We have delivered a story about the railway in Chuo-ku, but this is the last one.
Finally, we pick up the "Ginza Line", which runs through the middle of our Chuo-ku, and "Ginza Station", which is also the name of the line.
"Ginza Line" is the first subway in Japan. In 1927 (Showa 2), the Tokyo Metropolitan Subway opened in Asakusa-Kaminoma, and in 1934 (Showa 9), it was fully connected to Shimbashi. At this time, we established the position of the main railway that runs through Chuo-ku.
After that, the Tokyo High Speed Railroad, a separate company, made full connections between Shibuya and Shimbashi, and at the same time started direct operation in Shimbashi, and the current operation style was established. Later, during the wartime system, the two companies were absorbed by the "Teito Expressway Transportation Corps" (Reidan Subway), and continued until they privatized in 2004 and changed their clothes to "Tokyo Metro" (Tokyo Metro).
The name "Ginza Line" was actually named after the war. It was decided to give a name that would be familiar to this route, which was officially called Route 3, and in 1953 (Showa 28), it was named "Ginza", the best downtown area along the line.
One of the features of the Ginza Line is that in Tokyo, the Marunouchi Line uses a standard gauge (1,435mm) and a third gauge collection method for only two systems. In the early days of the subway, with the aim of keeping the cross section of the tunnel as small as possible, we mainly used a method of collecting power from the "power supply rail" beside the track without using a pantograph. Most of the subways in Europe and the United States and the subways in Osaka City use this method. In Tokyo, from the Ginza Line and Marunouchi Line onwards, fictitious lines and narrow gauges (1,067 mm) have been adopted in consideration of mutual direct connections with other company lines. In that sense, it is also a valuable route that conveys the early subway design philosophy to the present.
In recognition of its historical value, in 2008 (Heisei 20), it was selected as a civil engineering heritage recommended by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers for the reason that there are many valuable civil engineering structures such as iron frame structures and arch structures. Was. Take a look at the structure of the tunnel once from the platform of the station. It can be seen that the civil engineering technology at that time had a frame to maintain a solid structure somehow. The wisdom and effort of our predecessors are as long as we respect them.
By the way, "Ginza Station", which was the name of the "Ginza Line", is a representative station on this line. How many people have met and spun memories using this station. Even now, the entrance to Ginza Station shows a big presence.
By the way, "Ginza Station" is interesting as a station itself. A unique stone statue is displayed on the underpass leading to Higashi-Ginza Station, and a "Marcury statue" is installed near the ticket gate on the premises. This is one of the symbols of the Ryodan Subway in 1951 (Showa 26). As you know, Mercury is the god of commerce. It seems that you are praying for the prosperity of the best shopping street in Japan called Ginza.
There is also a sales corner for "subway goods" at the commuter pass counter. It may be interesting not only as a souvenir for children, but also as a souvenir for sightseeing in Tokyo.
A new vehicle will appear on such a historic Ginza Line from this month. It's a new 1000 series. Isn't it a retro and modern design reminiscent of the former Ginza Line vehicle?
Speaking of the old Ginza Line, the lights were often turned off and the fans stopped near the station. This is a phenomenon unique to the 3rd gauge collection method mentioned at the beginning. There was a zone called "Dead Section" that had to be set up where the power supply rail was interrupted around the entrance of the station. The current train does not cause this event because the electrical system is devised. It has become a nostalgic memory now.
The new 1000 series seems to have been devised in various interior designs. Please take the ride once and check out the new Ginza Line friends.
The railways in Chuo-ku, including the Ginza Line, are full of charm. I will continue to pay attention to it. Thank you very much for having been involved in the series nine times so far.
"Spring House Exhibition": In November 1945, the "Nippon Art Academy Small Product Exhibition" was held at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, and in 1970 it was renamed the "Spring House Exhibition" and has continued to this day. (Excerpted from Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store HP "Spring-in Exhibition")
The cherry blossoms on Sakura-dori St. next to Maruzen are also in full bloom. There was also a stall in the square in front of the Plaza Building. A blue sheet was laid in a good place, and the place was taken.
