Keisei 3300 series
Hokuso 7260 series

Data (as of 14 Sep 2021)

History

The 3300 series was a part of old-3000 series group, which was first introduced in 1958 (and completely different from 3000 series of today). Like other types of the group, the 3300 series was introduced to through-services towards Toei Asakusa and Keikyu lines, formed four, six or eight coaches. They had longitudinal seating, but a few of them had transverse seating in the early-1990s as a test.

They were initially used for the through-services, but taken out from them in 1991. Since then, they had mostly been used on Keisei Main, Chiba (including Chihara) and Kanamachi Lines. In 2006, two four-carriage units were leased to Hokuso Railway and renamed 7260 series. Unlike the original 3300 series, the 7260 series had been used for the through-services towards Toei Asakusa and Keikyu lines until the very end. The 7260 series had been a major cause of delays on Keikyu lines as it was slower than other trains.

The withdrawal of the 3300 series commenced in 2007, and three units were repainted to iconic liveries. Enthusiasts regarded them as an indication of retirement, but they remained in service longer than expected. Both the 3300 and 7260 series retired in 2015.

Photos

The original livery.

Keisei trains in the 1940s and 50s were painted as such. The 3300 series had never been like this, but Keisei repainted one in 2009.

They were repainted Fire Orange in the 80s to reduce costs. As it happens, 火の車 (fiery vehicle) means extreme poverty in Japanese.

Hokuso 7260 series was always formed of eight coaches.