On 20th, the date of the debut of Odakyu 20000 Series, which retired on March, 2012, from the operations as limited express "Romance Car", as the new Mt.Fuji Express on Fuji Kyuko Line was announced.
July 12th
, and be renamed 8000 Series
.
It is shortened to three carriages, which consists of a limited-seating observation carriage toward Mt. Fuji and two non-reserved seat carriages, from the original seven carriages including two double deckers and its new body colour is based on white and many cartoon Mt. Fujis like 2000 Series.
20000 Series debuted in 1991 for the limited express "Asagiri" from Shinjuku to Numazu on JR Gotenba Line, whose speculation and interior are similar to 371 Series for the same service. The double decker carriages with first-class seats like those of JR's "Green Car" were coupled instead of the front observation seats under the driver's cab as the previous models for the operations toward Hakone.
Passing two and quarter years since the retirement, although the double decker carriages were uncoupled, it may be a bright news for the railfans to see Odakyu 20000 Series running again. As "Asagiri" express it had run at the southern foot of Mt. Fuji, but this time it would be running at the northern. I would like to pay attention to and see the scene of the train against the different side of the mountain.
By the transfer of it, three types of rolling stocks used to come to Shinjuku Station gather on Fuji Kyuko Line. Keio 5000 Series and JR East 205 Series on Yamanote Line still be in service.