Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Nine years ago today…A freight train hauled by Class EF66 was heading from Tokyo towards Osaka. The loco no. 27 was highly popular among railway enthusiasts as it retained its original livery. It retired in 2022, 49 years after introduction. 020
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Good news: Typhoon Surigae is moving away after causing little damage to the region. Bad news: Another typhoon, Choi-wan, is approaching and likely to hit the Greater Tokyo Area next week. 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 30/09/2026TIL there was a restaurant in Japan called ロペスピエール until quite recently. What a bold name, almost revolutionary. Customers there must have been shivering with terror. 011
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 28/09/2026I am a railway enthusiast, but I am not ridiculously bold or pathetically ignorant enough to say "wow, look at how extensive the Japanese railway network was in the past!" or things like that. 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 28/09/2026I am a Japanese railway enthusiast writing in English, but I am not interested in casual and superficial stuff like "how to ride the Yamanote line" or "how to buy a Shinkansen ticket". I am a train nerd who focuses on detailed, often too-specific topics. My travelogues are no exception. 030
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 26/09/2026I have had trouble with posting scheduled toots due to recurring "Mastodon Platform API error" since earlier this week. I have therefore decided to suspend the "x years ago today" series for the time being. Not sure if I can restart it anytime soon. 100
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 24/09/202612 years ago today…This is what "guerrilla rainstorm" in Japan means. Nobody would believe it was sunny 30 minutes before and 20 minutes after I took this photo! 010
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Another new clock, dark one this time. Alas, what a waste of money! 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Just started using a new laptop, and I have decided to use it in English. Microsoft's Japanese is not as bad as Apple's, but probably it is better to have English Windows here too. But regardless of language, Windows 11 itself remains utter s*it. I knew it. 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Damn, the Uchibo Line has been devastated again along with other part of Chiba Prefecture, and it might not reopen by the end of this year. 110
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 22/09/2026The rapid development of AI really discourages me from writing about train travel in English. No matter how hard I try, my English will never be perfect or natural. And even if I post an article, it will immediately be stolen by AI, and thus very few people will actually read my work. 120
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Although Yokohama wasn't the worst affected area, the damage caused by Typhoon Dujuan yesterday was pretty severe in some places. 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Decided to try Povo as I am fed up with Docomo. 100
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Three years ago today…Nambu Line E127 series in Kawasaki. It is hard to believe that there is a railway in such a large city with only two coaches running just once or twice an hour. 020
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 17/09/2026After upgrading to Mac OS 27, the TextEdit app started to suggest me a title of an unsaved file, which is incredibly annoying. I do not require any help from AI (Aggravating Irritation) unless I asked to do so by myself. 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Since JR East announced in late August that the Suica cards with the penguin are for sale whilst stocks last, I bought one today at a local station before they are sold out. 140
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 10/09/2026A year ago today…On the day I was about to return home, the entire tube was closed. I am used to industrial action, but I had never seen such a large-scale closure that lasted for a week. Thankfully, the Elizabeth Line was still operational, and thus I could go to Heathrow with little trouble. 010
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 08/09/2026I can imagine the chaos at JR stations, especially back in Yokohama. I am sure most JR staff there have never seen them before. 120
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 05/09/2026My journey on the Oito Line (another railway that is on the verge of closure) begins 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Seven years ago today…Great Orme Railway, a tram-like funicular opened in 1902. I visited Llandudno, a town in northern Wales, and found this lovely old train. It was my first trip to Wales, and I really enjoyed it. 041
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Typhoon Krovanh must have had tonnes of alcohol and yet wanting more 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 01/09/2026🔷The Red List of Trains in Japan🔷 has been updated with a new article. However, I removed Kintetsu's commuter trains from the list, as I've given up following their extremely complicated numbering and operations. For instance, I cannot distinguish these four different types. 021
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Nearly 3 years have passed since I signed up for Bluesky, but it now seems to be in the beta phase indefinitely. In addition, I have had little interaction with others, far less than anticipated. I therefore have decided to suspend this account on 31 Dec 2026 and concentrate on Mastodon thereafter. 130
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 01/09/2026The "twitter.now" project may sound interesting, but I do not think I will use the "new Twitter", as I do not appreciate the moderation policy with a Gemini-based fact-checking system. 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 31/08/2026🚧Planned Engineering Work🚧 On Sat 5 Sep, the Yokosuka Line between Tokyo and Shinagawa will be closed. Some Narita Express services will not run on the previous and following days as well. The Keihin-Tohoku, Yamanote and Tokaido Lines are expected to be busier than usual. www.jreast.co.jp/yok... 042
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 28/08/2026A diesel train (empty coaching stock) derailed in Hokkaido yesterday after it was hit by a landslide triggered by heavy rain. No injuries reported, but the Muroran Line between Oshamambe and Toya has been blocked since then. www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/CM/Info/pres...jrhokkaido.co.jp 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Signed up for W Social, but found that they require my passport to verify that I am a real person. I do not understand why they compel users to submit such sensitive data despite its HQ being in the EU where privacy is valued. I cannot trust them, and thus immediately gave up using it. 010
