Between August 28th and September 1st, I travelled to Okayama Prefecture to ride on and photograph trains.
First, I photographed 381 Series "Yakumo" Express on the Hakubi Line at Okayama Station.
Before I left the Shinkansen, I heard that the Hakubi Line had suspended its service. After leaving the Shinkansen, I found that Hakubi Line restarted its service about 30 minutes behind schedule and waited for the train at platform 3.
At 11:10, 381 Series arrived 35 minutes behind schedule.
A 6-carriage set of 381 Series repainted to in cream-and-red-coloured body, which was the standard colour of express trains in Japan National Railway period before 1987, in 2022.
381 Series is planning to be replaced by the newly-built 273 Series from 2024.
In 2023, 381 Series marked its 50th anniversary since its first service as "Shinano" express between Nagoya Station and Nagano Station. I felt lucky to shoot the train in its anniversary year and before its retirement. Though the train was delayed, my first aim in Okayama was achieved.