I am impressed by the way the driver(s) point to signals, speed signs, warning signs, etc..........this is a physical acknowledgement of "I see it". This is a basic and absolutely essential requirement of Japan's train drivers/engineers.
In the UK we encourage commentary driving, to talk to yourself - it has the same effect as pointing, it's engaging a different part of the brain and is shown to have a dramatic effect on retaining information. I wouldn't say any method is objectively better, they are both effective. Unfortunately for us we're using a modified Victorian system designed by dozens of separate companies whereas Japan's entire commuter network was built in the latter half of the 20th centaury as a single cohesive transport system.
In Hong Kong, the driver has one button to press. After the door closes, the driver presses the button to go. The train drives itself to the next station automatically. So like 90% of the drivers are using their phones/reading books/clipping toenails(true) while driving. It's good that the system is highly automated but I'm not sure if that's good or not.
Such a perfect, precise system. These are drivers who really care. They care about their passengers, who expect to be in a given place at a given time. They care about their work, take pride in it, and perform their duties with pinpoint accuracy. Other countries should take note of this. Imagine living in a country where a train is never more than a few *seconds* late, and every station is completely free of litter and graffiti. I absolutely adore Japan, and I've always, always wanted to live there.
When we crossed the gate to explore the station area of Amarume waiting for a connecting train this June, the station manager personally stopped us and pointed towards a folio size blackboard with dozens of beautifully handwritten kanji on it. Understanding our failure to understand, he then went to get a nineties cartridge-style pocket translator that just worked. It reminded me of how the one we had at home when I was a kid had always been low on batteries. The manager translated „delay“, pointed at the device, then at the only number on the blackboard, „54“. That was approximately half an hour before our traiń’s scheduled departure time. It then turned out to depart precisely 54 minutes late. Never did we experience the much sung dedication of the Japanese in a more impressive way than when something did for once not work as planned.
Japan's system is very good but train delays are caused by bad train flow management and/or bad (train/track/weather/etc) conditions. A better driver won't make the train arrive earlier.
I agree with you. I also like it when cleanliness prevails and respect governs public life. But a question always crops up in my mind when I use such megacities as Tokyo, for example: Does technology serve humans or is it the other way around? The human being as part of a big machine which without its endless energy supply also makes its components meaningless.
I love these kinds of videos though. They're like an escape from the dull realities of the real World. Which says a lot because this guy's job isn't the most exciting one to watch. But there's something about solitude of man and machine that appeals to me. 2:16:06 such dedication
There is something wonderfully kind and respectful about the act of wearing white gloves whilst driving a train. The white gloves symbolize the total care and dedication to safety each train's driver has toward the literally hundreds, if not thousands, of lives he/she is responsible for on board the train she/he is in charge of. These white gloves are a most touching sight to me. The same thought applies to EVERYONE ELSE involved in the safe operation of these beautiful Japanese trains - the workers who inspect, repair and maintain the trains themselves, and the many more who keep the track, switches and signal control systems functioning at such a high level. I think of ALL of these workers as I enjoy traveling by video on these trains! Superb teamwork at every level.
Показывать пальцем - это правило, чтобы не терять бдительности, не уснуть. Пейзажи местами красивые, вдоль моря когда. А так, очень много техносферы кругом, очень непривычно.
@@fdama Compared to most other countries german trains are very reliable, fast and punctual. But in terms of punctuality and reliability Japan is completely on another level.
I enjoyed this video. Unfortunatly I do not speak Japanese. I wonder what al these public announcements were. It seems as she was repeating the same list everytime, but I could not hear any station name. Or was this a special touristtrain and was she given tourist information? At 1:55:00 at Ito station 2 new traindrives got on. I guess one was a trainee driver and the other the teacher? First the teacher drove, than they changed. And it seems that the one standing behind the drive is giving instructions? I hope I will be able to come to Japan one day and enjoy the country and its great trains!
eh unfortunately train simulators suck absolute donkey ass, scenery is never expansive enough, never enough routes, there should be full norway, or sweden, or japan, with as much detail as possible since physics is so minimal, yet everyone offloads simulation on CPU and you end up with laggy garbage, there isnt even a good arcade train sim
@@botelhopintomelorego6739 At that scene, they doing that behavior to check the signal and confirm in certain. This confirming is very crucial to operate the train in safety and on time.
I guess somebody else put already to you the same question: what is the engineer from time to time, while conducting the train, indicating with his right hand index finger? Is it a form of showing that he is fine or awake or what else? Thanks for the nice pictures of your so far away country Greetings from Alpine Italy -Alptransit,
He is pointing to signs and signals that he has to adhere to. It shows that he actually saw the signals and also increases his awareness. That way he is less likely to overlook one, since pointing requires more concious thought than just looking. It's required of all train drivers in Japan.
He is pointing at signals and other signs along the track. If we could hear him he is also at the same time speaking all those things aloud. Apparently it helps keep driver aware of the signals and remembering them after he passes them as at the same time he is not only visually remembering but he does vocal and physical action too.
Every reply here is spot on. The driver is using a system called 'See It, Say It, Do It'. It is very widely used across Japan and helps to ensure accuracy and precision.
