Choshi Electric Railway 700 series explained

Choshi Electric Railway 700 series
Service:1978–2010
Replaced:DeHa 201
Yearconstruction:1942
Numberbuilt:2 vehicles
Numberservice:None
Numberpreserved:2 vehicles
Formation:Single car
Fleetnumbers:DeHa 701/702
Capacity:110 (42 seated)
Operator:Choshi Electric Railway
Depots:Nakanochō
Carbody:Steel
Carlength:15365mm
Width:2743mm
Height:4134mm
Doors:2 per side
Weight:26.0 t
Traction:SE-119C (52 kW x2)
Poweroutput:104 kW
Electricsystem:600 V DC overhead wire
Collectionmethod:PS13 pantograph (x1)
Bogies:Sumitomo KS-33S

The was an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Choshi Electric Railway in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, between 1978 and 2010. The two single cars were converted from former Ohmi Railway MoHa 50 EMU cars, which were built in 1942.[1]

Build details

No.Former No.Build dateWithdrawal date
DeHa 701MoHa 511942September 2010
DeHa 702MoHa 521942January 2010

Source: [1]

Operation

The two DeHa 700 cars were not able to operate in multiple with other types on the railway, but were often used running together in multiple on rush-hour services.

Interior

The trains had longitudinal seating, and were not air-conditioned, using ceiling-mounted fans. DeHa 701 was equipped with fare collection boxes at each end for wanman driver only operation.[1]

History

Two 1942-vintage MoHa 50 EMU cars, MoHa 51 and MoHa 52, were purchased from Ohmi Railway, and were modified at Seibu Railway's workshops in Tokorozawa, Saitama in 1978, becoming DeHa 701 and DeHa 702 respectively. The MoHa 50 EMU cars themselves used the bogies and electrical equipment from former wooden-bodied DeYuWa 101 and 102 mail EMU cars built in March 1928 by Kawasaki Dockyard Co., Ltd.[2] The MoHa 50 cars were originally built as single-cars, but had one cab end removed in 1961. The second cab ends were reinstated on conversion for use on the Choshi Electric Railway.[1] The cars entered revenue service on the Choshi Electric Railway from 5 April 1978.[2]

In 1981, Prince Akishino rode on both DeHa 701 and DeHa 702 with friends on a trip from Choshi to Tokawa on 6 December 1981 while he was studying at Gakushuin University in Tokyo.[2]

In September 1990, both cars were repainted into the new standard livery of dark brown and red. DeHa 701 was repainted into a promotional yellow livery in June 1994, and "couple seats" were provided together with heart-shaped hanging straps in a tie-up with a TV Tokyo television programme.[2] It was modified for driver only operation in December 1994.[1]

On 24 June 1995, DeHa 701 was involved in a head-on collision north of Kasagami-Kurohae Station when it hit DeHa 1001 on an up (Chōshi-bound) service. Both cars sustained front-end damage. DeHa 701 was returned to service in April 1996 following repairs and repainting back into the new standard livery of dark brown and red.[1]

In November 2007, DeHa 702 was repainted into the 1950s livery of sky blue and pale grey. This car was not modified for driver only operation, and was thus limited to use as a second car to lengthen busier services or for tour groups.

Withdrawal and preservation

DeHa 702 was withdrawn from service in January 2010, and DeHa 701 was withdrawn after its final day of operation on 23 September 2010.[3]

In November 2011, the two cars were moved to the Isumi Poppo-no-oka farm shop in Isumi, Chiba,[4] where they were restored and repainted for use as shop facilities selling local produce and souvenirs, open to the public from 16 December 2011.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Satō. Toshio. ja:銚子電鉄の電車たちを訪ねて. Visiting the trains of the Chōshi Electric Railway. Japan Railfan Magazine. 49. 584. 92–96. Kōyūsha Co., Ltd.. Japan. December 2009. ja.
  2. Book: Shirato, Sadao . 銚子電気鉄道(下) . Choshi Electric Railway Volume Two. Neko Publishing Co., Ltd.. July 2011. Japan. 36–38. 978-4-7770-5310-0.
  3. Web site: ja:銚子電気鉄道デハ701・デハ801が引退. Choshi Electric Railway DeHa701 & DeHa 801 Withdrawn. RM News. Neko Publishing. 24 September 2010. http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2010/09/701801.html. ja. 25 September 2010. 13 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171113003041/http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2010/09/701801.html. dead.
  4. Web site: http://mainichi.jp/area/chiba/news/20111123ddlk12040062000c.html. ja:レトロ車両:夜空去る列車 いすみの農場で余生--銚子電鉄 . Retro Choshi Railway train cars leave at night to spend the rest of their lives on a farm in Isumi . 23 November 2011. mainichi.jp. The Mainichi Newspapers. Japan. ja. https://archive.today/20120711001408/http://mainichi.jp/area/chiba/news/20111123ddlk12040062000c.html. 2012-07-11. dead. 19 December 2011.
  5. Web site: http://mainichi.jp/select/wadai/news/20111220mog00m040012000c.html. ja:銚電レトロ車、店舗に 新たな目玉 . Choshi Railway retro train cars turned into shops . 20 December 2011. mainichi.jp. The Mainichi Newspapers. Japan. ja. 16 January 2012.