Tobu 30000 series

The Tobu 30000 series (東武30000系, Tōbu 30000-kei) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) commuter train type operated by the private railway operator Tobu Railway in Japan since 1997.[1] Initially formed as six-car and four-car sets, sets are mostly formed as permanently coupled ten-car formations since 2011.

Tobu 30000 series
30000 series 6-car set 31606 leading a 10-car train in July 2017
Manufacturer	Alna Kōki, Tokyu Car Corporation, Fuji Heavy Industries
Constructed	1996–2003
Entered service	1997
Number built	150 vehicles (30 sets)
Number in service	150 vehicles (30 sets)
Formation	10/6/4 cars per trainset
Operator(s)	Tobu Railway
Depot(s)	Minami-Kurihashi, Shinrinkōen
Line(s) served	Tobu Skytree Line, Tobu Isesaki Line, Tobu Nikko Line, Tobu Tojo Line, Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	20 m (65 ft 7 in)
Doors	4 pairs per side
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Current collection method	Overhead line
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Formations

As of 1 April 2015, the fleet consists of two six-car and two four-car sets based at Minami-Kurihashi and Kasukabe depots for Tobu Skytree Line and Tobu Nikko Line services, and 13 permanently coupled 6+4-car sets based at Shinrinkoen Depot for Tobu Tojo Line services.[2]

10-car Tobu Tojo Line sets

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Designation	Tc2	M2A	M1A	T	T	M3	T1	M2	M1	Tc1
Numbering	34400	33400	32400	31400	36600	35600	34600	33600	32600	31600

• The M1 and M1A cars are each fitted with two single-arm pantographs, and the M3 cars are fitted with one.[2]
• Cars 2, 3, 6, and 9 have wheelchair spaces.[2]

6-car sets

Six-car set 31613 on a Nikko Line service in May 2012

Designation	Tc1	M1	M2	T1	M3	Tc2
Numbering	31600	32600	33600	34600	35600	36600

The M1 cars are fitted with two single-arm pantographs, and the M3 cars are fitted with one.[2]

4-car sets

Four-car set 31407 on a Nikko Line service in November 2013

Designation	Tc1	M1A	M2A	Tc2
Numbering	31400	32400	33400	34400

The M1A cars are fitted with two single-arm pantographs.[2]

Bogies

• 
  SS038 trailer bogie
• 
  SS138 motored bogie

Interior

The first three sets delivered, sets 31601, 31401, and 31402, had flat panels on the seat ends and no centre stanchions. Set 31403 was fitted with contoured seats, and these were fitted on all subsequent sets delivered. Sets 31607 and 31407 onward had higher light blue panels on the seat ends.[1]

• 
  Interior view showing seating style in early sets (car 33405)
• 
  Interior view showing seating style in later sets (car 32612), November 2015
• 
  Priority seating in car 32612, November 2015
• 
  A wheelchair space in car 32612, November 2015

History

A six-car set being delivered in July 2001

The first set, 31601, was delivered in November 1996, with the first trains entering service on 25 March 1997.[1] Initially used primarily on Tobu Isesaki Line services, they were introduced on through-running services to and from the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line via the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line from March 2003.[1]

Transfer to Tojo Line

Permanently coupled sets 31401 and 31601 undergoing driver training on the Tojo Line, April 2011

Permanently coupled intermediate driving cabs of cars 36601 and 31401, April 2011

From January 2011, pairs of four- and six-car sets were transferred to the Tobu Tojo Line, commencing with sets 31601 and 31401.[3] These sets entered revenue service from 13 June 2011 following modifications at Shinrinkōen Depot to form a permanently coupled 10-car set with control equipment and skirts removed from the two intermediate driving cabs.[4]

Fixed 10-car set conversion dates

Set No.	Official modification date
31601+31401	23 March 2011[5]
31602+31402	14 January 2015[2]
31603+31403	3 December 2012[6]
31604+31404	22 March 2013[6]
31605+31405	5 July 2012[6]
31606+31406	23 January 2020
31607+31407	23 October 2014[2]
31608+31408	26 June 2013[7]
31609+31409
31610+31410	3 October 2012[6]
31611+31411	18 November 2011[5]
31612+31412	8 July 2014[2]
31613+31413	27 January 2014[7]
31614+31414	2 September 2014[2]
31615+31415	8 October 2013[7]

References

1. ２００６東武鉄道通勤車両カタログ [2006 Tobu Railway Commuter Rolling Stock Catalogue]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 35 no. 263. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. March 2006. pp. 13–15.
2. 私鉄車両編成表 2015 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2015] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 23 July 2015. pp. 40–42, 204. ISBN 978-4-330-58415-7.
3. 東武30000系31601編成+31401編成が森林公園検修区へ [Tobu 30000 series sets 31601 and 31401 move to Shinrinkōen Depot]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Koyusha Co., Ltd. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
4. 東武鉄道30000系　東上線で運用開始 [Tobu 30000 series enters service on Tojo Line]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 40 no. 329. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. September 2011. p. 73.
5. 私鉄車両編成表 2012 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2012]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. July 2012. p. 199. ISBN 978-4-330-29911-2.
6. 私鉄車両編成表 2013 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2013]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 30 July 2013. p. 205. ISBN 978-4-330-39313-1.
7. 私鉄車両編成表 2014 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2014]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 24 July 2014. p. 199. ISBN 978-4-330-48414-3.

Further reading

• 新車ガイド 東武鉄道30000系 [New Rolling Stock Guide: Tobu 30000 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine. No. 430. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. February 1997.
• 東武鉄道30000系 [Tobu 30000 series]. Railway Journal (364). March 1997.

External links

• Tobu 30000 series (in Japanese)