Tobu 9000 series explained

Tobu 9000/9050 series
Manufacturer:Tokyu Car Corporation, Fuji Heavy Industries, Alna Koki
Yearconstruction:1981–1994
Yearservice:1981
Numberbuilt:100 vehicles (10 sets)
Numberservice:90 vehicles (9 sets)
Refurbishment:2007–2008
Formation:10 cars per trainset
Operator:Tobu Railway
Depots:Shinrinkōen
Carbody:Stainless steel
Carlength:200NaN0
Maxspeed:110km/h
Deceleration: (service)
(emergency)
Transmission:
  • 87:16 (5.43) gear ratio (9000 series)
  • 87:14 (6.21) gear ratio (9050 series)
Poweroutput: per motor
Collectionmethod:Overhead lines

The is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) commuter train type operated by the private railway operator Tobu Railway in Japan since 1981.

Operations

First entering service in 1981 on the Tobu Tojo Line, this was the first stainless steel EMU type to be introduced by Tobu. A total of ten 10-car sets were ultimately built for use on through-running services over the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line and Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, as well as Tojo Line services between Ikebukuro and Ogawamachi.

Variants

Prototype set 9101

Built in October 1981, this was the first stainless steel EMU type to be introduced by Tobu, and featured a bodyline stripe using the same "Royal maroon" colour as previously used on Tobu 1720 series "DRC" trains.[1] Set 9101 was built jointly by three manufacturers, with four cars (9101–9401) built by Tokyu Car Corporation, two cars (9501–9601) by Fuji Heavy Industries, and four cars (9701–9001) by Alna Koki (now Alna Sharyo).[2]

The seats on this set were originally brown, but this was later changed to the standard light green colour.[1]

It was withdrawn from service in July 2021, and was transported from to Kitatatebayashi on 16 and 17 October 2023, where it is expected to be scrapped.[3]

Formation

DesignationTc1M1M2T1M1M3T2M1M4Tc2
Numbering91009200930094009500960097009800 99009000

The M1 cars are each fitted with one scissors type pantograph.[4]

Production sets 9102-9108

Sets 9102 to 9107 were built in 1987, incorporating a number of minor improvements over the prototype set. Seat width was increased from 425 mm to 450 mm.

An additional set, 9108, was built in 1991, based on the 10030 series lightweight body style.

Formation

DesignationTc1M1M2T1M1M3T2M1M4Tc2
Numbering91009200930094009500960097009800 99009000

The M1 cars are each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.[4]

9050 series VVVF sets

Two 9050 series sets were introduced in December 1994, coinciding with the opening of the "Yurakucho New Line" (now part of the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line) between Kotakemukaihara and Ikebukuro.[5] These incorporated further design improvements and changes similar to the 20050 series trains, notably VVVF control, bolsterless bogies, 3-colour LED destination indicators, LCD interior passenger information displays, and brown seat moquette. The LCD passenger information displays were removed in 1999.

Formation

DesignationTc3M5M6T3M7M8T4M7M9Tc4
Numbering91509250935094509550965097509850 99509050

The M5 and M7 cars are each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.[4]

Refurbishment

From April 2007 to 2008, all of the 9000 and 9050 series sets except prototype set 9101 underwent refurbishment ahead of introduction on Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line inter-running services from June 2008. Refurbishment included totally new interiors and cabs based on the 50070 series design. Externally, single-arm pantographs were fitted, and the destination indicator blinds replaced with full-colour LED displays. Prototype set 9101 was not refurbished due to the different door spacing of this set, making it incompatible with the platform doors on the Fukutoshin Line.[6] This set is restricted to Tōbu Tōjō Line overground duties.

Future

On 30 April 2024, as part of its fiscal 2024 capital investment plan, Tobu Railway announced plans to replace the 9000 series with a new fleet of rolling stock.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. 2006東武鉄道通勤車両カタログ . 2006 Tōbu Railway Commuter Rolling Stock Catalogue. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine . 35. 263. 27–30. Kōtsū Shimbun . Japan. March 2006.
  2. Book: Iijima, Iwao . 私鉄の車両24 東武鉄道 . Private Railway Trains 24: Tobu Railway. Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. . July 2002 . Tokyo, Japan . 32–33, 184. 978-4-87366-307-4.
  3. News: Kamata . Akihiro . 2023-10-19 . ja:東武9000系9101編成が北館林へ . Tobu 9000 series 9101 formation moves to Kitatatebayashi . https://railf.jp/news/2023/10/19/114000.html . ja . . https://web.archive.org/web/20231019045816/https://railf.jp/news/2023/10/19/114000.html . 2023-10-19 . 2023-10-19 . live.
  4. Book: 私鉄車両編成表 2010 . Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2010. JRR . August 2010 . Japan . 40. 978-4-330-15310-0.
  5. 副都心線に乗り入れる車両大集合 . Roundup of rolling stock for Fukutoshin Line inter-running. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine . 37. 291. 40–42. Kōtsū Shimbun . Japan . July 2008.
  6. 東武鉄道 50070系/9000系(地下鉄副都心線乗入れ対応車). Tobu Railway 50070 and 9000 series sets for Fukutoshin Line subway inter-running. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine . 36. 278. 75. Kōtsū Shimbun . Japan . June 2007.
  7. Web site: Kinoshita . Kenji . 2024-04-30 . ja:東武東上線に新型車両、9000系を代替更新 - 2024年度設備投資計画 . Tobu to replace Tojo Line 9000 series with new trains - FY2024 capital investment plan . 2024-05-05 . Mynavi News . ja.