Seibu 9000 series

Summary

The Seibu 9000 series (西武9000系) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Seibu Railway on commuter services in the Tokyo area of Japan since 1993.[2]

Seibu 9000 series
Refurbished set 9104 in June 2008
In service1993–present
ManufacturerSeibu Tokorozawa Railway Works
Built atTokorozawa
Replaced101 series
Constructed1993–1999
Entered service19 September 1993; 30 years ago (1993-09-19)
Refurbished2004–2008
Number built80 vehicles (8 sets)
Number in service20 vehicles (5 sets)
Number scrappedAt least 30 vehicles (as of 13 January 2021)[1]
Formation4 (formerly 10) cars per trainset
Fleet numbers9101–9108
OperatorsSeibu Railway
DepotsMusashigaoka
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length20 m (65 ft 7 in)
Doors4 pairs per side
Maximum speed105 km/h (65 mph)
Traction system
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC (overhead lines)
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Design edit

The 9000 series trains were built between 1993 and 1999 at Seibu's own Tokorozawa Factory by combining electrical equipment from former 101 series EMUs with new steel bodies based on the New 2000 series design.[2] These were the last trains to be built at the Tokorozawa Factory before it closed in 2000.[2]

Fleet edit

As of 1 April 2015, the fleet consists of eight 10-car sets, numbered 9101 to 9108, based at Musashigaoka depot for use on Seibu Ikebukuro Line workings.[3]

Formations edit

10-car sets are formed as shown below with six motored ("M") cars and four non-powered trailer ("T") cars.[3]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Designation Tc1 M1 M2 T1 M3 M4 T2 M5 M6 Tc2
Numbering 9100 9200 9300 9400 9500 9600 9700 9800 9900 9000
  • Cars 2, 5, and 8 are each equipped with one single-arm pantograph.[3]

Interior edit

Seating consists of longitudinal bench seating throughout. Wheelchair spaces are provided in cars 2 and 9.[3] Priority seats are provided at the end of each car.[3]

History edit

The first train entered service in 1993, with eight 10-car sets built by 1999.[2] The fleet was refurbished between 2004 and 2008, with new underframe equipment and VVVF inverter control.[2] Refurbished sets are identified by stickers on the cab end doors.[2]

Tamako Line transfer edit

 
Set 9102 in July 2023

Beginning in 2020, the 9000 series fleet was shortened to four-car formations and modified to accommodate driver-only operation for use on the Tamako Line. The first of these sets was set 9108, which entered service on the Tamako Line on 1 October 2020.[4] As of 15 June 2021, the entire fleet has been modified for Tamako Line operation,[5] excluding sets 9101, 9106, and 9107, which were scrapped beforehand.[1]

Livery variations edit

"Red Lucky Train" edit

 
Set 9103 in "Red Lucky Train" livery in March 2017

From July 2014, set 9103 was repainted in a "Red Lucky Train" livery in collaboration with the private railway operator Keikyu. In return, Keikyu painted one of its own N1000 series sets into an all-over yellow livery similar to the Seibu livery in May 2014.[6] Set 9103 was repainted in an all-over red livery after it was modified for Tamako Line operation.[7]

"L-train" edit

 
Set 9108 in "L-train" livery in May 2016

From 17 January 2016, set 9108 operated in a special "L-train" livery consisting of the Saitama Seibu Lions baseball team colour of dark blue with Seibu Lions logos.[8] The set's Seibu Lions logos were removed following its modification for use on the Tamako Line.[4]

"Seibu KPP Train" edit

 
Set 9101 in "Seibu KPP Train" livery in June 2016

From 4 June 2016, set 9101 operated in a special "Seibu KPP Train" pink livery to mark the 100th anniversary of Seibu Railway in 2015 and the fifth anniversary of singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.[9] The train operated in this livery until 29 September 2016, after which date the Kyary Pamyu Pamyu vinyls were removed, with the trainset operating in all-over pink livery.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ a b 4両化された9000系9102編成が営業運転開始 [Four-car 9000 series set 9102 enters revenue service]. RM News. Japan: Neko Publishing. 13 January 2021. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f 私鉄車両年鑑 2013: 大手15社営業用車両完全網羅 私鉄車両年鑑2013 [Japan Private Railways Annual 2013] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. 20 March 2013. p. 203. ISBN 978-4-86320-693-9.
  3. ^ a b c d e 私鉄車両編成表 私鉄車両編成表 2015 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2015] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 23 July 2015. p. 55. ISBN 978-4-330-58415-7.
  4. ^ a b 西武9108編成 多摩湖線でワンマン運転を開始 [Seibu set 9108 begins one-man operation on the Tamako Line]. RM News. Japan: Neko Publishing. 6 October 2020. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  5. ^ 西武9000系9104編成が武蔵丘車両検修場を出場 [Seibu 9000 series set 9104 on test]. RM News. Japan: Neko Publishing. 16 June 2021. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  6. ^ 西武9000系が赤色になって出場 [Seibu 9000 series out-shopped in red livery]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 17 July 2014. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  7. ^ 西武鉄道9000系9103編成が出場試運転を実施 [Seibu Railway 9000 series set 9103 on test]. RM News. Japan: Neko Publishing. 24 March 2021. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  8. ^ 西武鉄道 2代目"L-train"復活運行 [Second Seibu "L-train" to run]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co. Ltd. 14 January 2016. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  9. ^ 「西武KPPトレイン」運転開始 [Seibu KPP Train enters service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 5 June 2016. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  10. ^ 9101編成 ピンク一色で運行 [Set 9101 operated in pink livery]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 4 October 2016. Archived from the original on 4 October 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.

External links edit

  • Seibu 9000 series train information (in Japanese)