Tobu 1800 series

The Tobu 1800 series (東武1800系, Tōbu 1800-kei) was an express electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Tobu Railway in Japan from 1969 to 2018.

Tobu 1800 series
Set 1819 on a seasonal Rapid service in May 2013
In service	1969–2018
Constructed	1969–1987
Entered service	September 1969 - May 2018
Scrapped	May 2018
Number in service	None
Formation	6/8 cars per trainset
Operator(s)	Tobu Railway
Depot(s)	Minami-Kurihashi
Line(s) served	Tobu Skytree Line, Tobu Isesaki Line, Tobu Nikko Line
Specifications
Car body construction	20 m (65 ft 7 in)
Doors	One per side
Maximum speed	110 km/h (70 mph)
Traction system	Resistor control
Acceleration	2.2 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 wire
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Formation

One six-car set remained in operation until May 2018, which was based at Minami-Kurihashi Depot, and formed as follows.[1]

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Designation	Tc2	M3	T1	M1	M2	Tc1
Numbering	1860	1850	1840	1830	1820	1810

Car 4 was fitted with two scissors-type pantographs, and car 2 was fitted with one.[1]

Interior

• 
  Interior view of set 1819 in May 2007

History

The first 1800 series trains entered service on 20 September 1969 on new Ryōmō express services from Asakusa in Tokyo to Akagi in Gunma Prefecture.[2] 18 8-car sets were built between 1969 and 1973. An additional set, 1819, was built in 1987 as a 6-car set to provide increased capacity.[3]

All cars were made no-smoking from 18 March 2007.[1]

With the appearance of the new 250 series EMU, the 1800 series sets were removed from regular Ryōmō services from 1 April 1998. The remaining set, 1819, was subsequently used for charter trains and seasonal extra services.[1]

The last set was retired on 21 May 2018.[4]

Conversions

300/350 series

A 350 series set on a Kirifuri service in July 2008

Main article: Tobu 300 series

From 1990, two 1800 series sets were modified to become 6-car 300 series sets, and from 1991, three more sets were modified to become 4-car 350 series sets. These entered service from 21 July 1991, replacing 6050 series on express services on the Nikko Line.[3]

Commuter version

1800 series 4-car commuter version

Three sets (1811–1813) were kept in storage next to Tatebayashi Station from April 1998 following their withdrawal from Ryomo services. These were subsequently shortened to 4-car sets and modified for use on commuter services on the Sano Line and Koizumi Line from 23 April 2001, allowing ageing 5000 series EMUs to be withdrawn. Conversion involved arranging the seats in fixed 4-seat facing bays, removal of the vestibule partitions, and repainting in the Tobu commuter stock colour scheme of white with blue bodyline stripes.[2] These sets were finally withdrawn in early 2007.

References

1. 私鉄車両編成表 2016 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2016] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 25 July 2016. p. 38. ISBN 978-4-330-70116-5.
2. "２００６東武鉄道通勤車両カタログ" [2006 Tobu Railway Commuter Rolling Stock Catalogue]. Tetsudo Daiya Joho Magazine. Vol. 35 no. 263. Kotsu Shimbun. March 2006. pp. 21–26.
3. "２００６東武鉄道優等車両カタログ" [2006 Tobu Railway Express Rolling Stock Catalogue]. Tetsudo Daiya Joho Magazine. Vol. 35 no. 264. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. April 2006. pp. 27–28.
4. 東武鉄道1800系引退記念乗車券を発売 - 台紙に急行時代の写真も [Commemorative ticket released for Tobu 1800 series retirement, pictures framed showing Limited Express service life]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 10 May 2018. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.

External links

• Tobu 1800 series set 1819 (in Japanese)