Seibu Railway is set to celebrate the rich history of the Kawagoe Railway with a special temporary train tour titled "A Special Day to Mark the 130th Anniversary of the Kawagoe Railway with Your Family". Scheduled for April 12, 2025, this commemorative event promises to offer families a unique experience as they traverse the historical route of the Kawagoe Railway.
This special event marks the 130th anniversary of the Kawagoe Railway, which runs between Higashi-Murayama and Hon-Kawagoe on the Seibu Shinjuku Line and between Kokubunji and Higashi-Murayama on the Kokubunji Line. The tour encapsulates the railway's legacy, which began with the Kawagoe Railway's opening on December 21, 1894, originally connecting Kokubunji Station to Kumezawa Temporary Station (now Higashi-Murayama Station), and eventually reaching Hon-Kawagoe Station.
Participants will enjoy traveling aboard the 4000 series (a four-car train) typically operating on the Ikebukuro Line and Seibu Chichibu Line. The train is set to depart from Hon-Kawagoe Station, the inaugural station for the Kawagoe Railway, around 11:50 AM and will arrive at Minami-Irima Train Depot by approximately 12:10 PM. There, attendees will have the chance to experience thrilling activities such as pit entry and car washing.
After this stop, at around 12:50 PM, the train will depart Minami-Irima Train Depot and make its way toward Kodaira Station. Following this route, it will reach Musashi-Ranzan Station by about 1:45 PM, where children will have the opportunity for uniform photography, alongside hands-on experiences for broadcasting on the train and turning direction curtains.
At approximately 2:45 PM, the train will leave Musashi-Ranzan Station, pass through Ogawamachi Station, and arrive at Higashi-Murayama Station by around 3:00 PM, where the event will conclude outside the ticket gates. It is worth noting, though, the tour is not planned to include any entry to Kokubunji Station.
Participants will also receive unique memorabilia from the event—specifically the "Kawagoe Railway 130th Anniversary Project Original Acrylic Keychain", adding to the day's keepsake value. This commemorative item highlights the significance of the experience and allows families to take home a tangible reminder of the day.
The event aims to recruit 40 groups, accommodating up to 160 individuals, with at least 20 groups required for the event to take place. Each participating group can include between 1 and 4 people with a participation fee set at 20,000 yen for each box seat. This fee is inclusive of tax.
It is important to note eligibility parameters: children aged three years and older may participate, counted among the total number of participants, but must be accompanied by a responsible adult if they are elementary school age or younger. On the day of the event, seating assignments will be determined through lottery, ensuring fairness among participants.
Registration for this exciting experience will open on March 14, 2025, at 11:00 AM, and will close on April 6, 2025, at 11:59 PM; interested individuals are encouraged to apply through the EMot Online Ticket site. Since this event operates on a first-come, first-served basis, attendees are urged to act swiftly once applications become available to secure their spots.
Seibu Railway’s special train tour not only commemorates the historical milestones of the Kawagoe Railway but also serves as an exceptional opportunity for families to bond through shared experiences and learn about the railway's legacy over the past 130 years. Don't miss out on this chance to be part of railway history!