Kintetsu 50000 series

The Kintetsu 50000 series (近鉄50000系) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Japanese private railway operator Kintetsu Railway for use on luxury Shimakaze limited express services since March 2013.[1]

Kintetsu 50000 series
A Kintetsu 50000 series EMU on a Shimakaze service, April 2013
In service	21 March 2013–
Manufacturer	Kinki Sharyo
Family name	Shimakaze
Constructed	2012-2014
Number built	18 vehicles (3 sets)
Number in service	18 vehicles (3 sets)
Formation	6 cars per trainset
Operator(s)	Kintetsu Railway
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel
Car length	21,600 mm (70 ft 10 in) (end cars) 20,500 mm (67 ft 3 in) (intermediate cars)
Width	2,800 mm (9 ft 2 in)
Height	4,150 mm (13 ft 7 in)
Doors	Plug doors (1 per side)
Maximum speed	130 km/h (80 mph)
Traction system	2-level PWM variable-frequency (using IGBT)
Acceleration	2.5 km/h/s
Deceleration	4.0 km/h/s
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Current collection method	Overhead line
Bogies	KD-320 (motored), KD-320A (trailer)
Safety system(s)	ATS
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in)

Operations

The trains entered revenue service from 21 March 2013 on daily Shimakaze limited express services from Ōsaka Namba and Kintetsu Nagoya to Kashikojima on the Shima Line.[2][3]

A special supplement is required to travel on these services, in addition to the basic fare and limited express charge.[2] The 50000 Series is one of the only normal service trains (as opposed to cruise trains and tourist excursions) to feature a dining car in Japan.

Formation

The three six-car trains are formed as shown below.[1][4]

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Numbering	Ku 50600	Mo 50500	Sa 50400	Mo 50300	Mo 50200	Ku 50100
Capacity	27	28	19	26	30	27
Weight (t)	44.0	49.0	39.0	47.0	49.0	44.0
Facilities	-	Wheelchair accessible WC	Cafeteria	WC, smoking compartment	WC	-

Car 2 is fitted with two PT126-A single-arm pantographs, and cars 4 and 5 are each fitted with one.[1]

• 
  Ku 50102
• 
  Mo 50202
• 
  Mo 50302
• 
  Sa 50402
• 
  Mo 50502
• 
  Ku 50602

Interior

Seating in cars 1, 2, 5, and 6 is arranged 2+1 abreast, with a seat pitch of 1,250 mm (49 in).[5] The seats are covered in cream-coloured leather and feature individual controls for lumbar support and an inflate/deflate feature to help customers relax.[6] Car 3 features cafeteria seating on two levels (6 seats on the lower level and 13 on the upper level).[5] The upper level of the car features a wave-pattern counter along one side of the car. A spacious wheelchair-accessible toilet features a changing board for passengers to stand on to change clothes. The car also features a powder room for female passengers.[6] Car 4 features 4-person Japanese and western-style compartments and 6-person semi-open compartments.[5]

• 
  Open saloon seating
• 
  Compartment seating

Exterior

The train is painted in a sky blue and crystal white livery, reminiscent of the Ise-Shima ocean resort region. The train is named for the Shima region, and kaze, Japanese for "wind".[6]

Bogies

The trains run on bolsterless bogies with full active suspension.[4] The motored bogies are designated KD-320, and the trailer bogies are designated KD-320A.[4]

• 
  Motored KD-320 bogie (top) and trailer KD-320A bogie (bottom)

History

Starting in 2009, market research was conducted to help design the train; over 14,000 people were asked for their opinion. The study showed that over 60% of visitors to the region were female; this information was used to add the fitting boards and powder rooms to the design.[6] The first 50000 series set was delivered from Kinki Sharyo in September 2012.[2] The two trainsets entered revenue service on 21 March 2013.[3] In May 2014, the 50000 series was awarded the 2014 Blue Ribbon Award, presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club.[7] A presentation ceremony was held on 20 September 2014 at Kyoto Station.[8]

A third set entered service in October 2014.[9]

References

1. 近畿日本鉄道50000系「しまかぜ」3月21日運転開始 [Kintetsu 50000 series "Shimakaze" to enter service 21 March]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 42 no. 347. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. March 2013. pp. 68–70.
2. "近畿日本鉄道５００００系伊勢志摩特急「しまかぜ」２０１３年３月にデビュー" [Kintetsu 50000 series Ise-Shima limited express "Shimakaze" to debut in March 2013]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 41 no. 343. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. November 2012. p. 71.
3. 新型観光特急"しまかぜ"デビュー [New Shimakaze tourist limited express enters service]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
4. Okuyama, Motoki (April 2013). 近畿日本鉄道50000系 [Kintetsu 50000 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 53 no. 624. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 54–63.
5. 次世代 新型観光特急「しまかぜ」、平成２５年３月２１日デビュー！ [Next-generation tourist express "Shimakase" to debut on 21 March 2013!] (PDF). News Release (in Japanese). Japan: Kintetsu Corporation. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
6. Japan Railway Journal- Premium Express Shimakaze: A Train of Dreams to Reality. NHK. 2016. Event occurs at 8:58. Archived from the original on 16 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
7. ブルーリボン賞・ローレル賞　選定車両一覧 [Blue Ribbon Award & Laurel Prize Winner List] (in Japanese). Japan: Japan Railfan Club. 26 May 2014. Archived from the original on 26 October 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
8. 近鉄50000系 ブルーリボン賞を受賞 [Kintetsu 50000 series receives Blue Ribbon Award]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 54 no. 644. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. December 2014. p. 65.
9. 近畿日本鉄道50000系3次車 [Kintetsu 50000 series 3rd-batch trainset]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 54 no. 644. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. December 2014. pp. 64–65.

External links

• Kintetsu Shimakaze (in Japanese)