| Nankai 50000 series | |
| Service: | 1994present |
| Manufacturer: | Tokyu Car Corporation |
| Designer: | Hiroyuki Wakabayashi |
| Yearconstruction: | 1994 |
| Yearservice: | 4 September 1994 |
| Refurbishment: | 20142018 |
| Numberbuilt: | 36 vehicles (6 sets) |
| Numberservice: | 36 vehicles (6 sets) |
| Formation: | 6 cars per trainset |
| Fleetnumbers: | 50001–50006 |
| Capacity: | 252 |
| Operator: | Nankai Electric Railway |
| Depots: | Suminoe, Chiyoda |
| Carbody: | Steel |
| Trainlength: | 125.6m (412.1feet) |
| Width: | 2.85m (09.35feet) |
| Height: | 4.14m (13.58feet) |
| Doors: | Plug doors: 1 per car |
| Maxspeed: | 110km/h (Nankai Line) 120km/h (Airport Line) |
| Weight: | 219t |
| Acceleration: | 0.69m/s2 |
| Deceleration: | 1m/s2 (service) 1.1m/s2 (emergency) |
| Traction: | Original: GTO-VVVF Current: IGBT-VVVF |
| Traction Motors: | 4 × 180kW 3-phase AC squirrel-cage induction motor |
| Poweroutput: | 2.16MW |
| Electricsystem: | overhead lines |
| Collectionmethod: | Pantograph |
| Bogies: | Bolsterless SS-137/SS-037 |
| Brakes: | Regenerative brake, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes |
| Safety: | ATS |
The is a limited express electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated in Japan by the private railway operator Nankai Electric Railway. These 6-car trains were introduced in 1994 on the new limited express service on the Nankai Airport Line serving Kansai International Airport, which opened on 4 September 1994.
The 50000 series is used on the Airport Line Rapi:t limited express services. The trains run between Namba and Chiyoda Depot, and have also been used occasionally on special-event services to Wakayamashi and Misakikoen. Since November 2022, the type has also been used on Semboku Liner limited express services on the Semboku Rapid Railway Line.[1]
The external styling of the train was the work of Hiroyuki Wakabayashi, an architect who was also responsible for designing Uji Station on the Keihan Uji Line. The design theme was "Outdated Future", and is the reason for the train's futuristic and retro styling. The end cars feature streamlined cabs without any gangway connections. The cars sport an all-over metallic deep navy blue livery, with the side windows having an elliptical shape, giving the train an aircraft-like appearance.
As of 1 April 2013, the fleet consists of six 6-car sets with three motored ("M") cars and three non-powered trailer ("T") cars formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Wakayama end.[2]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Tc2 | M3 | T1 | M2 | M1 | Tc1 | |
| Numbering | 50700 | 50200 | 50600 | 50100 | 50000 | 50500 |
All seats in standard and super-seat cars (Nos. 5 and 6) are reserved and no smoking. Cars 3 and 5 feature a service counter and vending machines.
One trainset was repainted in an all-over red livery in a tie-up coinciding with the release of Episode 7 of the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn series and to mark the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Nankai Airport Line. The repainted set returned to service on 26 April 2014 and ran until 30 June.[3]
From 7 September 2014, one 50000 series set was reliveried in a special "Peach × Rapi:t Happy Liner" livery as part of a promotional tie-up with the low-cost airline Peach Aviation.[4] The reliveried trainset was scheduled to operate until 31 August 2015.[4]
From 21 November 2015, a 50000 series set was reliveried in a special Star Wars: The Force Awakens black livery to mark the nationwide release of the film in December.[5] The reliveried trainset was scheduled to operate until 8 May 2016.[5]