Tobu 500 series
| Tobu 500 series | |
|---|---|
|
An artist's impression published April 2015 | |
| In service | Spring 2017 (scheduled) |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
| Number under construction | 24 vehicles (8 sets) |
| Formation | 3 cars per trainset |
| Capacity | 161 |
| Operator(s) | Tobu Railway |
| Line(s) served | Tobu Skytree Line, Tobu Isesaki Line, Tobu Nikko Line, Tobu Utsunomiya Line, Yagan Railway Aizu Kinugawa Line, Aizu Railway Aizu Line |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium |
| Car length | 20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in) |
| Width | 2,870 mm (9 ft 5 in) |
| Electric system(s) | 1,500 V DC |
| Current collection method | Overhead line |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
The Tobu 500 series (東武500系 Tōbu 500-kei) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type on order by the private railway operator Tobu Railway for use on limited express services in Japan from spring 2017. Eight three-car sets (24 vehicles in total) are on order to be built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.[1]
Design
The new trains will be built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, with exterior and interior styling overseen by Japanese industrial designer Ken Okuyama.[1] The driving cabs at each end of the three-car trainsets will include a gangway connection to allow trains to be coupled or split en route.[1]
The trains will have active suspension, a first for trains operated by Tobu, and use permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) traction motors.[1]
Exterior
The exterior livery will consist of "champagne beige" with "forest green" and "future blue" (Tobu's corporate colour) highlights around the windows.[1]
Formation
The fleet of three-car sets will be formed as follows, with two driving motor ("M") cars and a non-powered trailer ("T") intermediate car.
| Designation | Mc1 | T | Mc2 |
|---|
Interior
Each three-car set will have a seating capacity of 161 passengers. Seat pitch will be 1,000 mm (39 in). Interior lighting will use LED lighting.[1] Each trainset will include a universal access toilet, western-style toilet, and urinal. Wi-Fi and at-seat AC power sockets will also be provided.[1]
History
Tobu Railway officially announced initial details of the new trains on 22 April 2015.[1] In April 2016, Tobu announced that the trains would be used on through services between Asakusa in Tokyo and Aizu-Tajima in Fukushima Prefecture via the Yagan Railway and Aizu Railway Aizu Line from spring 2017.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Kusamachi, Yoshimasa (22 April 2015). 東武鉄道、新型特急「500系」2017年春導入へ…分割・併合運転に対応 [Tobu Railway to introduce new 500 series limited express trains in spring 2017 - To allow coupling/splitting en route]. Response (in Japanese). Japan: IID Inc. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ↑ 東武鉄道の新型特急車両「５００系」が２０１７年春より野岩鉄道・会津鉄道へ乗り入れます！ [New Tobu 500 series trains to inter-run on Yagan Railway and Aizu Railway from spring 2017] (pdf). News release (in Japanese). Japan: Tobu Railway. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
External links
- Tobu press release (22 April 2015) (Japanese)
- Kawasaki Heavy Industries news release (22 April 2015) (Japanese)
- Ken Okuyama Design news release
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