Keikyu 1500 series

Data (as of 12 Jan 2024)

History

The 1500 series is the oldest train type among all Keikyu's rolling stock for passenger service. They can also run Toei Asakusa, Keisei and Hokuso lines, but not Narita Sky Access Line. Bodies of the first 20 carriages were made of stainless, but the rest of them are made of aluminium. They look slightly different, but most people would not realise it. Traction of the last 36 carriages have been inverter-controlled.

Each unit is formed of six or eight coaches, and have been used on the entire Keikyu network and through services towards other lines aforementioned. However, as 1000 series (Ⅱ) was introduced, many four-car units and eight-car units were rearranged to six-car units, replacing 1000 series (Ⅰ). Keikyu replaced traction of these six-car units with new inverters in the mid-2000s and 2010s.

Withdrawal commenced in 2021, and all four-car units retired in 2023, meaning that no 1500 series train can enter Daishi Line.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

Six-car units are used for stopping and Express services on Main, Airport and Zushi Lines. The through-services of the 1500 series have been declining since 2010, and only four eight-car units are used for them.

Keikyu has been introducing more 1000 series (Ⅱ) since 2021, and all trainsets are likely to be withdrawn by 2030.

Photos

Special red livery in 2014, celebrating once-a-decade event at Kawasaki Daishi temple (unveiling a treasured Buddha statue).

A unit decorated with four liveries. The first two were "heritage liveries" in the 1920s and 50s, respectively.

This unit was painted as such in 2018 commemorating the 120th anniversary of Keikyu.