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Nishitetsu 8000 series

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Nishitetsu 8000 series
An 8000 series set in April 2011
In serviceMarch 1989 – October 2017
ManufacturerKawasaki Heavy Industries
Constructed1989
Entered service10 March 1989
Number built36 vehicles (6 sets)
Number in serviceNone
Number scrapped24 vehicles (4 sets)
Formation6 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers8011 – 8061
OperatorsNishi-Nippon Railroad
DepotsChikushi
Lines servedNishitetsu Tenjin Ōmuta Line
Dazaifu Line
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length19,500 mm (64 ft 0 in)
Width2,716 mm (8 ft 10.9 in)
Height4,170 mm (13 ft 8 in)
Doors2 pairs per side
Maximum speed110 km/h (70 mph)
Traction systemResistor control
Acceleration2.5 km/h/s
Deceleration3.5 km/h/s (service brake)
4.0 km/h/s (emergency brake)
Power supply1,500 V DC
Current collector(s)Overhead catenary
BogiesKW60A (powered cars)
KW61A (trailer cars)
Braking system(s)Electronically controlled pneumatic brakes with dynamic braking
Safety system(s)Nishitetsu ATS
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

The Nishitetsu 8000 series (西鉄8000形) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type that was operated by the private railway operator Nishi-Nippon Railroad (Nishitetsu) in Japan on the Nishitetsu Tenjin Ōmuta Line from 1989 to 2017.

Design

Six 8000 series trains were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in 1989;[1] the first three sets were constructed in February 1989, with the other three sets constructed in April the same year.[2]

Unlike most trains made during this period, the 8000 series uses resistor control, something which would have been classified as obsolete during the time due to the advent of the variable-frequency drive. Initially, there were plans for the 8000 series to use a control method other than resistor control, but due to a combination of factors, the idea was soon dropped.[3]

Operations

The 8000 series trains operated on the Nishitetsu Tenjin Ōmuta and Dazaifu Lines and were mainly used on limited express services.

Formations

The six six-car sets are formed as follows with four motored ("M") cars and two trailer ("Tc") cars, with car number 1 facing the Ōmuta end and car number 6 facing the Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) or Dazaifu end.

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Designation Tc M M M M Tc
Numbering 80x1 80x2 80x3 80x4 80x5 80x6
Weight (t) 29.3 37.2 35.6 37.2 35.5 29.3
Capacity (Seated/total) 50/116 60/130 59/128 60/130 60/130 50/116

Cars 2 and 5 have two lozenge-type pantographs each.

Interior

Passenger accommodation consists of 2+2 transverse bucket seating with a seat width of 900 mm (35 in) per person; seats closer to the doors are bench seats. Both types of seats have the same wine-colored upholstery with a checkered pattern.

  • The interior of intermediate car 8065 in October 2012
    The interior of intermediate car 8065 in October 2012

Conversions

Tabito excursion train

This was a six-car set converted from 8000 series set 8051 in 2014. The Tabito set differs from a normal 8000 series set by its livery and certain changes to its interior, such as the addition of a cabinet and a table with some leaflets in car number 3. This set entered service on 22 March 2014, and was withdrawn from service on 16 September 2017; the set was replaced with a 3000 series set with a similar livery.[4] A handing over ceremony was later held at Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station after the 8000 series Tabito set completed its last run.[5]

Following its retirement from the Tabito service, the special livery it used was removed and it was returned to its original colors of beige with red accents, and was almost fully restored back to its original condition.[6] The set was then used for a few more special runs before being finally withdrawn on 15 October 2017.[7]

  • The Tabito set in September 2014
    The Tabito set in September 2014

Suito excursion train

This was a six-car set converted from 8000 series set 8061 in 2015. The Suito set differs from a normal 8000 series set by its livery and certain changes to its interior, such as the addition of a table with commemorative stamp pads and a cabinet displaying antiques in car number 3. This set entered service on 4 October 2015[8] and was retired on 22 July 2017 due to aging; the set was replaced by a 3000 series set with a similar livery. As with the Tabito set, the Suito set was used for a special final run from Chikushi to Fukuoka (Tenjin) on 22 July 2017, with a handing over ceremony taking place at Fukuoka (Tenjin). After its final run, the set made its way to the Chikushi Depot.

  • The Suito set in November 2015
    The Suito set in November 2015

History

The trains were constructed in 1989 as the third generation of limited express trains on the Nishi-Nippon Railway, following in the footsteps of the older 1000 series and 2000 series, with the latter already being 15 years old by the time the 8000 series were introduced.[9]

Two sets were converted to excursion trains in 2014 and 2015, and were used until 2017. The last remaining set, 8051, was used for a special final run on 15 October 2017, from Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) to Chikushi Station, following which, the 8000 series was officially withdrawn.[10] After its run from Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) to Chikushi, the set made its way to the Nishitetsu Train Festival at Chikushi Depot, where it was exhibited.[7]

  • Set 8051 at Chikushi Depot on 15 October 2017
    Set 8051 at Chikushi Depot on 15 October 2017

References

  1. ^ 鉄道ピクトリアルNo.847 [The Railway Pictorial No. 847]. The Railway Pictorial (in Japanese). No. 847. Japan: Denkisya Kenkyukai Co., Ltd. April 2011. p. 274.
  2. ^ 鉄道ピクトリアルNo.847 [The Railway Pictorial No. 847]. The Railway Pictorial (in Japanese). No. 847. Japan: Denkisya Kenkyukai Co., Ltd. April 2011. p. 268–269.
  3. ^ 1999年4月臨時増刊号 [Supplementary April 1999 issue]. The Railway Pictorial (in Japanese). Japan: Denkisya Kenkyukai Co., Ltd. April 1999. p. 34.
  4. ^ 太宰府観光列車「旅人－たびと－」リニューアル！ [Renewal of the Dazaifu Sightseeing Train "Tabito"!] (PDF). Nishi-Nippon Railroad (in Japanese). Japan. 2 October 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  5. ^ 西日本鉄道 「旅人」3000形に車両交代 [Tabito excursion train is now run by the 3000 series]. Transport Newspaper (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. September 2017.
  6. ^ 原色に戻された西鉄8000形が運転される [Nishitetsu 8000 series being run in its original colors]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 9 October 2017. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  7. ^ a b 西鉄8000形がラストランを迎える [Last run of the Nishitetsu 8000 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 16 October 2017. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  8. ^ 10/4 柳川観光列車「水都」いよいよ運行開始します！ [Yanagawa's Suito excursion train is finally running on October 4!] (PDF). Press Release (in Japanese). Japan: Nishi-Nippon Railroad. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  9. ^ 鉄道ピクトリアルNo.517 [The Railway Pictorial No. 517]. The Railway Pictorial (in Japanese). No. 517. Japan: Denkisya Kenkyukai Co., Ltd. September 1989. p. 23.
  10. ^ 西鉄電車8000形 引退イベント開催！ [Retirement event for the Nishitetsu 8000 series to be held!] (PDF). Press Release (in Japanese). Japan: Nishi-Nippon Railroad. 2 October 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
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