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 Tobu Railway
Line(s) served Tobu Skytree Line, Tobu Isesaki Line, Tobu Nikko Line, Tobu Utsunomiya 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]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 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.

External links