Sunday 13 July 2014

Subway Trains on the Seibu Line

EMU Tokyo Metro 10000 series travels on the Seibu-Ikebukuro Line
 
Direct train operation between multiple railways is a convenient transportation system. One of the examples is seen in the western part of the Tokyo metropolitan area, where five companies form a large railway network. They are Seibu, Tobu, Tokyo Metro, Tokyu and Yokohama Minatomirai railways. As a result of establishment of this network, we can see various kinds of trains on these lines. It is a great amusement for rail fans. I am going to show you two examples today.

Firstly, I would like to show you the EMU Tokyo Metro 10000 series. It was launched in 2006 to replace old model, the EMU 7000 series, on the subway Yurakucho Line. It was then introduced onto the subway Fukutoshin Line as well. A total of 36 sets, 360 units, have been manufactured so far by Hitachi. The rounded "face" with large frontal windows is very cool. The "keyhole-shaped" frontal lights are lovely.

Secondly, I am going to cover the EMU Seibu 6000 series. It is a multi-purpose train for the intra-Seibu lines and direct operation between Seibu and the other railways. The 6000 series was launched in 1992. A total of 25 sets, 250 units, have been manufactured so far by Tokyu Sharyo and Hitachi. This model has changed the image of the Seibu trains from the dowdy yellow trains to the urban sophisticated ones.

Direct train operation... it generates a "train museum" on the railways in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

 
EMU Seibu 6000 series
 
More information about the EMU Tokyo Metro 10000 series (in Japanese):
More information about the EMU Seibu 6000 series (in Japanese):