Seibu 6000 series

Seibu 6000 series
Refurbished stainless steel set 6114 in October 2021
In service1 June 1992 – present
ManufacturerTokyu Car Corporation, Hitachi
Constructed1992–1998
Refurbished2006–2010
Number built250 vehicles (25 sets)
Number in service250 vehicles (25 sets)
Formation10 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers
  • 6101–6117,
  • 6151–6158
Operators Seibu
DepotsKotesashi, Tamagawajosui
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel (6101 to 6117); Aluminium (6151 to 6158)
Car length20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in)
Width2,800 mm (9 ft 2 in)
Doors4 pairs per side
Maximum speed
  • 105 km/h (65 mph) (on Seibu Line)
  • 110 km/h (68 mph) (on Tokyu line)
  • 80 km/h (50 mph) (on Tokyo Metro lines)
Traction systemVariable frequency (GTO/SiC/IGBT)[1]
Power output155 kW per motor (GTO)
170 kW per motor (SiC)
190kW per motor (6157)
Acceleration3.3 km/(h⋅s) (2.1 mph/s) (on Tokyo Metro lines)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC (overhead catenary)
Current collector(s)Pantograph
BogiesBolsterless
Braking system(s)Electronically controlled pneumatic brakes with regenerative braking
Safety system(s)New CS-ATC (beside 6101 and 6102), ATS (all sets)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The Seibu 6000 series (西武6000系) is a Japanese electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Seibu Railway. Twenty-five 10-car sets were manufactured by Tokyu Car Corporation and Hitachi between 1992 and 1998.

Featuring several advances in design, accessibility, and technology over older Seibu Railway sets, the 6000 series was designed for use on through services to the TRTA (now Tokyo Metro) Yurakucho Line and also intended to serve as the basis for future Seibu train types. The train type first entered service on 1 June 1992 on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line and has since been introduced onto other lines, including the Seibu Yurakucho and Shinjuku lines, the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, and the Tokyu Toyoko Line.

Design

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The 6000 series was developed for use on through services to the Yurakucho Subway Line, as well as to be the basis for future Seibu Railway vehicles. The trains incorporate bolsterless bogies to reduce weight and complexity.[2] Furthermore, the 6000 series fleet features variable-frequency drive (VVVF) traction systems.[3]: 76  The all-over "lemon yellow" livery used with several older Seibu train designs was discontinued in favour of bodyside blue and white accents.[2]

Most of the fleet was constructed using unpainted stainless steel, with fibre-reinforced plastic used for the front ends; however, between 1996 and 1998, eight sets were constructed using aluminium bodywork throughout. This change in material resulted in a per-set weight reduction of 14.1 tonnes (13.9 long tons; 15.5 short tons) over older sets.[3]: 80 

The interior is equipped with longitudinal seating throughout,[2] with production sets being fitted with wheelchair spaces from new.[3]: 79  All sets were built with LED passenger information displays above the doors; since 2008, these have been replaced with LCD displays.[1]

  • Refurbished interior of a stainless steel set
    Refurbished interior of a stainless steel set
  • LCD screens of a refurbished trainset
    LCD screens of a refurbished trainset
  • LED information display of an unrefurbished trainset
    LED information display of an unrefurbished trainset
  • Driver's cab of an early-model 6000 series trainset
    Driver's cab of an early-model 6000 series trainset
  • Driver's cab of a later-model 6000 series trainset, showing modifications made for improved visibility
    Driver's cab of a later-model 6000 series trainset, showing modifications made for improved visibility

Variants

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Batches 1–4

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Silver train with blue and white accents on the front-end and body
The first prototype set, 6101, in May 2021

The first 6000 series batch consists of two 10-car sets: 6101 and 6102.[2] These were the first trains to use stainless steel bodywork in Seibu's fleet.[4] The sets were built by Tokyu Car Corporation[5] in 1992 and designated as prototypes.[3]: 79  The "SS125" and "SS025" bogies are the first new bogie designs to be used by Seibu Railway since the "FS372" and "FS072" bogies, which were first introduced with the 101 series trainsets in 1969.[6]

A batch of five production-ready 6000 series sets, numbered 6103 to 6107, first materialized in 1993, all of which were in service by 1994. For this batch, wheelchair spaces were installed in cars 2 and 9, and the openable side windows were replaced with fixed windows. Some portions of the driver's cab were modified to improve visibility. Since these sets were introduced, further design changes have been made, which are as follows.[3]: 79–80 

  • Batch 3 (sets 6108–6112): This batch of sets was introduced in preparation for the opening of the "up" portion of the Seibu Yurakucho Line extension to Nerima Station. The first four sets were built with subway-compatible radio equipment, with the last of those four (set 6111) also being equipped with automatic train control (ATC). As set 6112 was initially deployed on Shinjuku Line services, it was not built with such equipment.
  • Batch 4 (sets 6113–6117): This batch of sets was introduced in 1995. There were minimal design changes over the previous batch.

