Train lines running in many directions - downtown Osaka, Japan

Efficiently and economically moving through a big urban landscape is a thing of wonder when everything is work well, as it almost always seems to be: generations of engineering design for materials, safety, signage to minimize user confusion or mistakes, pricing of products, lighting design to direct the foot traffic and to discourage nefarious activity, maintenance of infrastructure, incorporating emerging technology (smartphone apps and notifications), and programs of training for new staff and technical experts all have to figured out and kept up to date. Changing weather (or natural disaster) conditions call for special alterations to normal schedules, and so on.

On this early Sunday morning ride from central Osaka to the KIX international airport in the bay the train meets other ones traveling in the opposite direction on the left side or the right side. Ones that are slowing sometimes are overtaken by this limited express service as it speeds past some of the minor platforms. At other times another train traveling in parallel diverges along its path, leaving this train's route and disappearing into the distance. It is hard to imagine what a time-traveler from 50 or 100 years ago would think of the brightly lit carriages with heated seats in the cold season and air-conditioning in the hot season.