The TX-2000 series (TX-2000系) is a dual-voltage electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company on the Tsukuba Express line in the Kanto region of Japan since 2005.[1]

TX-2000 series
Tsukuba Express 2000 series
ManufacturerHitachi
Built atKudamatsu, Yamaguchi
Family nameHitachi A-train
Constructed2003–2012
Entered service24 August 2005
Number built138 vehicles (23 sets)
Number in service138 vehicles (23 sets)
Formation6 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers51–73
Capacity920 (318 seated)
OperatorsMetropolitan Intercity Railway Company
DepotsMoriya
Lines servedTsukuba Express
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Car length
  • 20.8 m (68 ft 3 in)(end cars)
  • 20 m (65 ft 7 in)(intermediate cars)
Width2,950 mm (9 ft 8 in)
Height4,070 mm (13 ft 4 in)
Doors4 pairs per side
Maximum speed130 km/h (80.8 mph)
Traction systemPWM-VVVF
Power output190 kW per motor
Acceleration3 km/(h⋅s) (1.9 mph/s)
Deceleration4.2 km/(h⋅s) (2.6 mph/s)
4.4 km/(h⋅s) (2.7 mph/s) emergency
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC / 20 kV AC (50 Hz)
Current collector(s)Overhead wire
Safety system(s)ATC, ATO
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Design edit

TX-2000 series trains are capable of operating on both the 1,500 V DC and 20 kV AC sections of the Tsukuba Express, and therefore operate over the full length of the line. (The DC-only TX-1000 series sets are restricted to the Akihabara – Moriya section of the line.)[2]

Formation edit

As of 1 April 2016, the fleet consists of 23 six-car sets (51 to 73), consisting of four motored (M) cars and two trailer (T) cars, and formed as follows with car 1 at the Tsukuba (northern) end.[2]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Designation CT1 M1 M2 M1' M2' CT2
Numbering TX-2100 TX-2200 TX-2300 TX-2400 TX-2500 TX-2600
Capacity
Total/seated
147/48 158/51 153/60 158/51 147/48
Weight (t) 30.3 38.1 34.4 38.3 34.3 30.9

Cars 2 and 4 are each fitted with two single-arm pantographs.[2]

Interior edit

The middle two cars, 3 and 4, feature transverse seating bays with folding tables.[2]

History edit

The first six-car prototype was built in March 2003, and 15 more sets were subsequently delivered from Hitachi between January and July 2004, entering service on 24 August 2008.[2] Four additional sets (67 to 70) were delivered in 2008 to provide increased capacity. These later sets differ in having a red bodyline stripe added below the windows.[2]

A further three six-car sets were delivered in June and August 2012 to provide additional capacity.[2][3] These three sets, 71 to 73, feature a number of design improvements over earlier sets, including the use of LED interior lighting, increased seat thickness, and opening windows to provide ventilation at the ends of cars.[4]

From April 2017, the transverse seating in cars 3 and 4 was gradually replaced by longitudinal bench seating.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ Takai, Kunpei (30 June 2014). Morokawa, Hisashi; Hattori, Akihiro (eds.). 全国私鉄超決定版 電車・機関車・気動車1700 [Nationwide Private Railway Ultimate Edition: 1700 EMUs, Locomotives, and DMUs] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Sekaibunka-sha. p. 66. ISBN 978-4-418-14219-4.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g 私鉄車両編成表 2016 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2016] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 25 July 2016. p. 78. ISBN 978-4-330-70116-5.
  3. ^ 3編成18両の車両増強と南流山駅ホーム改良計画について [Details of new build of 3 trainsets and platform improvements at Minami-Nagareyama Station] (PDF). Tsukuba Express News Release (in Japanese). Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  4. ^ "3 編成18 両(TX-2000 系車両)を導入します。" [Three TX-2000 series sets (18 vehicles) to be introduced] (PDF). Tsukuba Express News Release (in Japanese). Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2012.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ TX-2000系にロングシート改造車が登場 [TX-2000 series modified with longitudinal seating]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 28 April 2017. Archived from the original on 29 April 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2017.

External links edit