If you watch all the way through, the conductor crews change at Ito Station (伊東駅) and two conductors enter the cabin. They bow to the passengers (I always liked that) and then take over. The shisa kanko they employ is much more aggressive than the first driver, because they almost shout their parts. The driver on the right is apparently being trained, as initially his only job is to point out the light signals (“shingo!”). He eventually takes the driver’s seat and then does everything while his mentor stands behind him. I assume this is a different train company because it is a different line and they are no longer using the same graphics as they did prior to Ito Station. I’ve been on many regional trains in Japan but never have I seen train conductors this enthusiastic with the shisa kanko.
The section from Tōkyō to Itō is JR East (the driver would have probably been from the Tamachi Driving Department 田町運転区, the conductors are most likely from Tōkyō Conductor Department 東京車掌区). The section from Itō to Izukyū-shimoda is owned by Izukyu Corporation (all crews therein report to its sole Izu-kōgen Transportation Department 伊豆高原運輸区). For the record, what they call out isn't "shingō" (信号, signal), but "shinkō" (進行, proceed). For example, around 2:00:00, the call-out for the signal is 閉塞進行 (heisoku shinkō - block [signal], proceed).
Да, по-английски называется "Pointing and Calling". Считается, что мозг лучше осознаёт обстановку, если зрительное восприятие сигнала сопровождается жестом и произнесением. В Штатах это сейчас тоже внедряют.
@@alblgz Значит и в России внедрят, у нас же любят все у иностранцев слизывать. У нас вон на работе внедрили японскую систему кайдзен. Это полный поездец, до маразма дошедший. Представляю, ждёшь электричку, подъезжает она, а там в кабине локомотивная бригада жестикулирует усердно, пальцами тыча в разные стороны))))
My only criticism of this video is that it isn't clear where we are. I appreciate this is my fault in that I don't know Japanese, but for most of us who appreciate Japan, and particularly through cab rides of this kind, it is rather important. Can anyone help here please?
@29:09 there is a tiny siding on the right hand side of the tracks that looks like it hasnet been used in a few years, did it used to be the beggining of another line? and in the same section @23:10 theres that cross over that look seldom used linking the line's on the left hand side, to the track the train is traveling on. Whats with that? and thats a place i'd chill for like.... all of life just to see sumthing use them lol
The siding of 29:09 is temporary evacuation space for train track maintenance vehicles. Not garage or base of them. That is the cause of very short distance. And next is about 23:10. This place was freight yard before. Here is google map's location 35.570605, 139.664663 This structure part is for not to disturb freight train tracks and passenger trains each other. And also each directions. In 1987, Japan National Railways JNR was privatized. And this freight yard discontinued at the same time. Only for the junction is still on going. This video's train running on The HInkaku Line.The exclusive use for freight train line is The Musashino Freight Line came from east direction underground and merge to The Hinkaku Line. You may see on the google map. Redevelopment project of this place starts at middle of 1990's. And far from nowadays, until WW2 ends, this place was treated as military confidential. So, it was blank area on generally maps in that time. It was secret. I'm very sorry for my bad English skills.
The turnout you reference, seen most closely at the 29:12 mark, and the one the train crosses a couple of seconds later on a track coming from the left, as well as other examples seen in the video, are a design that came about to address the problem of having a heavily used track that has some very seldom used siding tracks. Despite the seldom used side tracks the turnouts connecting them will get a lot of wear and tear due to the heavy main route traffic. Both for the turnout points but particularly for the crossing components (the frog). Movable point frogs (swing nose crossings) are no better since they're expensive, complex and need constant inspection and must be incorporated with the interlocking and signaling systems. A fix some railways in North America use but mostly applied in Japan, and it's not that common even in Japan, is to have the trains using those seldom accessed sidings to cross the frog by running on its wheel flange instead of the wheel tread. The wheel going through the crossing (frog) will be raised by either having the rail supporting it raised or by having a raised floor beneath the flange. In the case of the North American type it uses a raised tread bearing surface on the 'toe' end and a flange bearing surface on the heel end of the frog. (Search engine check for 'jump frog' or 'leap frog'). A check rail on the opposite rail guides the wheels. There is also the use of having the opposite rail raised to help counter the flange bearing wheel, as seen in the video. This is not only because the flange bearing wheel gets raised due to riding on its flange but keep in mind that railway wheels are both coned and fused to their axles. Both right and left wheels turn at the same rate. That and the coning are how trains transverse curves, the flange being a safety feature. That also means that the flange bearing wheel being larger since its riding on its flange creates a strong turning force towards the opposite wheel. But it's done at a slow speed and only for a few meters. These type of turnouts as seen in the video are also altered at the turnout 'points'. Notice that the main route direction doesn't have to negotiate a point rail. There's a point rail for the diverting direction but not for the main track. Just the usual running rail. There's no stock rail for the diverting route. Instead a movable rail stationed on the field side, that is, outside the gauge which overlaps the running rail when engaged and has a ramp ending to raise what will be the inside wheel for the diverting direction. This raises the wheel's flange and can ride over the main line rail. The result of all this is that the main route train traffic creates no excess wear and tear on the track components of this type of turnout. A similar type of system is developed in the US with the name of 'Continuous Mainline Rail Turnout'. Interestingly, similar ideas were implemented back in the 19th century into the 20th century with such systems as the MacPherson & Wharton Safety Switches. A close view of the version used in Japan can be seen here. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LbDmQ93T0xg.html The movable rails activate at the beginning and at the end of the video. What you were seeing at the 23:10 mark are guard rails since the tracks are going over an elevated section. That's a standard safety practice for railways the world over.
