Ghost Tunnel
The 999 arrives at the ghost tunnel, a giant tunnel in space formed by giant black orbs. An android woman, Eroze appears and asks Tetsuro to come off the train. When he refuses, she attacks the train with the orbs until he relents and agrees to come out.
Aired 25/10/1979EP 50 - Ghost Tunnel

Galaxy Express 999
After witnessing the death of his mother and being left for dead at the hands of Count Mecha, ten-year old Tetsuro Hoshino is awakened by a mysterious woman, Maetal. In exchange for only his company, Maetal offers him the ride of his life on the Galaxy Express 999. It is said that those who travel aboard the legendary train to the end of the line can receive a free mechanical body and with it, immortality.
Impoverished and alone, Tetsuro leaps at the opportunity and joins Maetal on a quest that will span the cosmos. As the Galaxy Express 999 makes its way across our solar system and beyond, Tetsuro is drawn deeper into a dangerous universe where peril lurks at every stop.
(Source: Discotek)