Tobu 9000 series

Tobu 9000 series
Refurbished set 9105, July 2008
In service	1981–Present
Manufacturer	Tokyu Car Corporation, Fuji Heavy Industries, Alna Koki
Constructed	1981–1994
Refurbishment	2007–2008
Number built	100 vehicles (10 sets)
Formation	10 cars per trainset
Operator(s)	Tobu Railway
Depot(s)	Shinrinkōen
Line(s) served	Tobu Tojo Line, Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	20 m (65 ft 7 in)
Maximum speed	110 km/h (70 mph)
Acceleration	3.3 km/h/s
Deceleration	3.7 km/h/s (service) 4.5 km/h/s (emergency)
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Current collection method	Overhead lines
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The Tobu 9000 series (東武9000系, Tōbu 9000-kei) is a commuter electric multiple unit (EMU) 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
• Production sets 9102-9108
• 9050 series VVVF sets 9151-9152

Prototype set 9101

File:Tobu 9000 series 9101 20120319.jpg

Set 9101, March 2012

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. 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).

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

Formation

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.

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

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.

• 

  First refurbished set, 9102, April 2007

• Tobu 9000 series 9108 20120319.jpg

  Refurbished set 9108, March 2012

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. 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

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.

• Tobu 9050 series 9151 Shinrinkoen Depot 19980312.JPG

  Set 9151 before refurbishment, March 1998

• Tobu 9050 series 9151 Fujimino 20120308.jpg

  Refurbished set 9151, March 2012

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. This set is restricted to Tōbu Tōjō Line overground duties.

Interior

• Tobu 9050 MoHa 9251 interior Tobu Tojo Line 20120927.JPG

  Interior view of a refurbished 9050 series set, September 2012

External links

• Tobu 9000 series (Japanese)
• Refurbished Tobu 9000 series (Japan Railfan Magazine) (Japanese)