In Tokyo, the Toden is the tram network that was originally part of the Tokyo Bashametsu Railway which opened in 1882.
The horsedrawn tramway operated between Shimbashi and Nihonbashi in 1882 and it was a major success. But while it was a convenience, it also cost a lot of money to raise the horses and with the increase in population and passengers, the company couldn’t expand to meet the needs of a growing population. Also, horse hooves damaged the road surface, dirt and manure filled the streets. A new alternative was needed.
By 1889, a new technology from the US was shown and a demonstration was shown. A new technology for its time, the electric railway was not yet approved. But seeing the positive of having an electric railway, Kyoto Electric Railway utilized it in 1895 and it would quickly spread through the country.
For Tokyo, it was problematic as there were 35 companies which filed patent rights, the competition amongst railway owners was intense and even the government had a problem of trying to decide if it should be private or municipal.
By 1903-1904, the company electrified the line and three companies were born: Tokyo Densha Tetsudo (Tokyo Electric Train Railway), Shinki Kaigyo no Tokyo Shigai Tetsudo (Tokyo Urban Railway) and Tokyo Denki Tetsudo (Tokyo Electric Railway). The three would merge in 1909 form the Tokyo Railway and that company was bought in 1911 and became known as Tokyo Shiden. By 1943, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government came into force and it would be renamed Tokyo Toden.
Before the line became electrified, Tokyo’s form of transportation was the Horsecar. This painting is “Horsecar between Nihonbashi and Kyobashi in Tokyo”.
Unfortunately, the tram network faced issues in the early 1900s as routes and trains have not progressed and waiting time to get on a train was 30 min. to an hour. In fact, because there were so many people needing to ride the train, some people hung outside the train in order to receive transportation.
So, to respond quickly, it was decided to connected two small-sized trains called single cars with three doors and the Tokyo City Electricity Bureau 1653 train was born.
By 1923, new garages, substations and a plan that estimated for the project of Y123 million yen to vitalize the network was in place. But by September 1st, Tokyo would suffer from the Great Kanto Earthquake and Tokyo trams were unable to operate due to power transmission being cut off and the offices of bureau and 779 trains were destroyed in fires due to the earthquake.
This and the inability for trains to sufficiently respond to traffic demands would lead to people seeking other forms of transportation and automobiles would lead to a decreases of passengers.
Now, it is operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation and similar to other tram networks around Japan, not many exist. In fact, in Tokyo, only one tram route remains in service and that’s the Toden Arawawa Line which features the Tokyo Sakura tram.
Operation of the service began back in 1903 (as a horse-drawn railway) but with the increase of automobile traffic, the once bustling network of 41 routes started to see its reduction due to financial restructuring and in 1974, the Toden Arakawa Line is now the only one that exists within the Tokyo Toden network.
By 1978, it became a one-man operation and in 1977, new tramcars were rebuilt from tramcars from the 1950s by Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo and the Toei 7000 Series tramcar was born. And even won the highly coveted Laurel Prize presented by the Japan Railfan Club.
The 7000 series was beloved by those who used it, as each train had its own personality and these trams would continue on for decades, with the 7022 Aoobi being the final of the series to be withdrawn in June 2017.
The final three to be withdrawn were the 7001 known for its red-stripe and were two-man operation, the 7022 with blue stripe for one-man operation, the 7018 with the cream/green color.
But the 7022 “Aoobi” (Blue Stripe) is remembered for being the last one to be withdrawn.
Toei 7000 series tramcar 7022 at Toden-zoshigaya Station in Tokyo on a service to Minowabashi. Photo by DAJF / Wikimedia Commons
While these trains were withdrawn, parts of these trams were utilized for the new tramcars in retro-style liveries as part of the 7700 series (which I will review later).
But today, I want to focus on the 7022 “Aoobi” and its model counterpart, the Modemo NT171 – Tokyo Toden Type 7000 “Renewal car” “7022 Aoobi”. MODEMO is the brand focused on train lines for the company Hasegawa, the well-known plastic model company known for its war planes, cars and figure models.
This is a powered vehicle that has LED lamps on the front and the rear.
The good news about this tram is the important stickers are already applied (thank goodness!). The tram comes with an extendable pantograph, while the train conforms to both KATO and TOMIX tracks flawlessly. As mentioned in previous review, I like the fact that they include these arrow indicators on the bogies to show which direction they should go.
The headmarks for the three 7000 series trains that were withdrawn are featured (so, if you get all three you get extra stickers). Unfortunately, unlike KATO or TOMIX, Modemo headmarks, they are not magnetic or a plastic headmark, but sticker headmarks that must be precisely cut with a blade. Personally, I don’t like that.
Fortunately, windshield wipers are included, unlike other MODEMO trams which you would need to purchase separately and apply yourself, this one is already part of the train (another thank goodness!).
Overall, I have seen this tram in Arakawa in the past and never knew the significance and until I really became interested in Japanese trams, I now regret not having to ride it. But at least I have seen it.
Hasegawa MODEMO makes wonderful vehicles. Granted, unlike their larger competitors which have managed to shrink the motor, Hasegawa motors can be seen inside the vehicle itself. Which may turn people off because the motors are quite big.
But it’s not a detraction for me and the fact the company has focused on trams (they do also release trains) has made me become a fan of Modemo.
And I must emphasize as well, Modemo trains are released and never re-released (unless there was a special wrapping of it). So, if you want it, they recommend getting it now (otherwise, I’ve noticed that you will have to pay more from resellers who charge double or three times the price).
Overall, I recommend the Modemo NT171 – Tokyo Toden Type 7000 “Renewal car” “7022 Aoobi”. It’s a great release, although I wish the headmarks were magnetic or plastic than sticker-based.
