Izukyu 100 series

Data (as of 20 Oct 2022)

*Withdrawn from regular service in 2002.

History

The 100 series was the very first rolling stock of Izukyu, introduced when Izu Kyuko Line was opened in 1961. Since Izu Kyuko Line was designed to provide through-services towards Ito Line of Japanese National Railways, the 100 series was based on JNR 153 series (in service: 1958-83), but the exterior was similar to Tokyu 6000 series (in service: 1960-89). To attract tourists from Tokyo, the 100 series had various features not only transverse seating with two sets of doors per carriage, but also first class coach (later Green Car) and dining cars.

Weeks before Izu Kyuko Line was opened, the 100 series ran Tokyu Toyoko Line as advert trains, as staffs of Tokyu (Izukyu's parent company) considered them a good way to encourage tourists to visit Izu Kyuko Line. The trains entered service in 1961, and they were also used on JNR Ito Line.

There were several types, and they were flexible enough to be formed of one to ten coaches. Dining cars were donated by Suntory so that Suntory's products (both alcohol and soft drink) were served. Double-ended trains were also used for small freight trains on the line.

Izu Kyuko Line was a huge success especially in summer. Izukyu had to borrow Tokyu's rolling stock to deal with significant congestion, and Izukyu introduced more 100 series trains. However, dining cars were not successful as JNR did not allow them to operate on Ito Line so that they ceased operation in 1969, and converted to standard class coaches by 1974. All but one Green Cars were also converted to standard class by 1986. In 1979 and 1983, Izukyu refurbished a few 100 series and renamed them 1000 series, but the refurbishment programme was not carried out further.

The 100 series declined in the early-1990s as 2100 series Resort 21 was introduced. All 100 series trains were replaced with 200 series (ex-JNR 113 series and 115 series) by 2002.

After 2002, a double-ended train (No. 103) remained as a shunter at a depot. Engineers restored it in 2011 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the company. No. 103 was reinstated and used for rail tours and in films, but it could no longer run Ito Line. Due to incompatibility with new signalling system, No. 103 was withdrawn from mainline in 2019. It has been abandoned near Izu-Kogen station since then.