The Tobu 500 series (), branded , is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Tobu Railway on limited express services in Japan since 21 April 2017. 11 three-car sets (33 vehicles in total) have been built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
Design The trains were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, with exterior and interior styling overseen by Japanese industrial designer Ken Okuyama. The driving cabs at each end of the three-car trainsets includes an automatically extending gangway connection to allow trains to be coupled or split en route.
The trains have active suspension, a first for trains operated by Tobu, and use permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) traction motors.
Naming The trains are branded , a name derived from the English words "Variety" and "Liberty".
Operations
, the trains are used on the following services.
Service name Between Line(s) used Revaty Kegon - Tobu Skytree Line - Tobu Nikko Line Revaty Kinu - Tobu Skytree Line - Tobu Nikko Line - Tobu Kinugawa Line Revaty Aizu - Tobu Skytree Line - Tobu Nikko Line - Tobu Kinugawa Line - Yagan Railway Aizu Kinugawa Line - Aizu Railway Aizu Line Revaty Ryomo - Tobu Skytree Line - Tobu Isesaki Line Skytree Liner - Tobu Skytree Line Urban Park Liner - / Tobu Skytree Line - Tobu Urban Park Line - Tobu Urban Park Line
Exterior The exterior livery consists of "champagne beige" with "forest green" and "future blue" (Tobu's corporate colour) highlights around the windows.
Formation The fleet of three-car sets are formed as follows, with two driving motor ("M") cars and a non-powered trailer ("T") intermediate car.
Designation Mc1 T Mc2 Numbering MoHa 50x-1 SaHa 50x-2 MoHa 50x-3 Capacity (seated/total) 56/112 87/136 56/112 Weight (t) 40.5 35.1 40.4
The two motored cars each have one single-arm pantograph.
Interior Each three-car set has a seating capacity of 161 passengers. Seat pitch is . Interior lighting is LED lighting. Wi-Fi and at-seat AC power sockets are provided.
The automated on-board passenger announcements use the voice of TV presenter .
Toilet facilities Each trainset includes a universal access toilet, western-style toilet, and urinal, located in the centre car.
History
Tobu Railway officially announced initial details of the new trains on 22 April 2015. In April 2016, Tobu announced that the trains would be used on through services between in Tokyo and in Fukushima Prefecture via the Yagan Railway and Aizu Railway Aizu Line from spring 2017.
The first three sets, 501 to 503, were delivered from the Kawasaki Heavy Industries factory in Kobe in December 2016.
The 500 series "Revaty" trains were a recipient of the 2018 Laurel Prize from the Japan Railfan Club.
Sets 509, 510, and 511 were delivered in September 2020. These sets' delivery was the final working on the before its closure.
References
External links
Tobu press release (22 April 2015) Kawasaki Heavy Industries news release (22 April 2015) Ken Okuyama Design news release