Diary of a rail fan in Kansai,Japan(Ver.2)

About world's rail news, general news, my train pictures, and travel diary)

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List of my travel diary My train photoes The other contents

Why do they compete for the highest?

Jeddah Tower: What does the world's next tallest skyscraper look like now?
https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/jeddah-tower-saudi-arabia-new/index.html

Surely, extremely high skyscrapers can be a token of economic strength.
But, when it comes to live or use the tower on daily basis, it would be inconvenient to wait for elevators.
For example in Japan, residents in skyscrapers lament the time required to get to ground floor, because many residents rush to the elevator in the morning.
I guess extremely high skyscrapers are meaningless without enough elevators, except for tourist attraction.

Sotetsu 20000 series train began service today

Ahead of the passenger operation, an introduction event of Sotetsu 20000 series train was held yesterday.
I went to Sagami-Ohtsuka, the venue of the event.

IMG_5914
IMG_5914 posted by (C)gozami
Promoting Mascot "Sonyan", the combined word of Sotetsu and Nyan(Meow in Japanse), was standing in front of the train

IMG_5923
IMG_5923 posted by (C)gozami
Also on train

IMG_5926
IMG_5926 posted by (C)gozami
Wifi is also available

IMG_5927
IMG_5927 posted by (C)gozami
Signage in Japanese, English ,and Chinese

IMG_5928
IMG_5928 posted by (C)gozami
Signage in Japanese English, and Korean

IMG_5935
IMG_5935 posted by (C)gozami
Buttons to open the door

IMG_5942
IMG_5942 posted by (C)gozami
Route map on the screen

IMG_5951
IMG_5951 posted by (C)gozami
Caution says "Do not ride on this ATS(Automatic Train Stopping system)"

Sotetsu 20000 series in Sagami-Ohtsuka.Sta, Yamato, Kanagawa, Japan /Feb 10, 2018
The entire train

Why will the Eurostar run through Amsterdam without launching border inspection?

www.railwaygazette.com

In order to extend Eurostar service to Amsterdam from Brussels, it will be necessary to launch Eurostar dedicated platforms in Rotterdam Centraal, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Amsterdam Centraal to enable border check before proceeding to the platforms.
But, according to the article, Eurostar trains are scheduled to run earlier than provision for border inspection in those 3 stations.
So, passengers going to London from Amsterdam or Rotterdam will have to change trains at Brussels to go through border check.
Actually, it seems to be the same as current situation that passengers take Thalys from Amsterdam or Rotterdam to Brussels and change trains to Eurostar.
I think Eurostar should begin extensive operation after preparation of border inspection systems.

特急ライラック英語、中国語放送スクリプト(On-train announcement of "Lilac"Limited Express)

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard "Lilac"Limited Express bound for Asahikawa.
We will be stopping at Iwamizawa, Bibai, Sunagawa, Takikawa, Fukagawa, and Asahikawa terminal.
Passengers with reserved seats, please check your car and seat numbers against those printed on your Limited Express tickets and reservation tickets.
And, sit in the assigned seats.
Passengers holding a Japan Rail Pass or Hokkaido Rail Pass but without seat reservations for this train
Please use the car with non-reserved seats. Seats cannot be reserved, once you are on board the train.
Cars 3,4,5, and 6 are for passengers without seat reservations.
Restrooms are available in Cars 1, 4 ,and 6. A conductor's room is in car 2.
This is a non-smoking train. Please refrain from smoking.
If you use a mobile phone, please go to the end sections near the doors.
To avoid causing any attitude annoyance to other passengers, please refrain from engaging in loud conversations on board the train.
We wish you a pleasant journey.
Thank you.

各位旅客您好,
本次列车是特急「Lilac」号开往旭川站。
停车站是岩见泽、美呗、砂川、泷川、深川、终点是旭川站。
使用指定席特急票的旅客,请对号入座。
使用日本铁路通票,和北海道铁路周游券而没有兑换指定席车票的旅客,请利用自由席。
在车厢内,不能指定座位。
自由席是后面的四节车厢。
本次列车是禁烟列车。
使用手机通话时,请前往车厢中间的连接通道
为了不打扰其他旅客,在车内交谈时,请放低你的音量 (I don't know why It will become "帮你避免一下")。
祝您旅途愉快,谢谢您。

Why are they fleeing from Holocaust history?

Poland's Holocaust law should terrify you
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/06/opinions/poland-holocaust-denial-opinion-ghitis/index.html

The most important thing is not finding out who was responsible for the massacre and blaming them, but conveying tragic history to younger generations in order not to repeat the same history.
Polish decision seems to be afraid of the former movement. Nazi victims would also have to pay attention to horror of being treated as Nazi supporters.

Why don't you enjoy discounted bullet train?

www.railwaygazette.com

Around the world, one of the common weak points about bullet trains is expensive fare.
When we compare it with that of toll road, long distnace bus, or budget air careers, it usually costs us more expensive than them.
So, decision by Spain's Eva seems to try to solve the problem directly.
But, the article refers nothing to how RENFE achieved to serve with lower fare. I'm interested in that.

Why did the stock price plunge?

Stock markets plunge after huge Dow drop
https://edition.cnn.com/videos/cnnmoney/2018/02/06/dow-plunges-stock-market-christine-romans-newday-sot.cnn

The plummeting stocks are attributed to US federal reserve's announcement of raising interest rate.
By adjustment of interest rate, the central bank trys to manage stock markets appropriately. So, plummeting stock price at this time is ordinary movement.

But, some people want to attribute it to presidents or prime ministers.
In Japan, plunging stock price was attributed to misleading of PM Abe by con-Abe advocators. (When stock price skyrocketed, it was also attributed to success of PM Abe by pro-Abe activists)

Usually, stock price has nothing to do with what a nation's leader does.