Izukyu 2100 series Resort 21

Data (as of 12 Jan 2024)

History

The 2100 series was developed to invite more tourists from Tokyo when ridership of Izu Kyuko Line was gradually declining. Despite being for stopping services, the series has many features like observation cars as if being a train for limited express. There are both transverse and longitudinal seating with one or two sets of doors per carriage, but the longitudinal seating is designed to allow passengers to enjoy "magnificent scenery of the sea", not something like commuter trains.

The series was initially formed of seven coaches, but became eight with "Royal Box" coach (first class) by 1990. The first and second units had traction and motors of disused 100 series, but other three units were built from the ground up. The fifth unit looks very different from the others, and Izukyu named it Alpha Resort 21.

The 2100 series ran Tokyu lines (the parent company of Izukyu) in 1986 and 1988 as a part of commemorating the 20th anniversary of Den-en-toshi Line and as an advert train. Since introduction, the series has been used for stopping services on Izu Kyuko Line (including through-services to Ito Line of Japanese National Railways, later JR East). In peak seasons, they were used for Limited Express Resort Odoriko (Tokyo - Izukyu-shimoda), and the first class "Royal Box" with a planetarium-like feature was said to be particularly popular.

The first and the second units were withdrawn in 2006 and 2009, respectively. The fifth unit remained for Resort Odoriko until 2016, but the service itself was discontinued.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

There are three seven-carriage units. The third unit is painted red and called Izukyu KINME Train, promoting local food (golden eye snapper). The fourth unit is painted black and called Black Ship Train (Kurofune Densha in Japanese), named after Perry Expedition in 1853. Both units are now used for stopping services between Atami and Izukyu-shimoda, including through-services to Ito Line.

The fifth unit (Alpha) was dramatically converted in 2017 and renamed THE ROYAL EXPRESS, and used only for luxurious rail tours. Since 2020, it has also been used for HOKKAIDO CRUISE TRAIN in the northern island hauled by Class DE15 diesel locomotive.

In addition, a "Royal Box" coach for the third unit is stored at a depot.

Photos

The fifth unit (Alpha Resort 21) in the original livery.

The other end was painted blue.