The Tobu 9000 series (東武9000系, Tōbu 9000-kei) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) commuter train type operated by the private railway operator Tobu Railway in Japan since 1981.

Tobu 9000/9050 series
Refurbished set 9106, October 2021
ManufacturerTokyu Car Corporation, Fuji Heavy Industries, Alna Koki
Constructed1981–1994
Entered service1981
Refurbished2007–2008
Number built100 vehicles (10 sets)
Number in service90 vehicles (9 sets)
Formation10 cars per trainset
OperatorsTobu Railway
DepotsShinrinkōen
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Car length20 m (65 ft 7 in)
Maximum speed110 km/h (68 mph)
Traction system
Power output150 kW (201 hp) per motor
TransmissionCardan shaft
  • 87:16 (5.43) gear ratio (9000 series)
  • 87:14 (6.21) gear ratio (9050 series)[citation needed]
Acceleration3.3 km/(h⋅s) (2.1 mph/s)
Deceleration3.7 km/(h⋅s) (2.3 mph/s) (service)
4.5 km/(h⋅s) (2.8 mph/s) (emergency)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC
Current collector(s)Overhead lines
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Operations

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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

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  • Prototype set 9101
  • Production sets 9102-9108
  • 9050 series VVVF sets 9151-9152

Prototype set 9101

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Set 9101, October 2017

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It was withdrawn from service in July 2021, and was transported from Shinrin-koen to Kitatatebayashi on 16 and 17 October 2023, where it is expected to be scrapped.[3]

Formation

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Designation Tc1 M1 M2 T1 M1 M3 T2 M1 M4 Tc2
Numbering 9100 9200 9300 9400 9500 9600 9700 9800 9900 9000

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

Production sets 9102-9108

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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

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Designation Tc1 M1 M2 T1 M1 M3 T2 M1 M4 Tc2
Numbering 9100 9200 9300 9400 9500 9600 9700 9800 9900 9000

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

9050 series VVVF sets

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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

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Designation Tc3 M5 M6 T3 M7 M8 T4 M7 M9 Tc4
Numbering 9150 9250 9350 9450 9550 9650 9750 9850 9950 9050

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

Refurbishment

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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.

Interior

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Future

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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]

References

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  1. ^ a b "2006東武鉄道通勤車両カタログ" [2006 Tōbu Railway Commuter Rolling Stock Catalogue]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 35, no. 263. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. March 2006. pp. 27–30.
  2. ^ Iijima, Iwao (July 2002). 私鉄の車両24 東武鉄道 [Private Railway Trains 24: Tobu Railway]. Tokyo, Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. pp. 32–33, 184. ISBN 978-4-87366-307-4.
  3. ^ Kamata, Akihiro (19 October 2023). 東武9000系9101編成が北館林へ [Tobu 9000 series 9101 formation moves to Kitatatebayashi]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  4. ^ a b c 私鉄車両編成表 2010 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2010]. Japan: JRR. August 2010. p. 40. ISBN 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. Vol. 37, no. 291. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. July 2008. pp. 40–42.
  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. Vol. 36, no. 278. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. June 2007. p. 75.
  7. ^ Kinoshita, Kenji (30 April 2024). 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]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Retrieved 5 May 2024.
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