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Seven years ago today…Class 325 at Apsley. The red train had been in use only for a mail train for nearly 30 years. Mail trains in Japan were discontinued in 1986, so the Royal Mail train was something I was eager to catch. Sadly, it was discontinued and replaced by lorries in 2024. 011
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Kyushu Shinkansen will reopen on 18 September, while the Kagoshima Main Line remains closed until mid-October, showing how devastating the earthquake was. Even after that, there will be reduced services at slower speed than usual. 062
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Lol two passengers hopped onto a train terminating here at Machida, which turned to be "not in service", but the guard shut the doors despite clearly knowing that something wrong happened. The train left the station. If I report it to the company, he will surely be reprimanded, though I won't do so. 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 25/08/2026"Lake America", another renaming by our beloved President, followed by "Gulf of America". I am wondering when to import an atlas from the United States, which could be called "The Great Empire of America" or something by the end of the year. 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Helped an elderly lady from Taiwan who was struggling with complicated Tokyu trains. Her Japanese wasn't great, so we used a mixture of Japanese, her dodgy English and my extremely broken Chinese. A bit tired but quite fun. Hope she can get to the destination without any more trouble. 010
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 23/08/2026The worst weekend of summer 2026: - Fireworks festival cancelled just 30 minutes before it was supposed to start due to a sudden torrential downpour. - One of my camera lenses broke after my bag got completely soaked. - Awakened by an earthquake at 2 am UN-FOR-GIVABLE!!! 010
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 22/08/2026Good morning to those who got their sleep interrupted 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 21/08/2026The three old units marked their final services today. Farewell, the egg-shaped trains! 052
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 21/08/2026It is getting increasingly difficult these days to identify the types of Sotetsu's rolling stock. 042
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 20/08/2026A CDP politician whose social media account was full of posts about violence against women and welfare, found to be a fake AI character created by a CDP member. www.asahi.com/sp/articles/... I always wonder why Japanese opposition parties are so good at undermining democracy and rule of law.asahi.com立憲の女性政治家かたり投稿、党員がAIで作成か 県連は「困惑」:朝日新聞立憲民主党の架空の女性政治家をかたってX(旧ツイッター)で選挙や政治活動の投稿が繰り返され、党本部などが困惑している。アカウントの開設者は立憲民主党栃木県連の党員とみられ、プロフィルや投稿の画像は生… 010
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Seven years ago today…Chiltern Railways Mk3 coaches approaching South Ruislip. The Chiltern Main Line connects Marylebone and Birmingham Snow Hill, which is yet to be electrified. I was astonished to learn that there is still a major railway in the capital with no electric trains. 042
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Four maintenance workers are in critical condition after they were hit by a limited express train on the Tobu Nikko Line whilst weeding. www.asahi.com/sp/articles/... Yikes. I have not seen such a serious incident for years.asahi.com東武日光線で特急列車と接触 作業員4人が意識不明の重体 栃木:朝日新聞20日午前10時45分ごろ、東武日光線・新鹿沼駅(栃木県鹿沼市)の1番ホーム上り線の軌道敷内で、作業員4人が特急列車と接触したと110番通報があった。県警鹿沼署によると、4人は意識不明の重体で、病院… 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Seven years ago today…The steam locomotive 61306 Mayflower approaching Vauxhall. The steam train called The Royal Windsor Steam Express and ran from Waterloo to Windsor every Tuesday in summer 2019. This is the best steam train photo I have ever taken so far. 030
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Visited Rikuzen Takata, where 1,757 people (7.2% of the population) were killed by the earthquake and tsunami in 2011. The entire city centre has been relocated to higher ground since then, but some ruins, including this former hostel building and a pine tree, have been preserved as memorials. 010
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 07/08/2026Kominato Railway in Chiba Prefecture, where diesel trains built in the 1960s and 70s are still in service, has urged passengers to take extra precautions against heat because trains' old AC struggle to cope with scorching temperatures. www.kominato.co.jp/ 020
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 07/08/2026Tokyo Metro revises its timetables on 19 Sep. During the daytime, Ginza Line trains will run every 3 minutes and Marunouchi Line trains will run every 4 minutes. They will run as frequently as before the COVID-19 pandemic, and hopefully this will ease congestion. www.tokyometro.jp/news/2026/22...tokyometro.jp2026年9月ダイヤ改正 銀座線と丸ノ内線を大増発!~日中時間帯 銀座線3分間隔、丸ノ内線4分間隔で運転~|東京メトロ東京メトロのニュースリリースをご紹介します。 010
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 06/08/202613 years ago today…I took Moonlight Echigo, a night train between Shinjuku and Niigata. Unlike sleeper trains, this service was classified as a "rapid train", so only 510 yen was needed in addition to a regular fare ticket. The journey took about 5 hours, arriving at Niigata at 4:51 in the morning. 010
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Using an extremely cheap (10p) shopping bag as a decoration - something that you would not normally see 010
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 06/08/2026LOL - Cambridge professor Jason Arday resigns amid accusations of plagiarism www.theguardian.com/education/20...theguardian.com 100
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 03/08/2026I know very little about the geography of South Korea, but 42.5 degrees in Yangsan city does not sound right at all. A Korean friend of mine told me ten years ago that they seldom used AC in Seoul. I guess these two cities aren't close to each other, but the new temperature record is still massive. 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 02/08/2026As a Shingon Buddhist (though not particularly religious), I could not miss this special exhibition commemorating the 1250th birthday of Kukai. Whenever there is a chance, I always take photos of statues both from the front and the back, as it is generally not possible to see them from behind. 000
Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him) @networker-365.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Those who created this magnificent work deserve a literature prize. Or maybe the Ig Nobel Prize in AI literacy. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...theguardian.com 000