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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...

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