Batches 5–7

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Aluminium-bodied set 6158 in September 2006

The fifth batch (sets 6151–6155) was manufactured from 1996. For this batch onward, aluminium was used for body construction. Additionally, Hitachi took over production of the 6000 series fleet;[5] the manufacturer had previously supplied traction systems for earlier sets.[3]: 76, 80  These sets also feature a slightly altered bogie design over the ones used with the older sets.[7]

Batches 6 (sets 6156 and 6157) and 7 (set 6158) were delivered between 1997[3]: 81  and September 1998,[8] featuring slight design differences over the preceding batch. To reduce costs and weight, the door-pocket side windows and front-end passing lights were removed, and the bogie design was changed to incorporate a monolink system; the new bogies used in these sets were given the classifications "SS-150" for powered bogies, and "SS-050" for unpowered bogies.[3] As of May 2022, all subsequent Seibu train types had incorporated monolink bogies, excluding the 001 series Laview trainsets.[1]

Formation

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As of 1 April 2016, the fleet consists of 25 10-car sets (numbered 6101 to 6117 and 6151 to 6158), formed as follows.[9]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Designation Tc1 M1 M2 T1 M3 M4 T2 M5 M6 Tc2
Numbering 6100 6200 6300 6400 6500 6600 6700 6800 6900 6000

Cars 2, 5, and 8 are each fitted with a lozenge-type pantograph.[9] In 2018, sets 6101 and 6102[10] were retrofitted with single-arm pantographs.[1]

History

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The 6000 series was introduced into service on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line on 1 June 1992,[4] and on the Seibu Yurakucho Line in 1994 following the latter's expansion to Nerima Station.[1] While the 6000 series was predominantly used on Ikebukuro Line services, some sets saw use on the Shinjuku Line network.[3]

As more trains were required to cope with the increase in capacity brought on by the introduction of Ikebukuro Line and Yurakucho Subway Line through services, which commenced on 26 March 1998, some 6000 series trainsets were cascaded to the Ikebukuro Line and fitted with the equipment necessary for such operation. During this transitional period, sets that were unable to operate on the Yurakucho Subway Line received yellow "S" markers on their front-end skirts to distinguish them from subway-interoperable sets and to prevent them from accidentally entering the subway line.[1] Some sets were initially adorned with green markers, but the colour used was eventually standardized to yellow.[11]

Introduction onto the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line

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Refurbished stainless steel set 6103 in June 2008
Interior of a refurbished aluminium set
Driver's cab of a refurbished 6000 series set

Ahead of the introduction of Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line through services,[1][11] twenty-three 6000 series sets were refurbished between 2006 and 2010. The work included the following:[1]

  • Replacement of roller-blind destination displays with full-colour LED destination displays
  • Installation of external speakers
  • White front ends (originally, they were silver)
  • Remodeled driver's cab
    • Replacement of original two-handle control system replaced with single-handle control system that combines power and braking controls
    • Replacement of original instrument panel to accommodate new train monitoring system
  • Installation of automatic train control (former Shinjuku Line-allocated sets only[11]) and automatic train operation (ATO)

During the refurbishment period, unrefurbished 6000 series sets were affixed with "Y" stickers to indicate their incompatibility for Fukutoshin Line workings.[12] Between 2008 and 2015, the original LED passenger information displays were replaced with 15-inch, double-screen LCD displays.[1]

Through services between the Ikebukuro Line and Fukutoshin Line commenced on 14 June 2008.[13]

Tokyu Toyoko Line/Minatomirai Line interoperation

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On 16 March 2013, 6000 series trains were introduced on Tokyu Toyoko Line and Minatomirai Line through services via the Fukutoshin Line.[14]

Special liveries

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Ikebukuro Line 100th anniversary

