freight train.

They've started running them with banker engines now, thanks to the dip on both sides of the new "ume-kita" platforms at Osaka Station.

Shin-Osaka station was next... and, of-note, was a Haruka service with two different types of vehicles.

Next up, thanks to Osaka Expo, there's a direct shuttle to Sakurajima from Shin-Osaka operated by 323-series sets.

The set above had just finished it's run and was running-around near Higashi-Yodogawa station to come back into Shin-Osaka for the next service. I exited the station to check out the level crossing on the northern side of Shin-Osaka Station. This is only used for freight and the odd dead-head movement.

A service was also running into Ajikawaguchi via the main lines...

But yeah, back to the freight line...

Osaka Higashi Line

Although I'm sad you can't cross the bridge on-foot anymore, I'm happy for the line and being able to travel on it! I got up at sparrows-fart to do a Hard-off tour and that allowed me to see the morning services on the line.

Hilariously, I managed to catch the next train to Hidara Station to see the same freight consist shunting around.

But then... I was off on something new!

Kashiwara Station And Surrounds

There's a hard-off just to the west of Kashiwara Station, and I had gotten there too early... so... instead? Train-spotting!

The Kintetsu Domyoji Line terminates here, so there's a lot of action as the shorter EMUs run in and out in the morning peak. The line runs south across a picturesque bridge before getting buried in the Kintetsu network. Thanks to having a bit of time, I dawdled around, enjoying the morning sunlight.

It was meant to be an un-eventful stroll to the riverside, but was quickly interrupted by a weird 'sloshing' sound coming from one of the canals...

I wonder how often these guys get fed? They were hunnnnnngry!

I was too distracted by the fish to realise there were cool shots behind me...

But anyway, I continued to the river.

Ok yup. This was the right decision.

Kashiwara-Minamiguchi Station is perched above the roadway, right before the river bank.

Perfectly model-able! From there... more wildlife...

And then hard-off... treasure.

Limited Express Mahoroba

There's a new limited express through to Nara from Osaka Station, operating via the Osaka Higashi Line!

That's all... oh, and some freight in the same place...

Oh... and the tea train!

There was also then a test-run afterwards... which I missed. I should've loitered with the other tecchan who wasn't moving!

Osaka Metro Chuo Line 400 Series

This 400-series star-wars-ian EMU has been introduced to take people over to the Expo amongst the man-made islands. Fortunately, at the other end of the line there's a beautiful station before the beautiful mountain range.