Tobu Railway will be carrying out a special painting project to imitate the color of passenger cars at the time, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Tojo Line between Ikebukuro Station and Yorii Station on July 10 (Thu), 2025.
The color of passenger cars pulled by SL
In 1914, the Tojo Railway, the predecessor of the Tojo Line, began commercial operation between Ikebukuro Station and Tamonzawa Station (located between the current Kawagoe-shi Station and Kasumigaseki Station). Aiming to reach “from Tokyo to Joshu (Gunma Prefecture),” which is the origin of the line’s name, the operating section continued to be extended northward, and the entire line was opened on July 10, 1925 with the extension between Ogawamachi Station and Yorii Station after merging with Tobu Railway.
The national government decided to build the Hachiko Line from Yorii Station to Takasaki Station, and although the original plan was revised, the 100th anniversary of the Tojo Railway’s ambition being fulfilled by the connection with it will be celebrated. To commemorate this, one 4-car 8000 type train that mainly runs between Ogawamachi Station and Yorii Station will be repainted in the color of passenger cars towed by steam locomotives 100 years ago.
The last of the “sage cream” painting
Since there are no accurate records from that time, the train will be painted in a single color, “grape color No. 1,” based on an image from literature, and is scheduled to operate for the time being from Sunday, July 13, 2025. On the day of operation, a paid tour is planned to allow you to take photos of the grape-colored 8000-type train with a headmark at the Shinrin Koen Inspection and Maintenance Area (Namekawa Town, Saitama) before its debut, and Club Tourism will start selling tickets from June 13 (Fri).
The 8000 type train that will be painted grape-colored is the “81111 train,” which was repainted in the former sage cream color for the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Tojo Line in 2014, and this old appearance will soon be seen for the last time. Other events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of the entire line on the Tojo Line will include a commemorative stamp rally, the sale of Tojo Line one-day free passes, commemorative tickets, and toy capsules.