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Set 6157 in March 2016

From 18 April 2015, set 6157 was returned to service in a special all-over yellow livery to mark the 100th anniversary of the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. It was scheduled to carry this livery until March 2016.[15]

Seibu Yurakucho Line 40th anniversary

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Set 6117 in October 2023

From 1 October 2023, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Seibu Yurakucho Line,[16] set 6117 returned to service in a yellow-accented livery, reminiscent of the original Tokyo Metro 7000 series livery. It is scheduled to carry this livery for approximately one year.[17]

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Shibata, Togo (18 May 2022). "登場から30周年を迎える西武鉄道6000系 初の地下鉄直通車 違いもいろいろ" [Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Seibu Railway 6000 series' introduction]. Traffic News (in Japanese). Medavague Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.(subscription required)
  2. ^ a b c d 西武6000系 [Seibu 6000 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 32, no. 372. Koyusha Co., Ltd. April 1992 [segment written 31 January 1992]. pp. 30–34. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.(subscription required)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i 大手私鉄の 多数派系列ガイド 10 西武6000・9000系. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 41, no. 482. Koyusha Co., Ltd. June 2001. pp. 75–87.
  4. ^ a b "西武 6000系デビュー30周年で記念乗車券発売 デザインが異なる限定版と通常版の2種類" [Seibu begins selling tickets to commemorate 6000 series' 30th anniversary]. Traffic News (in Japanese). Mediavague Co., Ltd. 26 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  5. ^ a b 西武鉄道6000系アルミ車 [Aluminium-bodied Seibu Railway 6000 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 37, no. 430. Koyusha Co., Ltd. February 1997. pp. 48–50.
  6. ^ SS125 SS025 ／ 西武鉄道6000系 [SS125 SS025 / Seibu Railway 6000 series]. Rail Magazine. Neko Publishing. 24 November 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  7. ^ SS125A SS025A ／ 西武鉄道6000系 [SS125A SS025A / Seibu Railway 6000 series]. Rail Magazine. Neko Publishing. 2 October 2007. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  8. ^ REPORT: 6000系の増備と転配について [REPORT: About expansion and transfer of 6000 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 39, no. 453. Koyusha Co., Ltd. January 1999. p. 113.
  9. ^ a b 私鉄車両編成表 2016 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2016] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 25 July 2016. pp. 49–51. ISBN 978-4-330-70116-5.
  10. ^ Takii, Shoichi (7 July 2018). "西武6000系6102編成の集電装置がシングルアームに" [Seibu 6000 series set 6102 now has single-arm pantographs]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  11. ^ a b c 西武6000系「副都心線」乗入れ対応車 [Seibu 6000 series Fukutoshin Line-compatible car]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 47, no. 553. Koyusha Co., Ltd. May 2007. pp. 93–95.
  12. ^ "東京メトロ7000系・西武6000系に"Y"ステッカー" [Tokyo Metro 7000 series and Seibu 6000 series affixed with "Y" stickers]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 11 June 2008. Archived from the original on 2 January 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  13. ^ 西武鉄道 飯能駅で記念出発式 [Seibu Railway holds departure ceremony at Hanno Station]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 15 June 2008. Archived from the original on 2 January 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  14. ^ Sasaki, Yasuhiro (28 May 2013). "西武対DeNA交流戦記念、両球団ロゴをあしらったラッピング電車運行" [Seibu train decorated with "Seibu vs. DeNA" logos]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  15. ^ 西武「黄色い6000系電車」運転開始 [Seibu "Yellow 6000 series" enters service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 19 April 2015. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  16. ^ 2023年10月1日（日）より、西武有楽町線開通40周年記念車両の運行を開始します！ [From 1 October 2023, Seibu Yurakucho Line 40th anniversary vehicles will begin operating]. Seibu Railway (in Japanese). 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  17. ^ 西武6000系6017編成「西武有楽町線開通40周年記念車両」の運転開始 [Seibu Railway 6000 series set 6017, "Seibu Yurakucho Line 40th Anniversary Commemorative Train," begins operation]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. Retrieved 15 May 2024.

Sources

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  • 私鉄車両年鑑 2012: 大手15社営業用車両完全網羅 私鉄車両年鑑2012 [Japan Private Railways Annual 2012]. Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. February 2012. p. 181. ISBN 978-4-86320-549-9.
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