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That Train Before? Half-Empty! Here's the Real Thing...

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By lylehsaxon (Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 11:30:24 PM EST) (all tags)

I accidentally sent a video of a half empty train before when I was trying to show how crowded it gets sometimes - here's the real thing:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5127313249780524359

(As posted with the video):

I have nothing but the highest respect and admiration for the Tokyo train system - but even this fine system running like clockwork has its limits. This video was taken in 1991 and things have improved somewhat due to increased trains and (more importantly) flex-time being allowed at many companies, but even now, when something throws the trains a little off scedule (someone taking the express checkout from life by jumping in front of a train, etc.), then things can be as shown in the video. 30,000,000 people is a lot of work to move about!

Lyle (Hiroshi) Saxon http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~LLLtrs/

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That Train Before? Half-Empty! Here's the Real Thing... | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback

Whoa by TheophileEscargot (2.00 / 0) #1 Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 05:14:08 AM EST

Can't believe they got everybody on there.
--
"Everything is vague to a degree you do not realize till you have tried to make it precise." -- Bertrand Russell

The ironic thing... by lylehsaxon (2.00 / 0) #2 Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:43:32 AM EST

... is that when I've been on trains that are that crowded, people tend to get along better than when it's some middle zone between completely packed and comfortably mostly empty.

I can remember being against the door when I was the last one on, and I worried about two things:

That if I didn't use my arms properly, I could end up with cracked ribs.
And I worried that the door would come lose from the fairly intense pressure, sending myself and the others standing against the door flying off the train.

Shared misery keeps people from complaining too much, but when things are not so bad, you want them to be even better.

Lyle

The shortest way home is the longest way 'round....
[ Parent ]

: Yeah by TheophileEscargot (2.00 / 0) #3 Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 02:07:07 PM EST

When it's so cramped no-one can move, things aren't too hostile. It's when people are jockeying and elbowing for space that things are most unpleasant.
--
"Everything is vague to a degree you do not realize till you have tried to make it precise." -- Bertrand Russell
[ Parent ]

showing why politeness is a cultural premium:) by Merekat (2.00 / 0) #4 Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:08:08 PM EST

I do love that they have official pushing people:)

: Official Pushers.... by lylehsaxon (2.00 / 0) #6 Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 09:07:06 AM EST

Yeah - practical, it is! Incidentally, two of the four guys helping to shove people into that first door are the drivers of the two stopped trains!
Lyle
The shortest way home is the longest way 'round....
[ Parent ]

Just to let you know by TheophileEscargot (2.00 / 0) #5 Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 06:07:11 PM EST

I reposted the link on another small site metachat. Great video!
--
"Everything is vague to a degree you do not realize till you have tried to make it precise." -- Bertrand Russell

Thanks - I registered there... by lylehsaxon (2.00 / 0) #7 Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 09:10:11 AM EST

I'm hoping to answer a couple of the comments made there. Does that site work that way? For example the comment that it must be the Sobu Line is wrong - it's the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. That video was taken at Hibarigaoka Station - about 20 minutes from the terminal station of Ikebukuro, with one more stop on the way (Shakujikoen)....

Lyle

The shortest way home is the longest way 'round....
[ Parent ]

You should be able to post there by R Mutt (2.00 / 0) #8 Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 09:44:01 AM EST

But accounts have to be approved so it may be a while before you can post.

[ Parent ]

: Another one at Shakujikoen.... by lylehsaxon (4.00 / 1) #9 Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:46:03 AM EST

Here's another from the same day - at Shakujikoen, the last stop before the train skips several stations and makes a straight run for the terminal station Ikebukuro:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7859304935837905209
Lyle

The shortest way home is the longest way 'round....
[ Parent ]

That Train Before? Half-Empty! Here's the Real Thing... | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback